Most international students think beyond getting a foreign degree from a world-class university as they pursue their study abroad plans. They aspire to live and work abroad, find lucrative opportunities with global organizations, and gain horizon-broadening experiences. Countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada are among the most popular destinations because of their robust post-study work visa options.

But exploring the post-study work option requires good planning, and students with a head start always have better prospects. It makes sense to understand the steps you need to follow because the visa formalities and processes differ from country to country. However, the overall strategy is pretty much the same. The best piece of advice is to start preparing early. We have been picking up post-study visa norms in our global education destinations segment. Here we will share some practical tips on how you can take the post-study plans ahead.

CONTACT THE GRADUATE RECRUITMENT TEAM IN YOUR UNIVERSITY

The best place to start is by contacting the graduation recruitment department of your university and using their services to your advantage. Even as they cannot guarantee you a visa or job at the completion of your degrees, they do have all the information you need. You can learn how the local job market functions and what you can expect from the work culture. The officials here can also give you some helpful tips on conducting yourself and presenting yourself on paper and in person. You can definitely get better chances of landing a job post-degree with the right guidance.

LEARN TO CREATE IMPACTFUL RESUMES

You cannot undermine the value of an impactful resume if you plan to work abroad post-study. Do not expect the new CV to be the same as the one you shared for casual jobs as a student. Applying for graduate roles is different as you will have to tailor resumes for every role and job you apply to. Highlight the right skills and relevant experience to get attention at the right places. Go creative with ideas like a video CV and use the right keywords that make you more searchable. To circle back, you can benefit from your university’s careers services for this one too. Many even offer interview preparation services and training workshops that include resume-building tips.

BE VISIBLE ACROSS EVERY PLATFORM THAT MATTERS

Recruitment primarily happens online these days, so your profile must be visible on every platform that recruiters check. Start by creating an impressive LinkedIn profile and participate actively even when you are still studying. It enables you to build a network of connections you can tap once you dive into the job market. You will probably be a part of the recruitment portal of your university, but don’t underestimate it because you never know where an opportunity can come from. Go the extra mile to optimize your profile, right from having a professional picture to picking the right keywords to match the platform’s search algorithms. Start early and learn the ropes so that you are good enough by the time you start looking for jobs.

DOMAIN-SPECIFIC UPSKILLING HELPS

Wherever you are, you can expect booming competition in the job market. You may have to work extra hard to avail yourself of the best opportunities as an international graduate. Skills and talents are vital, but you can gain an advantage with domain-specific upskilling. It makes sense to choose projects wisely throughout your studies. Pick ones relevant to the industry you favour because you will have an add-on to show in your portfolio. Use your free time for additional upskilling or even try getting relevant experience as you pick part-time jobs during the years in university.

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS

When you spend a few years studying abroad in a country, you will be comfortable with the culture and environment. It will be easy to blend in if you get a job here, but you may have to struggle if the market is oversaturated with talent. An open mindset sets you up for better decisions as you may have to think beyond the country and broaden your horizons. You may have much better chances of securing a highly lucrative job with your degree, which could be in demand in another country. Moving to greener pastures is a hard decision as you will need to be mentally prepared. It will also require extensive research and a time-consuming visa process, but the decision will be worthwhile in most cases.

Choosing to work overseas after completing your degree from a foreign university could be the first step to settling in the country of your dreams. Whether you find an opportunity in the same country or pick it elsewhere, remember that it will be a lot of work. But it is worth the effort because the decision may define the rest of your professional career, life, and future. Give it all the thinking, planning, and hard work you can!