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How to get the most of out of your first term for future employability

Welcome to the UK! Your first term at a UK university can be a bewildering one, as you get to grips with a new country and the intellectual demands of your course.

But the year(s) will zip by – and before you know it, you’ll be looking to start your career in a competitive marketplace.

Many successful international graduates advise that career preparations should begin the moment your feet touch UK soil – or even before! So here are our top six tips for making the most of your first term at a UK university to prepare yourself for the career of your dreams!

1. Use your careers service

Your university careers service is here to help from the moment you arrive, offering advice and resources on careers events, graduate schemes, work experience, CVs, job applications, interview preparations, enterprise and self-employment and more.

Mohan from India studied Engineering at UWE Bristol and is now a manufacturing engineer at Alten Ltd. He says: “In the UK you need to start your job search very early. Graduate routes open as early as September of the previous year.

“Be aware of the time scales and how companies are going to assess you. For example, some companies use online assessments, others use game-based assessments, and so on. At first, I felt unprepared for these, but the careers service at UWE were fantastic in terms of guiding me through the process, helping me to become familiar with them, and providing ongoing support.”

2. Research career options

If you haven’t already begun, now’s the time to research your future career and what skills and knowledge you’ll need. But be cautious about having too narrow a focus.

Zhenwei, who studied at Queen Mary University of London and now works in marketing for the Agricultural Bank of China, says: “Start finding your job as early as possible as there are very few chances if you leave it until after your graduation. You do not necessarily need to look just at the jobs that fit perfectly with what you studied at university.”

However, if you do leave it till later, don’t panic – read our blog on career steps to take after graduation!

3. Get networking through social media

For employers, new graduates are something of an unknown quantity. So you’ll be better placed to get your dream job if you’ve already begun to establish yourself in your chosen field.

LinkedIn is key for building your own personal brand and connecting with others in your industry. Begin by updating your qualifications and work experience, then start sharing articles of interest or even write some yourself. Comment on other people’s posts, and reach out to key contacts too.

Victor Akunna from Nigeria, who studied at the University of Bedfordshire and is now a training coordinator for Hamilton Richards Consulting, says: “The key to a successful job search is networking. Take advantage of social sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with industry leaders and recruiters, and to show off your unique skills and experience.”

4. Get networking in person

In-person networking events include careers fairs and societies, all of which get going in the autumn term. Again, your careers service is a great place for information about these.

Sofia from Greece studied Business at UWE Bristol and now works for Meridian Media Holdings. Her advice is: “Start early: begin exploring career options and building your professional network as soon as possible. Attend career fairs and networking events and take advantage of any opportunities to gain work experience through internships or part-time jobs. UWE’s weekly newsletter is a must if you want to find great and trustworthy opportunities. Additionally, the enrolment in the management teams of UWE societies is a great add-on to your CV.”

And Ayman from Egypt, who studied Engineering at UWE Bristol and is now a design manager for HAZ International, recommends looking at societies beyond campus. He says: “There's an emphasis in the UK on credentials and qualifications, so, as early as possible, you should try to find and join societies that will help you to develop your career. Find out which societies you can gain student membership with. And find out how they can help you – maybe through events where you get to meet companies, or courses they have that will help you develop yourself and add to your list of achievements.”

5. Acquire the skills you’ll need

Employers are looking for so much more than subject knowledge and skills.

So be honest with yourself. How are your soft skills such as communication and presentation? How good is your English if you’re not a native speaker – obviously, it will come on in leaps and bounds during your UK studies, but are there any weaknesses? Can you drive, code, or speak other languages?

Diksha from India studied Engineering at UWE Bristol and is now a systems engineer at GE Aviation Systems UK. She says: “Start early. Research what jobs are out there. You don't need to apply to them straight away, but doing your homework and understanding what these jobs are asking for can give you a sense of where your gaps are, and how to start filling them. And even if you can't fill these gaps, you at least you can let the employer know that you're aware about your development areas and looking for opportunities to work on them rather than going in completely unprepared.”

6. Look for relevant work experience

Whether it’s volunteering, an internship, a part-time job, or setting up your own business, work experience will impress a future employer, help you make career connections, teach you new skills, and potentially open doors for you.

Patrick from Ghana studied at UWE Bristol and is now the CEO of Emboka Ghana Ltd. He says: “Whatever career options you have in mind to pursue after you graduate, you can start it while you are in school. Even if it means working for someone for free… More doors will be opened to you as a student to gain the experience you need than an unemployed graduate.”

Register with Gradlink today

For more advice for international students seeking graduate jobs in the UK or globally, register today with Gradlink, where you’ll find a free jobs board, a database of global employers, careers advice and more.