One of the biggest questions for graduates after they’ve completed their studies is whether to start their career in a city or country they know well, or begin afresh somewhere new. 

For national and international new graduates, working out where to work or what role to choose can be useful. Whatever the challenge, it can be made tougher if the UK economy is unstable or if there is a looming Government election that might impact your graduate job search. 

However, there are a wealth of online resources available to support graduates and many businesses are going to great lengths to provide additional online support during challenging times. This article explores the benefits of beginning your job search in a location you already know compared to in an unfamiliar place.

Understanding career prospects in London

For new graduates, the prospects and benefits of working in London at the start of your career are exciting whether you are local to the area, from elsewhere in the UK or an international applicant. The capital has an unparalleled concentration of job opportunities across every sector, with 49% of workers holding a degree – the highest in any UK city.

Moreover, most leading companies in London are constantly on the lookout for top graduates. So, if you are planning to stay in the capital to begin your career, the city offers great networking possibilities, career progression and experiences that are second to none. The biggest draws for graduates in London and other top cities are the amount of job prospects, competitive salaries, and abundant vacancies. From Glasgow or Birmingham to Leicester and Belfast, larger cities offer local and international graduates a breadth of opportunities whatever job you’re looking for.

Weigh up your lifestyle versus salary expectations

While starting a career in any new place is an exciting time, it can come with a host of challenges. You will need to weigh up the salary you can expect against your rent, commute, general cost of living and any lifestyle factors you’d like. Finding a rental in London, for example, can be just as competitive as securing your first job, so ideally look for housing while you’re still studying and research an area you’re interested in before you start your job search.

You may need to adjust your expectations according to your budget, personal circumstances, housing situations and family circumstances. These factors all play a pivotal role in helping you to decide where to live and start your job search. From taking on too many hours, or learning to say ‘No’ to unrealistic working patterns early on in your career, it is important to consider where you choose to work and how to achieve a healthy work/life balance. 

Tune into your personal preferences for the type of location, size or company you’d like to work for, and lifestyle you ideally want to embrace in these vital first years. Be honest about whether you crave more familiarity and would prefer to return to your home country, or if you are determined to chase every new opportunity and experience.

Stay close to home

Staying close to home or a location you have already been studying in to launch your career can have significant advantages. The costs and stress of moving to an entirely new city or country are avoided, allowing for a smoother transition into working life. Everything from housing to banking to transport links is already familiar, providing a solid base to build on.

Having an established local support network of family and friends nearby as you adjust to the working world can be great during the first few months of a new job. Yet, if you are willing to explore new opportunities further afield or even internationally, you will have a wider range of job possibilities to consider. 

Meanwhile, if you’re an international student, returning to your home country has the obvious plus points of familiarity and personal ties. As a graduate, though, your degree, skills and experiences might prove more lucrative and inspiring if you stay in the UK especially for in-demand sectors, such as finance, technology and engineering.

Remain in the UK after your studies

If you have finished your degree here from abroad, you might be one of a number of people who want to remain in a place they’ve come to love with a new set of friends, experiences, relevant skills and work connections. 

As an international graduate, you have multiple visa pathways to explore if you do want to remain in the UK to start your career. Two key options are the UK government’s Graduate Route visa and the Skilled Worker route. Getting additional post-study work experience and support can be invaluable for learning how to progress in the long-term. 

Having a clear budget and financial plan is critical, including getting a handle on issues like UK tax laws, international finance logistics and differing costs of living. The important thing to remember is you’re not on your own. While there is limited governmental support available for non-EU citizens wanting to work in Europe, some companies offer great support services.

No matter which direction you ultimately go in, there are some universal factors that should guide your decision. Every situation and individual’s priorities are different. The key is carefully weighing up all the factors – professional, financial, personal and more – and making the decision that sets you up for the greatest chance at overall career success and happiness as you launch into this exhilarating next chapter.

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Thank you to Dakota for writing this blog!

Dakota Murphey is an established freelance writer who regularly contributes to a number of authoritative resources online. She specialises in eCommerce, Digital Business, Marketing, Public Relations, Human Resources, Company Growth and Cybersecurity.