In the business school where I am studying for the MSc Internationat Marketing Management program, among my compatriots the conversation is all about ways and techniques for finding a place in the sun. And for some reason, in almost all cases, this place is sought within the borders of the Kingdom. The unyielding determination to return to one’s own country after completing the course, so diligently demonstrated to the visa officer at the embassy to obtain a study visa, has blown away as if by the wind.
To return or to stay?
In principle, many employers await a newly minted graduate of a British university with open arms. But not every offer will suit me and my peers studying on the English side. As a result, many spend months rejecting offers unworthy of attention until they find something suitable. Others immediately return to their former employers, but already in higher positions, and rejoice in career growth and a profitable investment in education. However, many of us are advised by our British consultants to work in the UK, so as to bring back from the islands not only a diploma, but also work experience in the European capital of business.
Where to start?
They say that British employees of HP (Human Resources) departments spend about 20 seconds on each application, so it is extremely important to be able to make an impression on paper so that they want to meet you. Experienced career service consultants at the university can help a student with this. Armed with an impressive resume, already at the end of the first semester the student begins to submit applications for vacancies they have taken a liking to. The fact is that recruitment of graduates for graduate positions begins in winter-spring and ends in summer. Such serious positions in companies require filling out online questionnaires, including writing several mini-essays for each. What a disappointment for the student when, after so much effort, he receives a negative response with a note like: ‘Due to the large number of applications, we cannot individually explain to you the reason for refusal...’
Why aren’t they hired?
The reason, as a rule, lies in British labor legislation. On the one hand, many companies adhere to a policy of equal opportunities for candidates (equal opportunities). On the other hand, the employer is legally obliged to begin considering applications with Britons, then - if necessary! - move on to citizens of countries belonging to the European Economic Area (European Economic Area - EEA), and only then everyone else.
If your qualities maximally correspond to the requirements for the candidate (for example, a master’s degree, experience working with emerging markets, knowledge of a language in addition to English), and British and European candidates cannot compete with you even after some training, then you have a chance. Or rather, a paper in the form of an offer conditional upon work permit (a job offer valid on condition of obtaining a work permit). The employer sends an application to the Home Office (equivalent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs) for a ‘work permit’. And if the Home Office responds positively, you are accepted. Otherwise, the chosen reserve candidate is considered.
Your chances may increase if you represent one of the scarce professions, such as, for example, actuaries (analysts in insurance). My good friend Maxim Perepelkin landed the position of Actuary trainee (trainee actuary) in the insurance department of a major bank, where he faces five years of study to become a qualified actuary and a gradual increase in income from 18-20 thousand pounds per year to 40 thousand. As soon as all exams are passed, he can expect 60-65 thousand in an insurance company or move into consulting at 70-75 thousand (here you will have to work longer hours - perhaps also on weekends).
Normal heroes will always find an approach
Among the ‘alternative’ paths to finding an employer, the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (Migration Programme for Highly Qualified Specialists) is effective. This programme (details at www.work-ingintheuk.gov.uk) suits those who have not only work experience at home, but also documentary confirmation of a decent income in the past. In order to submit an application, you need to score 65 points, which are made up of a set of criteria: education (15 - bachelor’s, 25 - master’s, 30 - postgraduate), work experience (25 - two years, 35 - four years, 50 - four years, including a year in a managerial position), earnings over the last 12 months of work in your country (from 25 points for 8,450 pounds per year and more to 50 points - from 18.7 thousand). Under the criterion called ‘achievements’, you can get 15 or 25 points for professional awards, published research, and inventions. By the way, 10 points can be added for the achievements of a partner/spouse, as well as 5 points for persons who have not yet turned 28 at the time the British Home Office considers the application.
The most common obstacle that arises in cases with our compatriots is problems with confirming past earnings. For some of my fellow students, high salaries, both in domestic and international companies, were mostly paid under the table, which prevents the previous employer from officially confirming the required income level. Your employer’s willingness to ‘make up’ the required figure will not help: the British are often not satisfied with a certificate from the employer and request tax forms, payslips (payslips - mandatory in the UK), bank statements, etc.
Although it happens that even pedantic Englishmen, as they say, make allowances. Two female students I know were paid their salaries in cash back home, while the British demanded payslips and bank statements as proof. Moreover, one of them had a real salary that fell short of the required level. After writing a detailed letter to the consultants of the document review service about how complicated our salary payment schemes are, both successfully received «permissions».
Summer internship
Not the worst option: a summer internship at a blue chip firm, which is easier to get into than a job. Moreover, after it, the chances of employment noticeably increase. Evgeny Melnikov, a graduate of Cass Business School, tried to get into Morgan Stanley, the «coolest» investment bank. Following the memo «How to Get into an Investment Bank» (found on a recruitment agency's website), he persistently attended company presentations at his business school and talked to their representatives, then referred to them when applying for a job. Having reached the assessment stage, Evgeny still could not withstand the tough competition from the British. They simply «overwhelmed» the foreigner with fast speech and complex vocabulary, anticipating in advance that they would lose to him in mathematics. But Evgeny turned out not to be so simple: having made contact with a fellow countrywoman who conducted interviews, he was subsequently invited to Credit Suisse First Boston, where his new acquaintance had moved to a higher position. Thus Evgeny first received an unpaid summer internship, and then a two-year contract.
Narrow specialization
You can limit yourself to vacancies that use a unique combination of candidate qualities — for example, Russian language + a marketing degree + work experience in telecommunications. By the way, surprisingly, mastery of the Russian language is among the most unique.
In addition to the companies' own websites, you can use agency websites or job databases for those who speak foreign languages (such as www.reed.co.uk). Such employers, as a rule, are more prepared to obtain a «work permit». So, the author of these lines received a job offer after the first three applications filled out and submitted on the website.
Life story
Natasha Mironova, formerly a PA (personal assistant) to the president of one of the largest foreign insurance companies in our country, came to the UK to study for an MSc in Money, Banking and Finance, with the aim of switching from the administrative to the professional sphere. Despite just receiving a master's degree from the Financial Academy, she decided to go to the UK for more specialized and practical education.
After completing an internship at the London office of the company she had worked for at home, Natasha received a contract and stayed for a two-year training program. If everything goes according to plan, she will be appointed to the position of RA (research analyst, i.e., analyst) or junior portfolio manager. Natasha believes that the chances of employment for our compatriots in investment banking are high, for example, in emerging markets departments for an entry-level analyst position. Natasha assumes that if she returned home now, she could count on a similar position. Although, in her opinion, it makes sense to live in London precisely to gain work experience.
The financial aspect is also calculated by my compatriots. The same Natasha compares the cost of living and salary levels in the two capitals. Currently renting a room in a residential building for 600 pounds a month and earning 30,000 pounds a year, she says that at home an equivalent standard of living is ensured with a monthly salary of $2,000, minus $500 a month for a rented apartment in a similar area. At the same time, she believes that the 20,000 pounds spent on a year of study and living in London will pay off faster in the British capital.
She sees that many of our compatriots are eager to return after five years in the UK, and believes that this is mainly because of money. Even the recruitment agencies she spoke with asked why she wanted a job in London if everyone is now rushing to her homeland because the biggest money is there. Natasha understands this perfectly, so she does not say with certainty that she will stay, adhering to the classic slogan: Never say never.