How are Job Opportunities in UK? - Shivani Pawar's views
“I didn’t have a roadmap—but I built one. One conversation, one rejection, and one small win at a time.”
Navigating the UK Job Market as an International Student
When I landed in the UK to pursue my studies, I knew the real challenge wouldn’t just be exams or assignments—it would be landing a job that recognised my potential and offered visa sponsorship.
This blog is a deep dive into how I navigated the job market, overcame common challenges international students face, and the exact strategies that helped me land a role in a leading organisation. I hope it inspires and empowers you on your journey too.
1. Prioritise, Personalise, and Network with Purpose
One of the biggest shifts for me was moving from mass-applying to targeted applying. I focused on roles I genuinely liked and spoke to people who were already doing them.
Tip: Use LinkedIn to reach out to professionals, not just recruiters. Ask them what a day in their life looks like, then mirror relevant experience in your CV and interviews.
Speaking to people at networking events or reaching out to employees at companies I was applying to gave me insider insight—and often referrals.
2. Don’t Just Apply—Experiment Early
If you’re in your first or second year, here’s my biggest advice: apply wide, fail fast, and learn quickly.
Treat every application like a test run:
- What roles excite you?
- Which interviews stump you?
- What feedback do you get?
By the time I reached my final year, I had already learned where I struggled—and where I thrived. So I switched gears. I became laser-focused, shortlisting 10–20 companies that:
- Offered visa sponsorship
- Paid competitively
- Had teams doing the kind of work I wanted to do
3. The Sponsorship Barrier & Case Study Battles
Among all the hurdles, the biggest was visa sponsorship. It wasn’t just about landing a job—it was about convincing a company that I was worth the extra effort and investment.
On top of that, the recruitment processes were intense. Multiple interviews, time-pressured case studies, and long waiting periods tested my resilience. I struggled at first, especially with the technical interviews, but I refused to let that define me.
I downloaded prep material, took mock interviews through my university’s career services, and reached out to friends and mentors for help. Bit by bit, I got better. The fear faded. My answers sharpened. I started walking into interviews not just prepared—but confident.
Visa sponsorship is a daunting concept for many international students, and I was no exception. But once I understood the process, it became far less intimidating. I was fortunate that the company I joined had a clear and structured sponsorship system for graduates. But I also saw friends navigate the process by reaching out to immigration lawyers, negotiating sponsorship terms with smaller companies, or even offering to co-fund the application process where appropriate.
The key is to stay informed, ask the right questions early, and confidently explain the value you bring to the organisation.
4. The Interview Experience
The interview process was structured across multiple rounds. It started with an application screening and was followed by a behavioural interview, a case study assessment, and a final interview with a senior leader.
What stood out to me most was how human the process felt. Yes, the questions were challenging—but they were designed to understand how I think, how I collaborate, and how I solve problems, not just whether I knew all the right answers.
One of the case studies asked me to walk through how I’d solve a real-world problem in the company’s sector. I was nervous, but I had prepared by studying similar scenarios and talking to people in similar roles. That gave me the confidence to explain my reasoning clearly, even when I didn’t have all the information.
5. What Helped Me Seal the Offer
If I had to name the one thing that helped me seal the offer, it would be preparation—but not just technical prep. It was the preparation to be authentic.
I wasn’t trying to sound perfect. I spoke openly about what I was learning, where I had struggled, and what I was excited about. I backed up my answers with examples, and I tied everything I said back to the values of the company.
Additionally, the fact that I had done mock interviews, spoken to people in similar roles, and spent time tailoring my answers to each stage gave me an edge. It wasn’t about rehearsing lines.
Your Story Is Your Brand
I used to think that a great CV or LinkedIn profile was just about formatting and keywords. But the truth is, it’s about storytelling.
I studied job descriptions, scrolled through countless profiles of people in the roles I wanted, and took note of how they described their experience. I rewrote my own summaries to reflect not just what I had done—but how I had made a difference.
Every CV I submitted was tailored. Every line on my LinkedIn was intentional. And with each edit, I got better at presenting a version of myself that felt authentic—and relevant.
Finding Mentors in Unexpected Places
Some of the most important relationships I built weren’t formal mentorships. They were people I met during group projects, managers from internships, even seniors from LinkedIn who offered honest feedback. They gave me career advice, walked me through MBA decisions, and helped me stay grounded when things felt overwhelming.
“You don’t need a mentor with a title. You need someone who’s walked the path—and is kind enough to walk a bit with you.”
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