Guidance on recruiting talent

The way you write your job advert plays a key role in attracting the right candidates. Here are some of our top tips: 

• Put yourself in the student’s shoes – what would make you want to apply?
• Use an accurate, clear job title that students will recognise
• Clearly outline the main responsibilities, skills and experience needed
• Describe what it’s like to work at your organisation
• Keep it simple – use short paragraphs and bullet points where possible
• Provide clear details about pay and ensure application details are easy to follow
• Tailor your language for students and recent graduates

We have a diverse community of students at Westminster. 

• 73% are from London boroughs
• 58% are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds
• 54% are the first in their family to go to university

Inclusive recruitment helps you reach the best talent while supporting equal access to opportunities. We advise you to consider the following:  

• Representation – students value seeing diverse employer representatives at events
• Timing – avoid deadlines or events that clash with faith obligations, religious holidays or term dates
• Reasonable adjustments – allow candidates to disclose disabilities and request adjustments at every stage
• Digital accessibility – ensure all marketing materials, handouts and slides are fully accessible
• Physical accessibility – if you’re hosting a meeting or event off campus, make sure the venue has accessible facilities

For further guidance, read this article from Prospects Luminate.

We’re proud to welcome students from over 160 countries. International students and graduates can bring resilience, commitment, language skills and global perspectives to your organisation.

International students

Many students on a UK visa can work up to 20 hours per week while studying. Most can also complete a full-time work placement if it’s approved by the University as part of their course.

International graduates 

After graduating, international students can apply for a Graduate visa, which allows them to stay in the UK for up to two years (or three years for PhD graduates).

This visa doesn’t require employer sponsorship, and graduates apply and pay for it themselves – meaning you don’t need a Home Office sponsor licence to employ them. 

Offering inclusive, structured work experience helps students and graduates develop real-world skills while connecting your organisation with emerging talent.

For advice on providing valuable and mutually beneficial opportunities, download our good practice guide for employers (PDF).

Large organisations often have dedicated graduate recruiters, so it’s important to know how to stand out if you’re an SME.

Based on research into student preferences, we’ve created a practical guide to recruiting graduates for SMEs (Word Doc).