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5 ways to increase your employability this summer

It’s coming to the end of the year and that final push to find employment in your chosen field.  It can be overwhelming when trying to prioritise what you need to do and when.  Luckily, here at GradLink we’re here to help with some top tips to ensure you’re ready for employment and your future career.

  Meet your university’s careers team

The careers team at your institution are there to help you, so make the most of the service and reap the benefits of their knowledge and advice. They’re trained to look at CVs, applications and give interview tips. Need help to decide which direction to go in? Your careers team can find out what you’re good at, suggest careers that might really excite you and show you how to reach your full potential.  Most universities also have services available for alumni, accessible wherever you are in the world through email or Skype chats. So, if you have already graduated, don’t forget to contact your institution and utilise all that career knowledge before taking your next step.

Start a volunteering programme

Putting the skills you already have to good use through volunteering projects will do wonders for your job prospects.  Think of where your skills lie and what might impress future employers. There are often voluntary roles that give you the chance to showcase your talents while helping others – think conservation or silver surfer programmes, where you help older people gain experience with IT. Worried about volunteering around your academic timetable? Just look for posts that have lower contact times or one-off opportunities.

Build on your language skills

As an international student you may have an extra language – and that’s a unique selling point. If you have a particular country you’d like to work in, why not start an online language course to show how dedicated you are? Many universities have intercultural activities, which include language exchange programmes and events.  Students get matched with a buddy and meet regularly speaking for half the session in one language then switching to the other. This is a fantastic way to learn about another culture, learn a language and, of course, add something useful to your CV.

Start your job hunt

It sounds obvious but try to get on top of your career search as early as possible – if it’s just to get an idea of what’s out there. Find job sites that cater for you and careers events where you can speak to companies in person to find out if you would like to work for them and what opportunities they’ve got coming up. GradLink is made especially for international students and features job boards with opportunities from top companies like KPMG, Microsoft and IBM.

Go above and beyond

Does your institution offer any programmes for International students that could help you gain extra qualifications or credits? Universities like UWE Bristol have an International Talent Internship Scheme which, in partnership with Santander, funds students to work for two weeks with regional companies and organisations that are looking to internationalise in some capacity. Think about the time you have and how you can use your unique skills and knowledge to really stand out from the crowd.

For more CV advice, events and jobs with more than 400 employers check out   GradLink UK today.