Generations of Indian students consider the UK the perfect study destination for higher education, acknowledging numerous benefits of studying there, such as quality education, world-ranking UK Universities, strong research infrastructure, globally recognised courses and degrees, and cultural diversity.
Amongst other benefits, the UK’s diverse job sectors, numerous employment opportunities, and internships are the greatest factors that make studying in the UK a top option. The competition is fierce in the graduate job market, and to stand out, participation in an internship or work experience through a job is vital to secure your dream job.
However, finding a job and internship can be overwhelming if you are not fully prepared to make the most of the job opportunities in the UK. We have compiled tips below to help you secure an internship or placement while studying in the UK.
9 Tips for Finding a Placement or Internship
To make sure of taking the right step forward and boost your chances of finding job opportunities, students on the job hunt should consider these practical tips:
1. Prepare a CV that caters to the requirements of UK employers
In addition to highlighting your technical skills, include your soft skills also. For instance, you can mention a part-time job at Mcdonald's that helped to boost your confidence and enhanced your understanding of customer service.
2. Build a LinkedIn profile and maintain a sensible social media account
Some companies may ask you to fill out application forms using details on your LinkedIn profile to make the process quicker and easier. When you are pre-screened, companies may visit your social media profile. Make sure that you are level-headed & selective in what you like, subscribe or follow.
3. Focus on meeting entry requirements for internships
Problem-solving, analytical skills, organisational skills, business and global acumen, interpersonal relations and effective communication skills are some core competencies that you may find frequently on the career pages of various companies. You can strengthen your understanding of what the organisations expect by browsing their web pages, where they clearly mention the core competencies they are looking for or even the guidelines on tips for the student application process.
4. Search career web pages
Websites of UK universities provide a good amount of information about career services and student support, career fairs and guest speakers’ visits. All this information can help you know how committed the university is and help you prepare in advance for what to expect.
5. Meet career counsellors
Meeting the career counselling team after getting settled at the university will help you connect with the faculty, alumni and career professionals. They will help you identify your skills, map your talent, and make career-related decisions. You can use employers’ directories and other relevant materials easily procured from their offices.
6. Ask for mock interview practice
Most UK universities provide generous support to students who qualify for internships or jobs. They may provide you with a free counselling session or even a mock interview session. Organising your thoughts into Situation, Task, Action and Result (STAR Method) can help you respond to behavioural-based questions immensely.
7. Undertake online practice tests
Psychometric tests can help you understand your strengths and personality type and identify your areas of improvement. Counselling offices in many UK universities have in-house psychometric tests.
8. Attend job fairs and work on your questions
Attending career fairs can seem intimidating and daunting to students. Still, it provides advantages regarding network opportunities, gaining industry insight, interaction with potential employers, and even improving the chance for a callback. Always prepare presumed questions prudently beforehand and converse with the employers confidently. Express your interest in the organisation, and you may ask about the internship scheme to heighten your knowledge about the assessment process.
9. Ask for feedback
Some companies may provide feedback if you make it to the assessment centre. You may even receive personalised feedback depicting the top of your strengths and where you can improve.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 
