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Freshers, here′s what you should be doing now to maximise your employability!

Freshers, here's what you should be doing now to maximise your employability!

Congratulations! You’ve made it to university here in the UK and now all that’s left is to do is explore your new home, get to know your housemates and throw yourself fully into Freshers’ Week!

But fun and games aside, it’s never too early to start thinking about those career prospects. Luckily, there are a number of ways to boost your employment chances while still having fun. Studying in the UK already puts you in good stead, but we’ve scoured the internet to find some additional tactics you can utilise to get that CV sparkling from the get-go.

Join groups and societies

Joining the international student society is a great first step, especially if you’re feeling homesick or want to meet people making similar adjustments, but you should look further. Student unions host a plethora of potential clubs, including skiing, larping (live action role play), poetry groups, sports’ clubs and more.

Societies and clubs offer a great way to bond with fellow students in a non-academic environment, and it shows employers that you’re not scared of meeting new people or operating as part of a team.

Review your social media profiles

Today’s employers and recruiters will be checking out the social media channels of potential candidates. Just make sure your profiles are up to date and professional, especially on LinkedIn.

Your Facebook page may be an expression of you, but it’s also a window into your world for potential employers so just be mindful of what you post.

Start looking for work experience or volunteering opportunities

Once again, the student union offers a bounty of opportunities; be it behind the bar or helping out with events, there are plenty of ways (both paid and unpaid) to meet new people and gain new skills.

Moreover, if you can’t work because of your visa, you may still be able to volunteer your time with a worthwhile cause or organisation linked to your chosen career path. For instance, why not consider student union roles, like being a course representative?

If you can, get a part-time job

Whether it’s a role directly connected to your future career of choice, or an easy part-time job that will just help you get to grips with the language, employment is an unbeatable way to get immerse yourself in British culture. But first, find out if you’re eligible to work in the UK during your studies by clicking here.

Perfect your English language skills

What better time to perfect your English language skills than when studying at a UK university? Speaking a second language automatically makes you more employable in today’s global business world but given that English is often the lingua franca of business, your new language skills will prove hard for future employers to pass by. If you’re struggling, why not join a class or society?

Register with GradLink

It may seem a little early to start applying for postgraduate work or a summer internship, but in addition to our extensive database of international vacancies, we also post regular blog updates that offer insight into employment trends and tips, as well as articles on employers and the types of skills they're looking for. Register with us today to see where GradLink can take you.