Career Advice

8 Tips for Securing a Visa Sponsored Job in a Competitive Market

Securing a visa sponsored job in a competitive market can be challenging, especially if you're an international job seeker. Sometimes you may notice that the same job you applied for has already received 200+ applicants. It may sound intimidating. But with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success. In this article, we'll provide you with some tips for securing a visa sponsored job in a competitive market.

1. Research Your Target Companies

The first step to securing a visa sponsored job is to research your target companies. Identify the companies that sponsor visas for international workers and focus your job search on them. As all employers on UK Visa Jobs sponsor work visas, it can be your starting point.

Once you have identified the companies and positions that you want to apply to, you should make sure you understand the company's products, services, mission, culture, and values before applying for a job. This will help you choose the right employer and allow you to demonstrate your strong motivation during the selection process.

2. Showcase Your Skills

If you're applying for a visa sponsored job in the UK, you must demonstrate that you can speak English at a reasonable level. As most of the visa sponsoring employers are global companies, they may also hire someone who can speak other languages. Showcasing your language skills can give you an advantage over other candidates.

Make sure you highlight your language skills as well as other job-related soft and technical skills in your CV and cover letter, and be prepared to demonstrate them during the interview.

3. Be Flexible

Being flexible about your job preferences can increase your chances of getting a visa sponsored job. Consider taking on temporary or contract work to gain experience and build relationships in your industry. If you find it very difficult to get a visa sponsorship given your limited experience, you can also consider working for a UK company remotely if they offer such opportunities. Once you have proven your skills, they may happily support you with visa application and relocation. Being open to different types of job opportunities can also help you find a visa sponsored job faster.

4. Prepare for Job Interviews

If you receive an invitation for an interview, it means the company is considering you for potential employment. During an interview, you may need to answer questions about your visa status, work history, and skills. So, you should do anything you can to be fully prepared for your interview. Imagine the job that you are applying for has received 200+ applicants, and 20 of them are selected for interviews. If you are not well-prepared, the opportunity can easily be given to someone else. If you have not been to an interview before or do not know how to prepare, you may find our webinars useful.

5. Be Proactive and build your network

Don't wait for job opportunities to come to you. Be proactive in your job search by reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers. Let them know that you're interested in their job opportunities and ask if they have any available positions that can sponsor a work visa.

Networking is an essential part of any job search too, especially when you're an international job seeker. Connect with professionals in your industry through LinkedIn, industry events, and job fairs. Building relationships with people in your field can help you find job opportunities that may not be advertised online.

6. Consider a Career Coach

If you're struggling to find a visa sponsored job, consider hiring a career coach. A career coach can help you develop a job search strategy, improve your CV and cover letter, and provide you with valuable job search advice. If you cannot afford a career coach, you can consider our Biannual Plan, which comes with personalised career advice. Although it is not career coaching, our team can still help you apply for jobs more efficiently.

7. Focus on Building Your Skills

Building your skills and knowledge in your industry can increase your chances of getting a visa sponsored job. Consider taking courses or certifications to improve your skills and make yourself a more competitive candidate.

8. Stay Positive

Finally, staying positive is crucial when you're looking for a visa sponsored job. It can take time to find the right job opportunity, but staying positive and persistent can help you achieve your career goals.

Securing a visa sponsored job in a competitive market can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success. Research your target companies, tailor your CV and cover letter, showcase your skills, be flexible, prepare for interviews, be proactive and build your network, consider a career coach, focus on building your skills, and stay positive. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to securing your dream job with visa sponsorship in the UK.