There are opportunities out there for International Students but it can be harder because of previous visa regulations and employers not being aware of the changes: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Working/Student-work
For advice on working after studying see: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Working/Working-after-studies
Here are some tips that you can put into action that will improve your chances of landing that graduate job. Start putting this into practice from your very first day at university and you will develop your employability. It is never too late to get started on making yourself more employable.
- Do you know what it is that you want to do? Do you have a clear idea in terms of your career or is it still quite vague? You need to consider what it is that you want to do and what sector you want to work in. If you don’t know then use a reflective tool like My Prospects and reflect on the results with a Careers Consultant. Or you can use the Self Awareness Moodle and its excellent interactive resources: https://moodle.warwick.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=25808
- Do your research on sector and companies – this is important recruiters feel that many students and graduates lack this ability. You need to know about the sectors that interest you, employers and their opportunities. Understanding what you want and researching the sector and employers that interest you will help you identify job roles that might suit you. To be successful you will need to be commercially aware. You can explore sectors here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors
- Get work experience and get relevant work experience – all work experience is good but there is definitely some that is more desirable to a recruiter. So, yes do get part time work as this will help you but think about internships and if you can do a placement year then you will have some excellent experience that links to the area you want to work in. You can search information here: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/workexperience/
- It is better to do ten focused applications than a hundred unfocused one – quality rather than quantity matters every time. So rather than sending off non-tailored CVs and covering letters create bespoke versions that give clear evidence to a recruiter – you’re more likely to get shortlisted if you do this. Attend the effective applications workshop and other workshops that provide support with the recruitment and selection process (e.g. Cracking Video Interviews). Check My Advantage for details. Get feedback on your application, CV or cover letters by booking an appointment with the Job Search Advice team: https://myadvantage.warwick.ac.uk/students/appointments/app/topic/21?siteId=1
- Maintain home networks whilst you are in the UK – networking is important in the UK and at home so utilise those networks that you have and constantly develop new ones. It is worth joining LinkedIn if you are not already a member as this can help you make contacts and become a contact for others. Make sure you make your profile effective and professional. If you want to connect to others personalise your email to explain the benefits of connecting to you and explain why you want to contact to them. Get help by accessing the Moodle on Networking: https://moodle.warwick.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=31236
- Practise your English Language skills at all times – if English isn’t your first language your English skills can easily fall by the wayside if a lot of your friends are also from the same country as you and you find yourself sticking with them and speaking in your mother tongue. Try to use English daily and get the English experience as much as you can. It will strengthen your cultural awareness if you practice it regularly. A good resource: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/explore-english-language-culture
- Get involved in extracurricular activities – recruiters value extracurricular activities so join the clubs and societies that interest you but be active in them! Remember it is important to balance your work with academic studies. Sometimes in the first year its easy to get carried away by the social aspect and it can be a shock at the end of the year! Find out about societies here: https://www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/societies/
Follow these steps to help you to develop your skills and remember to make use of the support available from Careers! https://warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/
Other useful resources:
- Student Opportunity Internationalisation https://warwick.ac.uk/students/opportunities/worldatwarwick
- Warwick Volunteers: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/community/volunteers
- Student Opportunity Skills https://warwick.ac.uk/services/skills
- Unitemps https://warwick.ac.uk/services/unitemps/candidates/
- UKCISA https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
- Going Global https://www.britishcouncil.org/going-global#main-content
by Shiv Qadir, Senior Careers Consultant at the University of Warwick
Warwick Law Careers Blog 