Launching Your Future Career in the UK: A Recruitment Guide for Students and Graduate

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Open applications: Many companies launch graduate schemes and internships as early as September to recruit for the following year. This means it’s never too early to apply—even if you’ve just started a new academic year—especially if your goal is to secure a job right after graduation. Keep in mind that some opportunities remain open for less than two weeks, so it’s important to stay alert and act quickly at this stage.

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Interviews and assessments: The timing of these stages varies by company—some begin right away within the same year, while others extend into the second quarter of the following year. During this period, it’s important to manage your time effectively, balancing academic commitments with ongoing applications and preparation for interviews.

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Offers, background checks, and contracts: This stage is just as important as the earlier ones. Stay in regular contact with HR and communicate clearly to address any unexpected issues that may arise before finalising your contract.

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Submit CV and Cover Letter: In the UK, companies typically use a reverse-chronological CV format. Make sure your CV follows this structure and includes keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing the initial screening.

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Behavioural Test: This is a common assessment used to evaluate whether your personality and working style align with the company’s culture. There are no right or wrong answers, so approach it honestly rather than overthinking.

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Video Interview: In this stage, employers provide a set of questions. You’ll usually have limited preparation time before recording your answers on a given platform and submitting them.

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Knowledge and Ability Test: These assessments can take different forms, such as multiple-choice or open-ended questions. They may cover general knowledge of the company and role, numerical or verbal reasoning, as well as industry-specific content.

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Interview: You may be invited to an online or in-person interview with an HR representative and/or the hiring manager. At this stage, questions typically focus on the technical skills and knowledge directly related to the role.

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Assessment Centre: This is often the final stage in the recruitment process for larger companies. It usually involves visiting the company’s offices, participating in group discussions, and completing a series of individual and team-based exercises.

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Visa Sponsorship: After graduation, you can apply for a Graduate Visa, which allows you to work in the UK for up to two years without sponsorship. If you are considering a contract that extends beyond this period, pay close attention to the visa information provided in job postings and discuss future sponsorship options directly with HR.

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Off-Cycle Opportunities: Many companies also open off-cycle internships and roles at various points throughout the year. To avoid missing out, regularly check recruitment channels and company websites for new postings.

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Start Early: It’s never too early to begin applying. Many of the best opportunities are open to students in their final year, so don’t wait until after graduation to start your applications.