Job Hunting Tips UK: Strategies to Boost Your Career Success

Making yourself a stronger candidate is always a good idea, especially in today’s competitive job market. So, how can you boost your employability? Let’s take a look.

What are the best strategies for job hunting in the UK?

Gaining practical experience while you study is one of the best ways to make yourself a stand-out job candidate. You can gain practical work experience in a variety of ways, such as university projects, student association roles, internships, part-time jobs or volunteering experiences. The skills you learn in these settings - such as collaboration, communication and time management - can be easily applied in professional roles after graduation.

Networking is another simple but effective strategy. It’s a great way to boost your career prospects and grow your professional connections. You can network by attending formal networking events through your education provider or by connecting with people on LinkedIn. The people you meet through networking could provide you with amazing career advice, let you know about exciting job opportunities, act as a reference for a job application and much more.

Building your personal brand is also an awesome way to make yourself more employable. When creating your brand, think about what makes you unique as a candidate and how these traits could benefit an organisation. For example, why not focus on the unique benefits of being an international student? By studying in a new country, you’ve shown how resilient, adaptable, and independent you are - and all of those skills are highly sought after in the workforce. 

Improving your English language skills is another strategy for boosting your employability. English is the most universal language in the world, which is why it’s crucial to have strong skills in writing, speaking, understanding, and reading English. PTE has countless resources to help you do this, including online blog posts and recorded webinars, many of which are available on the Pearson Languages YouTube channel.

How can you improve your job search process in the UK?

In the UK, there are plenty of resources you can explore to help you understand the working world. 

Your education provider is an awesome place to start. Many institutions offer career counselling, CV-writing workshops, mock interview exercises, and even host networking events. Here you can meet people who work in various industries, make new connections, and learn about job opportunities that might interest you. Visit your education provider’s website to find its careers service or department to see what events and initiatives are on offer. 

Acas - which stands for Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service - is another important resource to know about. Acas is your go-to service to learn more about your working rights in the UK, get advice on resolving workplace disputes and seek mediation support.