The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), a member of UKCISA’s International Student Employability Group (ISEG), has captured the experiences of international graduates seeking employment in the UK after graduation in a series of case studies.
Who are you?
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Name
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Anonymous
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Nationality / country of origin
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Pakistan
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Current visa
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Skilled Worker (application in process)
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Are your expectations of your Graduate route visa being met?
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Disagree
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University, level of study and programme of study
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University in the east Midlands
Higher degree, mainly by taught course (eg. MA, MSC, MBA)
Marketing
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How many roles have you applied for since leaving university?
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1-10
I was rejected from about 5 companies, but convinced the company I was interning with to apply for a sponsor license
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Current activity
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Employed – full time (temporary contract as I could not sign a permanent contract on a student visa, and my company was in the process of getting a sponsor license)
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Where do you work?
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Job title
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Paid Media Specialist
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Employer / organisation
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Digital marketing agency
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Region of your contracted place of work
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East Midlands
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Briefly describe your role and your main responsibilities
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I work in an agency where I run ads on digital platforms and develop strategies for advertising
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Time between the end of your course and start date for your current role
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Less than 3 months
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How did you find your current job?
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Through a contact (eg. Tutor, friend, previous employer)
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Thoughts on your visa
It takes 5 years for an immigrant to get indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and a license lasts 4 years. That means a company and an individual have to pay twice, and it just seems unfair.
Otherwise, the timeline for the company’s license was fast and my own visa came within a week. It was an extremely smooth process and the online service to switch visa is extremely easy and doesn’t need any extra evidence.
Once I had received my Certificate of Sponsorship, the process was quite simple. Previously, the process was in person, but my entire application was online and was processed within 5 days. The cost, however, is extremely high.
Support and development
While at university, I had a one-to-one appointment with a careers adviser and received CV feedback. I had practice interviews and attended assessment centres. I attended an employer event, skills enhancement sessions and a careers fair. I also gained access to job vacancy listings.
I managed to get the job right after graduation, but during university I did multiple internships and attended short courses and networking events.
“I feel like there is a huge resistance to hiring people who need a visa.”
Employer knowledge and attitudes
I would say employers’ knowledge of post-study work visas is non-existent. Although the Graduate route visa was introduced and, I believe, the Skilled Worker visa was made cheaper, employers are unaware of the process and may feel daunted by it.
I work for a relatively small company and the process was long for them as well. Companies may also find themselves not wanting to invest in a license without knowing if the employee they are hiring is worth it.
When employers don’t want to get a license, they also don’t want to hire those on the Graduate route as they know it expires after 2 years.
I have only applied to a few companies, but I feel like there is a huge resistance to hiring people who need a visa. That question is part of the application form and it instantly makes us feel alienated. Some companies also claim that they will not sponsor. It’s just a given. It’s hard. Employers are not educated on the process and are daunted by it heavily.
“Internships give companies and students both a chance to see if they’re a good fit.”
What advice would you give to current international students seeking graduate employment in the UK?
I would advise them to:
- Do internships. Internships give companies and students both a chance to see if they’re a good fit. From an employment perspective, companies can feel more confident in sponsoring as they have already seen the work of the student.
- Be your own brand ambassador and memorise the sponsorship process, then prove your worth in an internship, keep an eye on their vacancies, and convince them to get the license. Talk them through the process and the costs, this is the only way, unless you make it into a big company.
