The cost of living as a student can be quite expensive – with the costs of accommodation, food, study, and socialising – most students struggle to get by. To help alleviate the burden of tight financial burdens, a lot of students get part or full time jobs. While finding a job can be a daunting task for any student, for international students or ESL students, this process can be even more difficult.
There is a lot less opportunity for students in the UK who cannot read or write fluent English to get full or part time working opportunities. If you are an international student then these tips will help you to get a job in the UK.
Improve your English
If you are looking for work in the UK, you will need to speak a certain level of English. It makes sense to improve your written English as well as your ability to speak and understand English. A lot of jobs will need you to talk to customers, either face-to-face, or over the phone, and if you cannot communicate with customers clearly, employers will not want your services. If you are an international or ESL student who does not have a firm grasp of the English language, we would recommend trying to get as much experience to the language as possible: watch UK television programmes, listen to English speaking Radio or Music, read UK newspapers and magazines, make British friends and expand your confidence with the language. This will help you greatly when you write a job application or go to an interview and also it will improve your confidence with speaking or writing English. However, being able to speak English as well as your home language might even prove to be a positive factor that might land you a job as speaking more than one language is becoming a desirable skill to possess in the world of business. The UK Border Agency has details on language requirements and other specifications for people wishing to settle in the UK at UK Border Agency – Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK .
Look in the right places
It is essential that you know if you are legally permitted to work in the UK; Employers who advertise with the Careers Service must provide certain details – e.g. hours to be worked, location of work, pay rates, job description. Follow application instructions carefully. If the employer likes your application, s/he may offer you an interview, which is your chance to meet the employer and let him/her know about your skills and suitability for the job
If you are a non-EU student then you might have to have a work permit to gain employment in the UK when you are a student, or after you finish university. To qualify for a permit you might have to show that you meet certain financial maintenance and English language requirements, so be sure to research the requirements to each permit.
Become an expert on your situation. The more you know about the visas you need, the different possibilities, deadlines, costs, the more prepared and confident you will feel when applying for jobs. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) advice line is also an excellent source of support for international students, and you can see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/ for more information on this.
Get Experience
Make sure you use your time wisely in the UK by gaining relevant skills and experiences that will help you secure a job with that company. Take advantage of everything you can whilst at University ensuring to develop skills that UK employers are after. For some jobs it could be essential for you to have some prior experience before you could have this job. Join societies, do charitable work, show that you are prepared to work hard and learn new skills. While this might seem daunting, these opportunities could actually benefit your future employability; after all a university qualification only gets you so far – adding weight to your CV outside of your degree is essential. Boosting your CV can set you apart from other graduates and be the difference in getting you that job after you graduate. See http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/page/internationalemploy
Be Positive and Persistent
Having a positive attitude in your speech and body language is very important. Be sure to smile and be enthusiastic when you talk about yourself, your experience and why you would like the job. Even if you’re use of English isn’t perfect, if you can show your interviewers that you are a happy worker with a lot of energy and a positive attitude, this will make you appear a more attractive prospect. Spending a lot of time trying to get a job and seeing no results can be very frustrating and demoralizing. Make sure you do not give up and get your dream job with a few vital steps. Smiling and being positive about your abilities will show confidence and will want to make employers invest in you.
