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What can international students do for their employability this holiday season?

This Christmas, most international students will be trying to recuperate from a long term of studying and navigating the current climate. This holiday is a great opportunity to rest after a busy year and start planning for next year. Being prepared is key for international students, so amongst the festivities, see if there are any ways you can progress or take a step towards your graduate job.

Update or create your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn accounts are a great way to network especially when face-to-face events have not been able to proceed recently and is one of the best ways to access jobs and work experience with an employer in the UK. Use your profile to connect with international alumni from your university and those in the industry for your chosen career. Our first tip is to include a profile photo before you connect with anyone. Reports show that you’re 12 times more likely to get a response with a picture in your profile. Choose an appropriate photo depending on the type of industry you would like to work in, generally speaking, a professional and friendly picture is a great start. Your LinkedIn profile can become a powerful career tool, and starting your account while studying means you’ll be able to utilise connections from each stage of your career. Watch our webinar on Building your UK network on LinkedIn for all our tips on building a profile that will help you stand out here.

Research employers and roles

One way of preparing for your job search is to know what you’re looking for. Start looking at your wishlist of the top employers you would like to work for. Use this to find roles that either match your skills and degree or use the information to work out what work experience will help you get your dream job. By researching key employers in your chosen industry, you’ll be able to see patterns in skills you’ll need and what you like about certain companies. You can then use this information to find a graduate role that you want and is well suited to you.

Plan for next year’s success

As we near the end of the year, it’s natural to look back on how far you’ve come and what you hope for from the coming year. Try to think about what you would like to achieve in 2022, will you still be studying, or will you have graduated? Think of work experience you would like to add, events that can help you network or learn, and add these to your diary to motivate you. Put in a few markers for next year so you’re accountable for the things you would like to achieve. It can be as simple as a reminder to book an appointment with the careers team at your institution next term so you can discuss careers events and opportunities that will be beneficial for you. For more news and updates for international students sign up for our newsletter or register with us for free today!