The Next Chapter: How to Find Postgraduate Jobs in the UK

So, you’ve finished your undergraduate study in the UK and you’re wondering what comes next. As you probably know, the UK is a wonderful place with many employment opportunities for postgraduate students. You may have even gained some valuable work experience while completing your degree, giving you a taste of what it’s like to work in the UK. 

Now it’s time to embrace the next chapter of your professional life with the help of this handy guide, which breaks down everything you need to know to find jobs for recent graduates in the UK.

Postgraduate working rights in the UK

As an international student in the UK, you will have learned a lot about the country and what student life is like. You’ll also have been granted a student visa for the UK, so you’ll know a bit about the visa system already.

The great news is that those who plan to apply for a UK post-study visa now have a new pathway: the Graduate Route. From July 2021, international students with a student visa can spend an additional two years in the UK after completing their degree. If you complete a PhD, you’ll be able to stay for up to three years. 

The Graduate Route is unsponsored, so you don’t need a job offer or funding to be eligible. This means you’ll have plenty of time to search for a job and gain extra work experience in your chosen field, which will set you up for a career back home, in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

If you want to remain in the UK after the additional two years expire, you can switch from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker visa. The Skilled Worker visa allows you to stay and work in the UK for a further five years, provided you have an eligible job with an approved employer. The visa also puts you on the pathway to living in the UK permanently.

How to find a postgraduate job in the UK

Research in-demand careers

It’s a great idea to find out which occupations are in demand in the UK, such as nurses, pharmacists, teachers and engineers. If your degree leads to a job that’s on the list, you’re well on your way to a postgraduate job already!

Diversify your job hunt

To find your ideal postgraduate job in the UK, be sure to look in a wide range of places. Start researching and applying for jobs via organisation employment websites and job boards, including those offered by your education provider. 

There are some big UK employment search websites - such as Indeed and Seek - which have thousands of different listings for applicants of all types. Websites like these can give you an excellent idea of what’s out there. 

Prospects has lots of job listings, as well as extra information and advice to help you secure a postgraduate role. Plus, the UK Government has a great ‘Find a job’ service that can help you explore opportunities. 

Leverage graduate schemes 

Several of the UK’s leading organisations and employers provide dedicated training programmes known as graduate schemes. These paid programmes typically last one to two years and help create future leaders for the workforce. They are usually available across a wide selection of industries from agriculture to law to marketing. 

Boost your employability

It can also be useful to focus on increasing your employability. Internships are a great way of doing this by giving you valuable experience in and knowledge of your chosen industry. Volunteering is another way of gaining experience and a foot in the door regarding employment.

Improve your English skills

English language skills are always in demand. If you’ve finished a degree already, your English language skills are probably quite strong - but you can always improve! There are some specific English-language skills that will help you prepare for a successful global career; make sure you familiarise yourself with these to set yourself up for success.

Review and update your CV

Another way to increase your employability is to refine your CV. You could get some advice about how to construct an engaging CV from your education provider or an employment agency/website.

It’s also sensible to identify any gaps in your CV that could be filled with a relevant qualification, internship or volunteering experience. With an eye-catching, impressive CV, you’ll have higher chances of landing a postgraduate job in the UK quickly.

Network

Lastly, network as much as you can, whether it’s through university and alumni events, your existing contacts or social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. 

Networking is a great way to find out about jobs that haven’t been advertised yet and/or that you are particularly well suited for. The more people you know in your chosen industry, the more you’ll find out about the employment landscape in the UK.

Author: Sarah Pearce