How are Brit-Asian Graduates Navigating the Job Market?

Navigating the job market as a graduate in the UK can be daunting as the landscape is continually changing and competition is fierce.

British Asian graduates, such as those from Pakistani, Bengali, Sri Lankan and Indian backgrounds, can face significant challenges in the UK job market.

Issues of bias and discrimination can also be a concern for graduates, such as those from South Asian backgrounds.

Yet, mechanisms can be used to help Brit-Asian graduates as they search for work potentially.

DESIblitz explores how Brit-Asian graduates are navigating the job market.

The Role of the Family and Mental Health

Finishing university and navigating the job market can impact mental health and well-being.

Moreover, family and societal judgment can add pressure on Desi graduates navigating the job market.

Hasina*, a 33-year-old British Bangladeshi, graduated with a law degree. She told DESIblitz about her struggles during her job search:

”I felt as though I shouldn’t bother applying or aiming for a job due to not achieving the grade that I wanted and then falling into depression.

“Lack of information and the feeling of lack of options definitely played a part in crippling me.

“Not to mention the societal expectations and taboo which come with being unemployed, especially at the time when I graduated.

“You were named and shamed amongst relatives if you didn’t achieve good grades or were unemployed.”

However, family support and input can also be invaluable. Hasina continued:

“Family support definitely played a huge role, and then dipping my feet into the working world.

“After much contemplation, research, and family input and support, I came to the conclusion that it’s best to explore what it would be like to join the legal field.

“But starting at the bottom as an assistant instead of a solicitor the way I had hoped.

“Since then, I’ve managed to climb up the ladder all the way to a property lawyer, where I’ve had offers to become a director of a firm.”

Due to her experiences, Hasina recommended graduates be flexible in their approach to the job market:

“Do not adopt a black-and-white perception of life after graduation.

“Keep researching, exploring, and trying any profession at different levels until you find your fit. I guess it’s a bit like dating.”

Job hunting can be stressful. The family can be an invaluable source of advice, helping alleviate stress and strain.

However, there are occasions where family pressure can add stress to the job search.

Managing stress through activities like exercise, meditation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important.

It’s also vital to seek help when needed. Mind offers resources for managing mental health.

Gaining Work Experience and Job Interviews

During university, Brit-Asians can explore, learn and discover in ways they could not before and may not be able to do once they graduate.

However, focusing on studying and the experience can cause stress once graduation comes and graduates need to find a job.

Sonila, a 25-year-old British Indian, said:

“My parents were adamant I wouldn’t work during undergrad. It was different with postgrad.

“So what I did was apply to be a student ambassador; for them, that wasn’t work that would damage my grades.

“Other friends in my situation did voluntary work on campus.

“It all counts as work experience.”

“What many graduates do not recognise is that all the studying we do is a form of work and work experience.

“In group work at uni, almost everyone has had to deal with issues.

“This experience means we can productively engage with colleagues in the workforce.

“Then there’s the written and verbal work we do. It’s all experience and skills we can highlight to prospective employers.

“You need to know how to strategically word things during the job search, in applications and interviews.

“Fake it until you make it.”

For Sonila, even where confidence does not exist, a persona of confidence must be created to navigate the job market successfully.

Job interview advice can be found online, and graduates can practice with family and friends.

Moreover, through recruitment sites like Unitemps, it is possible to gain paid work as a practice interviewee.

Building a Strong CV and Cover Letter

Entering the job market can be daunting, but having a strong CV and cover letter is invaluable and can help.

Sohiel*, a 25-year-old British Pakistani who graduated with a degree in Sociology and Criminology, stated:

“Taking advantage of the student services support saved me tons of stress. They showed me how to talk and write about my transferrable skills.

“If you’ve had paid work or voluntary work at university, or not, everyone has transferrable skills.”

“They helped me with developing my CV and cover letter. People forget the cover letter; it might be optional with some job apps, but do it.

“Knowing I had a solid CV and cover letter with the help of pros was a massive confidence boost. I used them as a base and then tweaked them for each job.

“I didn’t have the stress some of my mates had, who hadn’t drafted a proper CV or cover letter.”

A tailored CV is more likely to catch an employer’s eye.

According to Prospects‘ graduate job and support website, a well-structured CV should highlight relevant skills and experience.

Customising your CV for each application increases your chances of getting noticed.

Networking and Mentoring

Networking and good mentoring can be beneficial as graduates navigate the job market.

Universities often have career services that offer networking events and workshops.

There are also national and local fairs that take place within communities.

Sonila found attending university events and community job fairs highly useful:

“It can be nerve-racking when you first start attending events and fairs, but it helps you make great contacts.

“The university events are safe spaces, and I met professionals I wouldn’t have otherwise. Universities have unexpected connections.

“It doesn’t always happen, but at the job fairs, I had one or two professionals willing to stay in touch and give me advice.

“Don’t be afraid to try and engage, whether you attend with friends or alone; it really will help.”

Mentoring and networking are essential in career development.

Networking and entering mentoring schemes can give students and graduates indispensable insights, guidance, and opportunities, all of which may not be accessible through formal job search methods alone.

Leveraging Online Platforms

Using online platforms such as LinkedIn and job boards is important for engaging with prospective employers and accessing the job market.

The role of social media and the digital world has evolved substantially.

Platforms like LinkedIn are a powerful tool for job seekers.

Building a professional profile and connecting with industry professionals can open doors to job opportunities.

Mo, a 25-year-old British Bangladeshi who graduated with a degree in Information Technology (IT), found online platforms an eyeopener:

“LinkedIn worked out great for getting freelance and other work.

“I needed help from my brother, but once I started posting and applying through it, my mind was blown.

“It took a while, though. I almost gave up. Never give up.”

Online platforms have become an indispensable tool for those looking for work and can be a real asset for graduates.

Navigating Discrimination and Bias in the Job Market

Brit-Asian graduates can find themselves navigating through issues of discrimination and bias in the job market.

Research has shown that ethnicity and gender can matter in and throughout the job market.

In 2022, research by Totaljobs and The Diversity Trust found that it takes South Asian and Black women in the UK at least two months longer than their White colleagues to secure their first job. This delay occurs after leaving education.

It took the average South woman 4.9 months to secure their first role after leaving education.

Moreover, in 2021, the Race Equality Foundation found that Asian, Black, and other “ethnically diverse employees” witness or experience racial harassment twice as often as White employees.

Such harassment is from managers, customers and colleagues.

Mobeen, a 30-year-old British Pakistani who graduated with a degree in Pharmacy, told DESIblitz:

“Personally, I didn’t have an issue when it came to racism, possibly due to the heavy saturation of Asians in my field and location.

“But friends and family after graduating and school have had issues due to being too Asian and had to change their tone.

“I’ve got friends who refused to change anything, though, and are now doing well; it’s difficult.

“Depending on the field, having professionals you can go to for advice from a similar background helps, as does having a network.

“Take advantage of everything the university offers before and after graduation.”

“One of my friends always says if you’re a woman, working class, not white, ‘act like a privileged super confident white male’.

“For her, this is what we need to do when doing job applications and cover letters. She is right. We can undersell ourselves.”

Navigating the job market as a British Asian graduate requires a multifaceted approach.

For example, one must build a strong CV, gain relevant experience, network, leverage online platforms, and continue professional development.

In doing so, graduates can significantly enhance their employment prospects.

Maintaining mental health and seeking support when needed is crucial for a successful job search.