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How international students can apply for jobs remotely

As the months continue, it’s clear that a few things will change as a result of Covid-19, and one of them is graduate recruitment. The new ways of recruiting are going to be different, but different doesn’t need to mean bad…this is an opportunity for international students and graduates to show their value using their unique selling points to secure a graduate role. We’ve put together some tips for applying for jobs remotely to help with the transition.

What can you expect?

Companies will have made changes to some of their procedures, meaning some may have different timings for offering positions while others focus on finding candidates that can work autonomously. Most companies will have experienced at least a few months where all staff were required to work from home, so, when looking for new graduates the ability to self-motivate could be more important than it used to be. For those of you still studying, this is a skill you can display through your reaction to studying from home while universities closed. Use your experience of learning at home to prove to employers that you are resilient and can still work hard without any colleagues around you.

 When it comes to the interview, LinkedIn News comment that “video interviews tend to contain less small talk and be shorter than in-person meetings. So, it’s even more important that you make an effort to form a bond with the person on the other side of the screen.” They suggest “looking for things to talk about on the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile, for example. Or, you can mention something they said on a podcast or elsewhere.” Research is key for any interview but in a video interview, it could help give you another way to show your dedication. Here are our top tips for video interviews;

How to prepare for a video interview

-Prepare a quiet space with a neutral background so you don’t distract the interviewer and think about what sound can be heard.   Consider using headphones to minimise external sounds in your home.

-Like any interview, do your research as this is key to presenting yourself well. Also, just like an interview in person prepare  answers properly before the day, as relying on hidden notes in front of you won’t give the right impression and will highlight if you are ill-prepared.

-Practice talking to the camera, and if you can, ask someone to go through the questions with you so you hear how your answers sound out loud.

-Be on time, and in the instance of a video interview, it’s best to be early. Technology has a habit of not working as it always has when you’re under pressure. So, to illuminate any extra stress, test your equipment first.

-When you finish speaking, leave a second or two in case there is a time delay, this will allow the interviewer to have a chance to speak and avoid talking over you.

Where can you find graduate roles?

Depending on your industry, there will be some changes to this process but on the whole you should be able to find roles in the usual places, national job sites, university career centres and for those looking for global opportunities, GradLink. Your first stop should be to check the careers page for your institution. Your careers team have a wealth of knowledge and may also have some career route options for you adapted to the current situation. Set up job alerts for the websites you’re interested in and ensure your resume is up to date. For more updates for international students and a global jobs page, register today for free!