Santhosh

The smell of fried chicken isn't as appetising when it's soaked into your clothes after an eight-hour shift.

I was an international student in the UK, juggling coursework by day and doing late-night shifts at KFC just to manage rent, bills, and endless number of job rejections. By the time I hit submit on application number 342 at 2 AM, I was emotionally drained and physically exhausted.

This was never part of the plan.

When I moved to the UK in September 2022, I came with dreams: a shorter degree, global exposure, and a better future. But no one tells you how isolating, overwhelming, and frustrating the journey can be.

In six months:

• I submitted over 700 applications
• Landed just 5 interviews
• Reached 1 final round
• Received 1 offer

On paper, that might sound like a win. But those numbers don't tell the full story.

They don't show the exhaustion of waking up early to submit more applications before class, working late nights at KFC, and returning home past midnight. They don't show the silence after rejections, no feedback, no clarity, just constant self-doubt. They don't show the anxiety of an education loan weighing heavily on your future.

I actually started my job search from India, thinking I was ahead of the game. In reality, I was just getting a head start on rejection emails.

Everything changed when I met Shaki and Varun from Unimad.

I didn't even know I was doing it all wrong until they broke it down for me, including how the UK job market works, and how different it is from India's.

My CV wasn't aligned. My LinkedIn was practically invisible. I had no clear strategy.

Unimad gave me direction.

• Their resume builder helped me restructure my story.
• The Value Proposition Doc helped me showcase my strengths.
• The LinkedIn optimisation made me discoverable by the right people.

For the first time, I wasn't just applying, but I was being seen.

In January 2024, it finally happened.

I got an offer: Payroll Processing Officer at Sopra Steria.

From smelling like fried chicken to handling payrolls: that's my story.

Looking back, I just wish I had found the right guidance sooner. I spent six months trying to figure it all out on my own.

Here's my advice:

• You don't have to do this alone.
• The UK job market is a different game, so know the rules.
• Seek help if you need. Stay consistent. And most importantly, believe in yourself.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right connection to change your story.