Tips for international students to increase their employability in the UK

Posted date: 03 Feb 2022

Known as the hub of top universities, the UK is the ultimate study abroad destination for millions of international students. And with great diversity, excellent work opportunities and a high quality of living, there is no denying the fact that many students would like to continue living and working in the country once they have finished their postgraduate studies. Since there is already cut-throat competition for every job role in the market, it is essential to make yourself stand out from others. While you must work hard to achieve good grades in your university examinations while studying your master’s degree, don’t forget to focus on areas other than your postgraduate experience. So, check out these valuable tips on how you can increase your employability in the UK.

Work on your soft skills: It can’t be emphasized enough how necessary soft skills are in professional settings. Also referred to as the C-skills, soft skills are personal attributes and interpersonal skills that help build, maintain and improve professional relationships. Recruiters generally look for candidates who possess these skills, such as communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, teamwork, etc. You can learn or master the art of soft skills, and it is never too early or too late to begin as they remain relevant throughout your career.

Improve your language skills: English is widely used in business, diplomacy and the academic community worldwide, and being fluent and articulate in the language can give you an edge over others on various levels. It is understandable to find difficulty learning or improving your English language skills as most international students speak other languages or know English as a second language. But remember, you can always improve your language game simply by practicing it with consistency.

Enroll in clubs and societies: You are unlikely to get your dream job solely based on your academic achievements as recruiters are also interested to learn about your passion, hobbies and any skills or interests that you have outside your studies. So, it is crucial to enroll yourself into societies or clubs or societies at your university during your time there. Besides enhancing your skills, societies and clubs are a great way to socialize and network. You will meet many like-minded people from whom you can learn many things. You can also sign up for leadership roles, and with leadership experience, you can list your roles and responsibilities in your resume, such as managing a team well during a university event. In a nutshell, joining clubs and societies enable you to acquire updates on what is happening in the industry you want to work in.

Focus on networking: You will often find people giving you advice along the lines of, “It is important what you know, but who you know is more important.” The numerous opportunities you will get to meet the right people at the right time will not be accessible via job applications or sending cold emails to the company. It is crucial to invest your time and effort in networking effectively. So, attend job and career fairs, networking events at your university, join clubs and societies to maintain professional relationships with your professors, peers and join social media groups.

Relevant work experience: What you study in classrooms is your theoretical knowledge, but when you apply those skills in real life, in the form of a postgraduate internship or a part-time job, it gives you hands-on experience in your chosen field. Thus, providing you with the practical knowledge, industry insights and relevant skill set needed to immerse fully in the corporate culture. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start working even during your university life if at all possible. It will not only hone your technical skills but also help you grasp many transferable skills, which every employer seeks in a candidate.

Update your CV regularly: Last, but not least, always keep your CV up-to-date. You never know when you might come across a golden opportunity and need your resume right away! So, make a habit of updating it whenever you complete an online course, internship, training program, or any other relevant activity.

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GSP Admin