Every week, I speak to professionals from India who arrive in the UK with hope, confidence, and ambition. Many are qualified. Many are certified. Some have years of experience behind them.
Yet after a few months, the same conversations repeat themselves: confusion, financial stress, rejection emails, and a quiet question they don’t always say out loud — “Did I make the wrong decision?”
This article is not written to discourage you. It is written to guide you — honestly, calmly, and responsibly.
Because the real struggle is not lack of talent.
The real struggle is lack of awareness.
The Reality of the UK Job Market Since 2025
The UK job market is very different from what many people imagine before arriving.
- Hiring has slowed across multiple industries
- Companies are cautious with budgets
- Visa sponsorship has become highly selective
- Employers strongly prefer candidates with UK experience
- One role can receive over 100 applications within days
This does not mean there are no jobs.
It means the bar is higher, the competition is tougher, and the rules are different.
Understanding this early saves you months of frustration.
Sponsorship: The Wall Most People Hit First
This is one of the hardest truths to accept.
Most UK employers:
- Do not want to deal with visa sponsorship
- Avoid immigration risk unless absolutely necessary
- Filter candidates based on visa status before skills
Even strong profiles are often rejected before interviews once sponsorship is mentioned.
This is not a reflection of your ability.
But it is a reality you must plan around.
Skills may open doors — but visa status often decides whether the door stays open.
Financial and Mental Pressure: The Silent Struggle
Most people plan for:
- Tuition fees
- Initial rent
- Basic living expenses
What many do not plan for:
- 6–9 months without a professional job
- Council tax and travel costs
- Emergency expenses
- Visa extension pressure
- The emotional toll of uncertainty
I’ve seen capable professionals lose confidence, take on debt, and feel disconnected from their original goals.
Struggling does not mean you failed.
It means you were not shown the full picture early enough.
The Fake Hope Created Online
Social media often shows:
- I got a £60k job in 2 months
- Just do certifications
- The UK has unlimited opportunities
What is rarely shown:
- Referrals and internal networks
- UK work experience
- Permanent residency or citizenship
- Years of groundwork
Comparing your journey with someone else’s highlight reel is unfair to yourself.
Your journey is real.
It deserves honesty, not hype.
The Salesforce Reality in the UK: What No One Explains Properly
This section is especially important for Salesforce professionals.
The Common Salesforce Myth
- Salesforce is in demand everywhere
- Certifications guarantee jobs
- Trailhead + Admin cert is enough
The UK Salesforce Reality
- Entry-level Salesforce roles are oversaturated
- Employers expect UK business exposure
- Communication matters more than tools
- Salesforce is treated as a business system, not just a platform
Many candidates know how Salesforce works.
Fewer can explain why a solution is designed a certain way.
And that difference matters in the UK.
What UK Salesforce Employers Actually Look For
✔ Understanding of business processes
✔ Requirement gathering and stakeholder conversations
✔ Data quality and reporting awareness
✔ Confidence explaining decisions, not just features
✔ Real examples — even small or volunteer ones
Certifications are respected — but only when supported by applied experience.
Why Certifications Are Not Failing You (But They Are Not Saving You Either)
This is where many people feel confused.
Certifications are not useless.
They are foundations.
But without:
- Hands-on experience
- Business context
- Communication confidence
They remain theoretical.
Learning is valuable.
But learning must be applied, not just collected.
Practical Guidance from a Mentor
If You Are Planning to Come to the UK
Ask yourself honestly:
- Can I financially survive 6–9 months without a tech role?
- Do I understand sponsorship limitations?
- Am I coming with a career strategy — not just hope?
Preparation is not negativity.
It is responsibility.
If You Are Already in the UK and Struggling
First — you are not alone.
- Survival jobs are not failure
- Volunteering is not weakness
- Contract roles are valid experience
- Networking is essential, not optional
Many successful professionals started with uncomfortable steps.
Progress is rarely linear.
Final Words!
Coming to the UK is not a mistake. But coming unprepared can be costly.
The UK does not reward desperation. It rewards preparation, patience, and perspective.
If this article helped you see things more clearly, then it has done its job.
Struggle does not define you. Awareness empowers you.
Kam's Tech Talk - Learn. Connect. Thrive. 