Which UK employers can sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa for international students?
Skilled Worker Visa can be sponsored by only certain organisations in the UK. The details of these organisations and the kind of visa routes they are eligible to sponsor can be found in the Register of Licensed Sponsor.
It is advisable that the list be used only as a starting point for basic understanding. It might be the case that even if an organisation is eligible to sponsor visas for international students, they may not choose to do so. On the other hand, organisations that do not currently hold sponsorship licenses may apply for one to hire international students.
Where can I get advice on visa-related issues?
The International Advice and Guidance team at the University of Liverpool are able to provide international students with detailed guidance on their visa situation. Appointments with an International Advice and Guidance advisor are bookable through Student Services Hub.
Do I have to change the format of my CV for UK job applications?
CVs in the UK are always tailored for a particular job role in order to showcase your skills and abilities relevant to that job role. They are always limited to 1-2 pages. It is not recommended to add photos, date of birth and details of marital status for a UK format CV. A CV formatted for the UK job market typically tends to contain details of your employment history and educational qualifications in a reverse chronological order with the most recent experience going first. A UK-based CV also needs to be focused on skills that you can offer to your role of interest. For more detailed guidance on how to format your CV for UK job application processes, please visit the Career Studio.
How does a typical recruitment and selection process look like in the UK?
There is no fixed way of recruitment and selection and the process may vary according to different roles and for different organisations. In most cases, recruitment and selection takes place in different stages. These can include a first stage that involves sending a CV and cover letter and/or filling up an online application form. You may also be asked to complete online/offline tests which are called psychometric tests. Another stage can involve an assessment centre where you may be asked to do some tasks that are relevant to the job that you have applied for. The final stage would most likely be an interview process which can be either face-to-face, online or a video interview.
If you require any support with any of the above selection stages, you can visit the Career Studio.
How can I present my transferable skills on my CV?
As part of your work experience section, you can start by highlighting some key responsibilities of your previous work experience. Be sure to highlight the most relevant aspects of your main duties and responsibilities, in relation to the job you are applying for, instead of a long list of your roles and responsibilities. In this section, highlight the skills that your potential employer may be looking for and back it up by evidence of how you have demonstrated it as part of your previous experience. For gaining an understanding of the skills that your employer may value, have a look at the job description to find out the essential and desired skills.
How can I maximise my chances of securing a graduate job role in the UK?
Here are some few tips on maximising your chances of securing a graduate job role in the UK by enhancing your professional profile.
- Start your career planning early and have a plan. Your plan can involve researching your options after your degree and finding out roles of interest. Visit the Career Studio to explore the different options that may be available to you post your graduation. Employers in the UK tend to be quite flexible about the discipline of your degree and there might be a number of opportunities open up to you that you may not have considered before.
- Get involved in activities that may lead to building of your professional profile. This can involve volunteering, internships, part-time jobs or even extra-curricular activities. These will serve as excellent examples to use as part of your selection/application processes and add value to your CV.
- Apply early for roles of interest and be sure to tailor your applications for every role that you apply for.
- Practice for assessment centre tasks, psychometric testing and interviews with a Career Coach and/or using the digital tools available to you.
- Network with personal contacts, employees at organisations that you are interested in using LinkedIn, people you meet at Careers Fair, faculty members, careers staff and anywhere else!
What support can I get from the Careers and Employability team if I want to start my own business?
Careers and Employability team at the University of Liverpool regularly organise events that are focused on enterprise and entrepreneurial activities. Be sure to check Handshake regularly to get involved in these! Click here to find out more.
What resources are available for international students looking for sponsored job roles in the UK?
If you are looking for job roles in the UK that offer sponsorship visas, please sign up on Student Circus. University of Liverpool students have free access to the platform that advertises pre-filtered job opportunities that offer sponsorship to international students.
How can the Career Studio support me as an international student?
The Career Studio can support you with three different aspects of your career journey. We you can explore different career options and research roles of interest with a Career Coach. You can find more information about upcoming networking events, build your professional LinkedIn profile, and learn more about building relevant connections in the business world. Finally, you can get support with CV checks, guidance on how to make effective cover letters, practice with mock interviews and everything else related to your application process.
Click here to find out more about the Career Studio.
What is the typical timeline for graduate job roles in the UK?
The peak season for graduate role applications tend to be from September to November. Certain graduate job roles like graduate schemes tend to start their application process very early in the academic year, a year before the actual start date of the role. Companies may start to advertise these vacancies as early as September and start their recruitment and selection process from October-November. However, applications for graduate job roles may be added and advertised at any time throughout the year so it is good to keep a check on it regularly.
What does the word “placement” and "internship" mean in the UK?
Placements are work experience opportunities that provide students with a great way to apply their knowledge and skills of their academic programme to a real-life professional setting. They are a part of your academic programme and depending on the requirement of your degree programme, they may be either essential or optional. They may also be referred to as “sandwich year” or “year in industry”. Placement is typically undertaken before the final year of your studies.
An internships ususally refer to shorter periods of work experience, usually during the summer break between academic years. They can also refer to graduate roles which are fixed in length, often for 6 months to 1 a year.
By law, both placements and internships should be paid.
Internships are sometimes called work placements or work experience. These terms have no legal status on their own.and the rights they have depend on their employment status and whether they’re classed a worker or volunteer.
I'm considering further study, can you help?
You might be interested in pursuing postgraduate studies after completion of your undergraduate programme at Liverpool. Or, as an incoming postgraduate (taught) student at the University of Liverpool, you might be interested in pursuing a PhD after completion of your degree.
We want to see you get onto the postgraduate degree of your choice, and we want to help you take the quickest route to it! That is why Careers & Employability has partnered with the English Language Centre to offer bespoke support to help you prepare, plan, and write successful personal statements for postgraduate study. You can find more information about this here: Postgraduate studies - Careers and Employability - University of Liverpool.
Have a question?
If you have a question that isn't answered here please get in touch and we'll be happy to help!
Message us via Handshake, email us at careers@liverpool.ac.uk or drop-in to the Career Studio to speak to one of the team.
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