Neha Nadiger
Libraries became my second home. Studying was secondary, but building my network was my focus.
Every conversation with seniors, students from other countries, and industry professionals was a small investment that I was making to learn everything I could about life, career and my industry.
How does a Product Management aspirant from India navigate the competitive job market in the UK while juggling coursework, part-time jobs, and a focused job search strategy?
September 2022 was the beginning of my journey at Bayes Business School. Filled with ambition but facing the reality of being an international student in a competitive market.
What followed was a testament to strategic planning, resilience, and the delicate art of balancing immediate needs with long-term goals.
These are my key learnings:
- Make time your ally, not your enemy
The 24 hours we all have can be your greatest asset or your worst limitation. Working 20-hour weeks during term and 40-hour weeks during breaks at McDonald's and H&M taught me to protect my prime hours.
Those precious morning hours when fresh job listings appeared, when my brain worked best, and when LinkedIn connections were most responsive, I jumped and guarded them fiercely, even if it meant serving fries until midnight.
My strategy translated to results: 500 applications, 10 first rounds, 4 final rounds, and eventually that one crucial offer – all because I prioritised my most valuable hours.
- Turn academic requirements to a powerful professional portfolio
My dissertation wasn't just another academic requirement – it was a portfolio piece. Each project was deliberately chosen to align with the Product Management roles I was targeting.
When professors assigned open-ended projects, I strategically selected topics that would enhance my portfolio and provide talking points in interviews.
This changed my academic journey into building credentials that would eventually matter in the job market.
- Use every opportunity to stand out
Tesla was my almost-story, but what a chapter it was. I networked with an employee in the exact role I was interviewing for, prepped until I could answer questions in my sleep, and crafted my story so compellingly that I knew I'd performed exceptionally well.
Though I didn't get the job, standing toe-to-toe with one of the world's most competitive companies confirmed I wasn't just dreaming anymore. These experiences, reaching the final rounds with Tesla, networking my way into Women In Product UK, securing an internship in Product Management at an AI startup, became powerful narrative elements in subsequent interviews.
- Find tools that sharpen your approach
When Unimad entered my journey, my approach gained precision. Their modules didn't just help me build a CV but forced me to articulate who I am, what I've achieved, and what makes me unique.
The Value Proposition Document was something enormously helpful, allowing me to clearly communicate my strengths and relevance to recruiters and professionals.
The focus on specific titles and industries transformed my job search from broad shots in the dark to targeted, strategic applications.
Looking back, I'd change three things:
- Be clear about my niche from Day 1
- Start the job search from Day 1
- Be consistent as hell
But would I change those late McDonald's shifts? The exhausting H&M weekends? The library networking marathons?
Not a chance.
Because two years of sweat, and tears shaped me into someone who could land an Associate Product Manager role at Milestone Inc., a US-based company.
This journey offered more than just a job but built foundations that make you a winner in life. The international student experience isn't just about securing employment; it's about transformation. It redefines your perspective, capabilities, and understanding of what you can achieve under pressure.
Just believe you can do it, and you will.