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‘Driving dynamism’: why employers are keen to recruit international graduates

‘Driving dynamism’: why employers are keen to recruit international graduates

“International students drive dynamism on so many levels.” Those are the words of the UK’s education secretary Bridget Phillipson in a 2024 speech that welcomed international students to the UK. So what are the key dynamic qualities that international graduates possess that put them on the pathway to career success? Let’s take a look at the evidence, and hear how recent graduates from UK universities have leveraged their international backgrounds to help them land their dream jobs.

Bravery, resilience and adaptability

Just by taking the great step to come to the UK from their home countries, international students demonstrate their courage to future employers. In her speech to the Embassy Education Conference, Ms Phillipson praised international students for this bravery.

“They move to a new culture, far away from their homes and their families,” she said. “They take a leap of faith, hoping to develop new skills and chase new horizons. And I am enormously proud that so many want to take that leap here in the UK.” 

That is echoed by Kika from Spain, who graduated from UWE Bristol. She advises international students to "tell employers what [they] bring to the table".

“You are already living independently, you're out of your comfort zone, you can offer two languages,” she says. “These are excellent experiences and assets for an employer.

“And the fact that you’re willing to move away from home, and that you’ve done this for a reason, for a better opportunity, is something that you should take pride in, so make sure you brand your international experience confidently and effectively to employers, as it can really impress them.”

And Diksha from India, who graduated in engineering from UWE Bristol and now works for a UK aviation company, agrees.

“Being an international student is proof that you are resilient and can adapt, for example to a new team in a new job,” she says. “These are aspects I really found myself talking about a lot at interview, and they were qualities the employer was really interested in.”

Communication skills and teamwork

Another key asset is communication ability: it was the most sought-after skill by employers in 2024, according to LinkedIn research. International students will develop it through taking a UK degree, where they’ll hone their English language skills and learn to work with people from around the world.

Kika says: “The fact that you know at least two different cultures enhances your ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds, which is key to every company I’ve worked with.”

And Diksha urges: “Leverage the fact that you're an international student. In your job you are more than likely to be working with international teams, with people from different cultures, and you can leverage that you have connected with people in this kind of situation, that you can connect with customers or teammates abroad.”

Diversity, equality and inclusion

By bringing multicultural perspectives, international students can also drive innovation and performance, boosting their future companies’ bottom lines!

Prospective employers will be increasingly aware of the business case for a more ethnically diverse workforce.

Research by McKinsey carried out in several countries including the UK, US and India found that those with executive teams in the top quartile of ethnic representation have a 39% increased likelihood of financial outperformance compared with those in the bottom quartile.

And those in the bottom quartile for both gender and ethnic diversity are 66% less likely to outperform financially than the average, up from 27% in 2020, “indicating that lack of diversity may be getting more expensive”.

Sanad from Libya, who works as a consultant for Oracle after graduating from UWE Bristol, advises: “Highlight the unique skills and multicultural perspective you bring as an international student, showcasing the advantages of your diverse background.”

And Ahmed from Sudan, who studied IT at UWE Bristol and now works as a Microsoft consultant, agrees, saying: “Don't see your lack of UK experience as a weakness. Instead, use your international experience and any additional languages you speak as a strength. The unique perspectives and experiences you bring can be very valuable in today's global marketplace.”

Register with Gradlink today

At Gradlink, we bring together international students at UK universities with employers seeking resilient teamplayers with diverse perspectives. Register with Gradlink today for our database of global employers, job listings and free careers advice.