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How to get a job in the UK after graduation

Graduation is one of those life events that seems so far away and then suddenly creeps up on you. But as exciting as it will be, many students find themselves looking beyond the robes and onto their next step.

Brexit may have cast a shadow over immigration, but international students themselves are still an invaluable asset to the UK. In fact, according to research from Oxford Economics, international students that come to the UK generate more than £25m for the economy and provide a boost to regional jobs and local businesses. Couple that with data from Highfliers Research which found that the majority of UK businesses plan to increase graduate recruitment this year, and you can see why so many students are reluctant to bid the UK adieu straight away.

But what happens once the mortar boards have been thrown? Here’s a short guide to job hunting for international graduates.  

Check your visa

The first step is to check your visa (if you have one) to see what work you can legally do. The UK’s current system allows students to stay in the UK to work under Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the five-tier system.

Spruce up your CV

Employers in the UK look for candidates with a range of both academic and extracurricular skills. So before you send off that glistening CV, there are a few things that you may have done during your time at university that, when included, can make you more employable. These include work experience, be it full-time, part-time, an internship or a placement; academic activities, like group projects; and extracurricular activities, like societies, sports or student union work.

Remember that as an international student, you have a unique set of experiences that are sure to catch the eye of hiring managers. So capitalise on your global vision, knowledge of international markets and the independence gained from living so far from home.

The job hunt begins

Once the CV is ready, it’s time to start looking for work. You should search job boards, update your LinkedIn page and consider which direction you want to take – do you want to enter a graduate scheme straight away, or would you rather work part-time so you can keep on enjoying your social life?

If you want to apply for a graduate scheme, which are typically hosted by larger organisations, you should research the company and find out when entries open. Usually, they recruit up to a year before and so applications can close as early as October. For direct entry roles, which is the more common option, you can apply right away; but as these roles are normally provided by smaller companies, it is worth checking to see if they can sponsor international students.

Whichever route you choose, job sites like GradLink are a great way to view and apply for a myriad of vacancies in one place – why not sign up with us for free today?