How to get a return of investment as an international MBA student in the UK!
Follow these 5 steps to get you started:
1. If you have a placement option as part of your MBA, choose your placement and employer wisely as this could be your foot in the door to your job once completing your MBA. It’s also your chance to build important professional connections and gain exposure to a UK workplace and the industry you want to get into. Unfortunately a lot of MBA’s end up with minimum wage jobs and roles which aren’t beneficial to their future UK career because they think they have limited options. However, the real reasons for this are because, they think that they need to start from scratch as an international student, or that they are unfamiliar about UK recruitment practices, don’t know where to look for suitable opportunities as an MBA student so end up applying for unsuitable roles and getting rejections, or don’t know how to write a UK CV. Let’s not forget the difference between an MBA and Undergraduate. The level is very different and post MBA, you want to be securing management roles so the work experience you get during your course or just after needs to reflect this or at least lead to it. If you want to establish yourself in the UK permanently, choose employers who have a sponsor license so you have the potential to be sponsored with the same company if they want to keep you on or companies with a good track record of employing international students.
2. Be visible on LinkedIn! Engage, be consistent, increase your network and your following and use it for researching and connecting with people who can help you advance your career and who inspire and motivate you. Follow organisations and hashtags relevant to your industry and the job you want to get. For more advice on this topic, read my article titled How to optimise your LinkedIn.
3. Make sure opportunities and information is coming to you. Sign up to company newsletters, free information sessions, and online events. Eventbrite has a range of events which are so informative for students and you can search for free ones. One piece of advice though, if you do sign up for something, show up! If not for others, for yourself! You owe it to your future self to show up! After all, every decision is a career decision.
4. On that note, be rigorous with your job search and do not procrastinate with your job search. If you have been given a deadline for securing a placement, do not ignore it. Take it seriously and set yourself milestones to make sure you meet the final deadline. Job searching in panic mode is never fun, it’s overwhelming, stressful, frustrating and you are more likely to end up with something which is second best to what you could have got and wanted and you will always feel disappointed you settled for second (or third) best. Remember what your expectations were before coming to the UK. Focus and be consistent. There are many ways you can update your knowledge on the labour market opportunities; youtube videos; podcasts; articles; books; social media; faceboook groups; university services or speaking to people. Find which way best suits your learning style and do it. But consistency is key. Read this amazing article by Alexa Doman to learn 3 practical ways to be consistently consistent; consistently.
5. Update your CV & cover letter to ensure they are in the UK format and that they outline your key skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the job you want. It is a very competitive time to be navigating the UK labour market so you need to stand out! But first, you need to know what makes you stand out. What is your USP (unique selling point)? Is this being accurately communicated in your applications? Seek professional advice if you have to, research different CV examples online and always get it proofread. Make sure you build your knowledge of UK recruitment practices. If there are specific companies you are interested in applying to, then find out what their recruitment process is and prepare. A great youtube channel for this is Job Ready English, where Mike offers lots of great advice and information on interview formats and recruitment processes of some of the most reputable and well established companies in the UK.
Essentially:
- Do not waste your own time. Make sure you are applying for suitable roles as an MBA and that you meet the requirements and essential criteria of the ones you are apply for
- Tailor your CV and cover letters for each application. Do not simply recycle. Employers will notice!
- Quality over quantity.
Words of wisdom from a previous international MBA student I supported who is now working in the UK.
1.Decide early what you want to do after graduation. Don't drift. Don't wait.
2. Have a deliberate, yet flexible plan in place. There must be timelines and deadlines.
3. Seek help. Ask questions.
4. Don't get caught up or get distracted by the daily challenge of meeting your daily needs (bills). You may have to go hungry sometimes to work towards your goal.
5. Set a standard for yourself. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE settle for minimum wage jobs. Some people switch from one minimum wage pay to another, almost making a career out of it. Get one that will cover your bills. Don't get comfortable.
6. APPLY! APPLY!! APPLY!!!
I couldn’t summarise it better myself.
Yes, the above requires some work and effort from your end and job search is time consuming and it’s hard work- but if you think about where it can get you then surely it is worth it, right? Plus, you aren’t alone. Seek out services and support that can help you get your return of investment.
Thanks for reading.
Ciao for now!
Hi, I am Bianca, a Global Mobility Career Consultant and Founder of Praino Careers, a unique careers consultancy specialising in supporting international students and overseas skilled professionals with their UK career planning and development. I have worked in education for over ten years’ across various settings in UK, Europe and Asia. I have worked extensively with international MBA students based in the UK to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and understanding of how things work in the UK so they can secure jobs. My global outlook on career identity and understanding of the cultural context of career decision making allows me to identify the barriers international MBAs face so I can help them overcome them to establish a successful UK career.
My values: Aspiration | Perseverance | Authenticity | Hope | curiosity What are yours?
Find out more about Praino Carers on praino.co.uk
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