International Graduate Story: Taimoor

Posted on: 19 June 2023 by Aditi Gupta in Graduate stories

Taimoor is an international graduate from Pakistan who studied for a MSc Finance at the University of Liverpool and is now working at BDO LLP.

How was your experience as a student at the University of Liverpool?

I joined the University of Liverpool in the pandemic period when the university had to adapt quickly to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff. Various measures and restrictions were implemented that significantly impacted the traditional university experience. The majority of my exams and assessments were conducted remotely and I visited the campus only a handful times.

Despite this, the support that I received from the University of Liverpool was commendable. The university worked tirelessly to maintain the quality of education. I remember that the teaching staff made themselves available for virtual office hours, providing guidance and support whenever needed. They also encouraged active participation through online forums and group projects, fostering a sense of community within the virtual learning environment.

Reflecting back on my experience, it was undoubtedly a difficult period but I really appreciate the resilience and adaptability demonstrated by the University of Liverpool. The remote learning and exams may not have been ideal, but they allowed me to continue my education amidst the global crisis. It taught me the importance of flexibility, self-motivation, and perseverance in the face of adversity. And I still carry these traits into the professional world.

Who is your current employer? What is your current role and how would you describe a typical day in your role?

I work for BDO UK LLP as a first year Audit Trainee. My typical day within this role tends to fluctuate. A few of my responsibilities include conducting meetings to plan and discuss audit strategies and methodologies, travelling to various clients' site and having interviews with them to explore more about their operations and departments, including their control procedures, completing assigned audit sections and participate in any company wide social event and finally, doing some revision for the ACA examinations.

What do you like the most about your current role?

What I love the most about my role is that it has provided me with the opportunity to learn about the important businesses and corporations in the North-West of UK, and to travel to different clients’ sites. There are days when it seems repetitive but that does not too long. My role requires interacting with different people all the time, whether it's interacting with your peers and managers within the organisation or interacting with senior officials and managers of the audited entity. In this way, you get to learn from so many different people and take in their perspectives, which has helped me to grow as a professional in the corporate world.

What do you find challenging about your current role?

The role of an Audit Trainee requires a lot of discipline and resilience, especially during the first couple of years. Audit Trainees often encounter a steep learning curve when they start their careers. They need to quickly familiarise themselves with auditing standards, industry regulations, accounting principles, and the firm's audit methodologies. This can be overwhelming, especially for those who do not have an accounting background.

Another challenge within this role is effectively managing time. Balancing competing priorities, allocating time efficiently, and meeting deadlines can be a significant challenge, requiring strong organisational and time management skills. On top of this, having to prepare for your ACA exams during the exam season can add another layer of challenge to the role.

However, my employer has been very accommodating and understanding of the struggles of a first-year trainee. From giving time off for exams to assigning that does not interfere with my work-life balance, it has been an excellent journey so far.

How did you go about finding this job opportunity? Do you have any advice for current (international) students on how to look for roles of interest?

I found this job opportunity by conducting a thorough research into Trainee Roles available within the North-West, that provide a visa sponsorship to international students. Moreover, the support provided by the university to International students to help them identify such employers and the landscape of the job market has helped me in effectively searching for these opportunities. This was really important to me because, as an international student, I was initially refused from various roles that I interviewed for because of my visa status.

What did the recruitment and selection process involve and how did you prepare for it?

The recruitment and selection process were quite thorough and equally efficient. I had to undertake online assessments and interviews, before being accepted for the assessment centre. My preparation for the final stage, which was the assessment centre, involved brushing up on my presentation skills, my interpretation skills, and my communication skills. Moreover, I carried out thorough research into the company, the services it provides, the role and significant changes in the industry and profession as a result of Covid-19 and other economic developments.

What made you choose the UK as a graduate job destination?

The UK is one of the world's major financial hubs and I realised that the best decision regarding my early career would be to target a graduate role. As someone with very limited corporate experience, a graduate role like this was a clear choice for me.

The number of graduate roles available to international students in the UK is far greater than any other part of the world. The UK provides opportunities for career development and progression. With a strong focus on skills development and training, individuals can access various professional development programs, certifications, and networking events. Moreover, employers in the UK often value continuous learning, providing employees with opportunities to up-skill and advance their careers. All this is reflected in a typical graduate programme here.

Additionally, the UK is known for its multicultural society, offering a diverse and inclusive environment. I was attracted to the cultural richness and the opportunity to interact with people from various backgrounds. The international exposure was something I was very tempted by.

What differences have you noticed between the UK job market and the job market of your home country?

I am from Pakistan where I have undertaken a couple of internships. I believe the job markets in the UK and Pakistan have several differences due to variations in economic factors, work culture, and societal factors.

The UK has a more developed and diversified economy compared to Pakistan. The UK has a strong presence in sectors like finance, technology, creative industries, and healthcare, offering a wide range of job opportunities. Comparatively, Pakistan’s economy is characterised by sectors such as agriculture, textiles, manufacturing, and services.

Regarding one of the most important factors, the work culture in the UK tends to emphasise professionalism, punctuality, and adherence to work-life balance. In Pakistan, work culture may vary, but it often includes hierarchical structures, strong social relationships, and a more relaxed approach to time management.

Additionally, the UK job market is highly competitive due to a large pool of candidates, including both domestic and international talent. Companies often have rigid hiring processes and seek candidates with a strong academic background, relevant experience, and sought-after skills. In Pakistan, job market competition can also be significant, especially for popular job roles, but the job market may place relatively more emphasis on practical experience and personal connections.

What challenges did you face as an international student/graduate in your career journey?

There were several challenges I faced as an international graduate student. With limited experience on my CV, I had to polish almost all of my skills including technical and mainly communication skills.

Another challenge was to identify which companies are able to offer sponsorships and in which roles specifically. Unfortunately, I learnt this the hard way, as I was rejected from several roles/companies that did not offer sponsorships. There were a few instances where I passed the assessment centres and got the good news as well, but got a refusal call after a week due to my visa sponsorship status.

I believe the toughest challenge for an international student is that the pool of companies and roles they can apply for tend to be limited in number.

In your opinion, what steps can current international students take for enhancing their employability and preparing themselves better for the graduate job market?

Firstly, gain an understanding of the job market trends, industries, and sectors in the country where you plan to seek employment. Identify the in-demand skills, qualifications, and experience sought by employers in your desired field.

Secondly, actively build a professional network by attending industry events, career fairs, and networking sessions. Connect with professionals in your field of interest, join relevant professional associations or student societies, and utilise online platforms like LinkedIn to expand your network.

 Thirdly, try to seek opportunities to gain work experience in your chosen field through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering. This helps you develop practical skills, understand industry dynamics, and make valuable connections. Seek out internships or placements through university career services or specialised internship programmes.

Lastly, actively identify and develop transferable skills that are valued across industries, such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, communication, and adaptability. Engage in extracurricular activities, projects, or part-time jobs that allow you to develop and demonstrate these skills.

What advice would you offer to current international students who are looking to enter the job market?

Tailor your CV, cover letter, and application forms to align with the requirements of the roles you are applying for. Research the specific companies and the types of roles you are interested in, and demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the field in your applications. Have a look at the common CV formats used in the UK for different fields. This is the first major step that every international student needs to undertake if they want to advance to latter stages of a recruitment process and eventually land the role.

It is also important to utilize the career services offered by your university or seek guidance from career counsellors. They can provide advice on job search strategies, CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and connecting with alumni or industry professionals. I, myself participated in several events organised by the University of Liverpool’s Careers and Employability Team as it helped to build a strong foundation of the requirements of the UK job market.

Moreover, it is also important to gain cultural awareness and adaptability skills to thrive in diverse work environments. Understanding and respecting cultural norms and differences can contribute to effective collaboration and communication in the workplace. More importantly, tap into your university's alumni network and professional associations to connect with alumni who have successful careers in your desired field. Seek their advice, attend alumni events, and leverage their experiences and connections.

Lastly, actively search for job opportunities through online job portals such as Student Circus, company websites, recruitment agencies, and personal connections. Be persistent, follow up on applications, and seek feedback if you face rejections to learn and improve.