After several months of job hunting in the UK, I finally received a satisfying offer. From failing multiple graduate applications, to taking a short break, then adjusting my strategy, refining my CV, and focusing on internships and junior roles — my interview rate improved significantly. I’d like to share my timeline and reflections in case they can offer some reference and encouragement to others on a similar journey.
For international graduates, foreign companies are not out of reach but rather platforms where their strengths shine. This article provides a structured guide on what foreign employers value, where to find opportunities, and how to approach interviews to improve job-hunting success.
An international graduate who succeeded in the second round of autumn recruitment, sharing insights on UK job applications, timelines, and strategies. Believes in “prepare early, apply early, try widely,” and aims to help others improve their chances of securing offers through real experiences.
The author found a job through experienced-hire recruitment within one month after receiving their UK master’s degree. Due to delayed graduation, they couldn’t apply for a PSW visa and instead used a spouse visa, which may have helped with job hunting. They rarely applied for graduate schemes and preferred phone or live interviews over recorded video interviews. They focused on Mandarin-speaking administrative and HR roles, received many interview invitations, and ultimately got one offer after three in-person interviews. For preparation, they used Glassdoor and YouTube (especially behavioral question examples). They note that all companies asked “Why our company?” and share negative experiences with some Chinese companies, including being ghosted and being asked about childbearing plans.
A Mathematics graduate with distinction who transitioned into tech from a MATLAB-only background. Faced multiple rejections at video interview and assessment centre stages, and went through periods of anxiety during the job search, but continued self-learning coding — from Java and LeetCode to JavaScript and React. Later joined a full-stack bootcamp, worked on several frontend and backend projects, and eventually secured a role in tech. Now sharing real experiences about breaking into tech to offer insights and encouragement to others on a similar path.
Job-hunting difficulty isn’t about nationality — it’s about strategy. A CV is not an autobiography; it should be tailored to the Job Description (JD), highlighting keywords and relevant experience. Recommended CV structure: professional summary → key skills → work experience (focus on impact) → education. Keep it 1–1.5 pages with clean formatting. Choose targeted applications over mass applications, and slightly tailor your CV for each JD. Use AI as a tool, but you must give clear instructions and judge the quality of the output.
The author reflects on a two-year job search journey after graduation, eventually switching to tech and securing a visa-sponsored role. Initially stressed by visa pressure and peer comparison, they later realized life isn’t measured by a single standard and chose to follow personal interests, which led to improvement. They view rejections and failed interviews as part of growth, emphasizing that hiring is about fit rather than pure ability. The author also advises not to fixate on big-company grad schemes, to seek advice from others while making independent decisions, and to treat every application as progress. The key message: with clear goals, the right strategy, and consistent effort, achieving one’s aspirations is possible.
The author reflects on their difficult job-hunting journey in London. As a non-EU graduate without local experience, they faced constant rejections and heavy pressure while others secured offers. Through persistent networking, a senior helped pass along their CV, leading to their first interview. Despite self-doubt and anxiety, the author persevered through each stage and eventually secured a job. They attribute success not to background or connections but to persistence after setbacks and timely help from others, encouraging fellow job seekers to keep going.
Over the past three months, I applied for 160+ jobs and attended around 30 phone and in-person interviews. By improving my CV strategy — from using one generic CV to tailoring by industry, and finally customizing a new CV for each role — I gained more interview opportunities. Still, the job search was long and exhausting, with forms, tests, frequent interviews, and travel, often without feedback. I felt overwhelmed at times but kept going. Now it’s a new beginning, and I hope all job seekers achieve the results they want.
我从硕士毕业前三个月开始在英国求职，主要通过 Indeed、LinkedIn 和学校 career service 投递简历。起初投了三四十份简历几乎没有回应，还因签证问题被拒。后来通过参加 CV workshop 优化了简历，并调整策略，为每个岗位定制求职信、主动联系招聘经理、参加线下招聘活动，面试机会明显增加。 最终获得了一份零售行业的兼职工作。虽然不是理想岗位，但让我熟悉了英国职场文化、提升了英语沟通能力，并积累了本地工作经验。
This is a personal story about job hunting in the UK. The author begins with uncertainty about staying in the UK, then feels anxious after seeing peers prepare for job searches. The journey includes disappointing career fair experiences, repeated rejections from mass applications, and emotional lows. The turning point comes from advice given by a career advisor, who emphasizes matching rather than blindly applying. After improving strategy and application quality, the author gradually receives interviews and finally secures an offer before graduation. The key message is that rejection is normal in job hunting, strategy matters more than quantity, and maintaining a stable mindset and persistence is crucial for success.
