5 top tips to find a job as an international student in the UK

Thinking of studying in the UK and working at the same time? Discover our top 5 tips to finding a job as an international student and boost your employability after graduation.

Contents:

1. Use your University Careers Service
2. Create a CV and practice interviews
3. Use dedicated student job boards
4. Gain work experience
5. Use a UK recruitment agency

1. Use your University Careers Service

Most universities have a dedicated careers department that can provide tailored advice, access to job postings specifically for students, and help develop your CV and job applications. Make a one-to-one appointment to discover how they could support you.

Here at Newcastle University, our Careers Service offers a huge range of support, including in-person and online appointments, online guidance and tools, interactive workshops, and networking events. From one-to-one advice to ‘meet the employer’ panel discussions, our Careers Service manage a full calendar of events to inform about your future career. The Service also supports students with internships, work placements, and volunteering.

2. Create a CV and practice interviews

When you apply for a job, you will normally need to submit a CV or an application form.

Research different CV formats, to design the version that reflects your skills the best. Don’t forget to include your:

• contact details
• education history
• any previous work experience or volunteering
• additional skills
• you may choose to include a personal statement that shows why you’re right for that role

Your University Careers Service will be able to help you with crafting a great CV or application form. They will also be able to help you prepare for interviews and support you in demonstrating your skills and experience.

Your University Career Service is an invaluable resource, and staff are always willing to help.

3. Use dedicated student job boards

University Careers Services often advertise jobs to suit students’ skills and that will fit around their studies.

Here at Newcastle University, we hold a part-time jobs fair at the start of each academic year with a range of employers including event management, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and catering.

In countries like India and China, careers fairs often lead to immediate job offers. However, in the UK, careers fairs emphasise career exploration and employer networking over job offers.

Our careers team also advertise Jobs on Campus, which range from short-term to long-term part-time jobs across campus. This includes roles like library assistance, customer service, administration, and event support. The university also advertises paid roles across a range of university areas, such as being a student ambassador, street scientist, tutor, or lab assistant.

4. Gain work experience

Developing your skills through work experience and study can help with career planning and securing a graduate job.

There are a range of options to choose from to suit you and your degree stage, and your University Careers Service can help you navigate how to gain the right work experience to suit your ambitions. The right work experience will help you gain valuable employability skills, commercial awareness, practical examples for job applications, and the chance to apply academic knowledge in the workplace.

There are many routes to gaining work experience. From internships and shadowing, to volunteering and virtual opportunities –  your careers team will work with you help you explore your options.

5. Use a UK recruitment agency

Recruitment agencies can be a useful way of finding job opportunities. You can use them for graduate vacancies and casual or temporary roles. Some organisations and companies use them to manage their recruitment process. They are paid by these employers to find the right candidate for a role.

You can use recruitment websites to search and apply for specific roles or register with an agency. They can then add you to their database to be matched with suitable vacancies.

The process for joining a recruitment agency is usually to send in or upload your CV, and then you will be invited to a meeting where a recruitment consultant will ask about your skills and experience. They will also ask about the types of roles you are looking for. This meeting could be in-person, online or by phone.

Want to find out more?

Read more about the range of support offered to students, and the careers support and information specifically for international students.