by Soniya Basu | Apr 10, 2025 | Career & Professional Development, Job Hunting
(Because sliding into DMs is cool, but sliding into recruiters’ inboxes is cooler)
If you’ve landed in the UK and you’re on a mission to bag internships, part-time gigs, or a shiny grad job, one platform you can’t afford to ignore is LinkedIn. Think of it as Instagram’s professional cousin — only instead of selfies and memes, you’re sharing wins, work experience, and career goals.
So how do you actually build a LinkedIn profile that gets noticed? And how do you network in a way that doesn’t feel cringey or forced? Here’s the ultimate guide to building a standout LinkedIn profile and networking in the UK like a pro.
📸 1. First Impressions Matter: Fix That Profile
Let’s start with the basics. Your profile is your digital first impression.
What you need:
- Professional profile photo – Doesn’t need to be formal, just clear and confident (ditch the party pic).
- Headline that hits – Instead of just “Student at XYZ Uni,” try something like: “Marketing Student | Interested in Brand Strategy & Content Creation | Open to Internships”
- About section – This is your bio. Keep it real and relevant.
- What are you studying?
- What are you passionate about?
- What kind of roles are you looking for?
Use emojis ✨ if you want to stand out (but don’t overdo it).
📚 2. Share Your Story – Experience, Projects, and Skills
Experience: Add part-time jobs, internships, freelance work — even volunteering. Don’t downplay anything!
Projects: Group projects, capstones, portfolio work — all count. Add them under the “Projects” section.
Skills: List both hard and soft skills. LinkedIn lets others endorse you, so the more accurate your list, the better.
Certifications: Coursera, Google, HubSpot, etc. — show recruiters you’re leveling up.
🤝 3. Networking (Without Feeling Awkward)
Yes, you can send connection requests to strangers. No, it’s not weird (if done right).
Tips:
- Always add a note when connecting — especially with recruiters, alumni, or people in your dream company. “Hi! I’m currently studying Business Analytics at UCL and admire your journey into data consulting. Would love to connect and learn more!”
- Join student and industry-specific groups
- Follow companies you’re interested in
- Engage with content: like, comment, or share posts with your own insights
🌟 Bonus: Look for alumni from your uni working in UK firms — they’re more likely to reply and help!
💡 4. Keep It Active — Post, Share, Flex (Professionally)
Post updates about:
- Events you attend
- Projects you complete
- Internships you land
- Thoughts on topics related to your field
Use hashtags like #InternationalStudentsUK #StudentLife #Careers to reach the right people.
A polished profile + real networking = better job leads, faster. So don’t ghost LinkedIn — show up, shine, and start building your career before graduation sneaks up on you.
by Soniya Basu | Apr 10, 2025 | Career & Professional Development, Job Hunting
(Because your CV should be as sharp as your hustle)
So, you’ve landed in the UK — new country, new vibe, and now you’re eyeing that part-time job, internship, or full-time gig. One small catch: your CV (aka resume) needs to speak the UK language — and no, we’re not just talking about spelling “organise” with an “s.” 😅
Whether you’re coming from Asia, Africa, Europe, or anywhere else, writing a UK-style CV is a must for making the right first impression in the UK job market.
Don’t worry — we’ve broken it down for you, Gen Z + millennial-style. Clean. Simple. Relatable. Let’s go! 🚀
✍️ So, What Even Is a UK-Style CV?
In the UK, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is:
- Usually no more than 2 pages
- Focused on relevant experience
- No photos, no personal info like DOB, nationality, or marital status
- Customised for each job (not one-CV-fits-all)
🧩 What to Include in Your UK CV
1. 📇 Contact Details
- Full name
- UK phone number
- Professional email (leave the “cutiepie93” handle in the past)
- LinkedIn (if it’s job-ready)
✅ No photo
✅ No DOB or passport info
2. 🎯 Personal Statement (aka Your Mini Bio)
This is your quick elevator pitch — 3-4 lines max.
Example:
“Driven international student pursuing MSc in Computer Science at the University of so&so. Skilled in Java, Python, and project management. Looking for part-time tech opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.”
Keep it short, sweet, and tailored to your goals.
3. 🎓 Education (Reverse Order)
Start with your most recent education.
Example:
University of XYZ – MSc Data Analytics
Expected: Sept 2025
Key Modules: Machine Learning, Advanced Statistics, Data Visualization
Optional: Add projects or achievements if they’re relevant to the job you want.
4. 💼 Work & Volunteer Experience
You don’t need loads of experience — just show impact. Use:
- Job title
- Company
- Dates
- 2–4 bullet points per role showing what you did and what changed because of you.
Tip: Start each point with strong action verbs like led, created, organised, improved.
5. 🛠️ Skills Section
This is your flex zone.
Hard skills: Excel, SQL, Python, Canva, Google Analytics
Soft skills: Teamwork, time management, public speaking
Make sure your skills align with the job description.
6. 🔥 Extras (Optional But Powerful)
- Certifications (Udemy, Coursera, etc.)
- Languages spoken
- Hobbies (if relevant or interesting — no “Netflix” please)
- Awards or leadership roles
🚫 What NOT to Do:
- Don’t include your photo, age, or nationality
- Don’t write “CV” at the top — your name is the title
- Don’t go over 2 pages
- Don’t use overly fancy designs — keep it readable
Your UK-style CV should be clear, concise, and tailored. It’s all about how you present what you’ve done.
Focus on your wins, keep the layout clean, and always, always customise for the job.
Hit up the resources on scottishindian.com — your go-to hub for career advice, templates, and job tips.
You’ve got this 💼💥
