Career Advice Detail South Asia

General tips for finding and applying for a graduate job in Pakistan

Overview

Pakistan is one of the most populous countries in the world with a large labour force. Its labour market is growing rapidly, however, it’s not necessarily translating into more employment opportunities. The country has a significant informal sector which accounts for over 73% of all main jobs outside agriculture.

Digital skills are a top priority for graduate employers in Pakistan owing to a booming IT sector and the country’s rapidly growing freelancer market, which is the third fastest growing market globally. Recent acceleration of digitalisation has resulted in higher demand for basic digital skills. Jobs in IT, project management, healthcare, marketing, and cyber security are currently in high demand.

Both the government and employers have important yet distinct roles to play in upskilling Pakistan: while employees expect the government to provide financial incentives, they point to employers as being responsible for providing access to diversified skilling programmes and information on the skills needed for different roles.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are known for their capacity to generate jobs. A growing number of workers are using their skills to work as freelancers for global employers. Employees from Pakistan are often preferred by companies looking for remote workers due to their English fluency, strong work ethic and willingness to adapt to different time zones. They are also known for their cultural diversity, which can enhance a company's productivity and business strategy.

There are many challenges facing the labour market in Pakistan, including low female participation rates and a mismatch between supply and demand for skilled workers.

Tips

Your professional identity and brand:

Selling the value of your UK education in cover letters, CV, and on LinkedIn (where 77% of recruiters hire from).
Demonstrate how you utilised the skills acquired in the UK either at university or in a work placement. For example, solving a problem whilst working on a group project, taking the initiative with something.
Take care in crafting your LinkedIn profile by viewing others and doing some online research. Include information that illustrates your skills and experiences.
Network strategically and don’t be afraid to connect with people and ask questions. Also, tap into alumni networks.

Your professional development:

Take advantage of online learning resources like LinkedIn learning and university workshops.
Gain work experience either in Pakistan or in the UK before you graduate. This shows employers that you have skills required for working binationally.
Speak to your university’s career team to learn more about how to make key career-related decisions and your opportunities upon graduation.
Have a “growth mindset” and continually upskill by pursuing certifications (which can often be found online). You can also learn skills related to IT and computing.
Consider freelancing and remote work platforms like UpWork. These can provide you work experience and help you build your reputation with employers.

Applying for jobs:

Make sure to do your homework about the company or sector you’re applying to work in. Showing employers that you’re suitably prepared is vital.
Explain how your experience in the UK has benefitted you both personally and professionally.
Your personal development can be as important as your professional development. For example, if by living in the UK you’ve learned about other people and cultures you should mention this and how it makes you a more rounded professional.
Proofread your cover letter and CV and ask a friend to read them before you send them off. Make sure there aren’t any spelling or grammar mistakes, that the font in consistent and clear, and that your CV isn’t too long.
Remember, some employers might have many applicants for a job, so you need to make sure your CV stands out. Make sure it’s short (employers will sometimes only spend a few seconds looking at a CV) and that you’ve highlighted key skills and achievements.
Understand differences in expectations with local vs international firms. You might need to adapt your CV and cover letters to align with Pakistani hiring norms.
Stay updated with industry trends.
Don’t begin with too high expectations. Sometimes, “getting your foot in the door” by taking on junior positions can lead to unexpected opportunities. Taking these roles might not pay off financially immediately, but they certainly might in the long run.

Writing a CV

In Pakistan, a CV should typically follow a reverse-chronological format, starting with your most recent job at the top and working backwards. It should include your contact information, career objective, education, employment history, skills, and references if available. The CV should be clear, concise, and free of errors. It's also important to adapt your CV to the specific job you're applying for, highlighting relevant skills and experience.

Preparing for Interview

Understanding the Job Description: the job description outlines the key skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is looking for. By reading it closely, you get a clear idea of what the company values in a candidate. The job description often hints at the questions you might be asked during the interview. By analyzing it, you can prepare examples from your previous experience that match the role’s needs.
Researching the Company: research the company’s culture, values, recent developments, and understanding the industry landscape, so that you can show you’re a good fit for the organisation. Visit the company's website and social media platforms and research when they have been in the news.
Learn about developments in the sector: check news articles and press releases. Look for industry websites or publications that provide news and reports on the sector the company operates in. For example, if the company is in the telecommunications industry, you could visit websites that cover telecommunications news.