From India to Corporate London, How I Found a Sponsored Job and My Freedom
In episode 9 of Landed, I spoke to Darshni Prasad who moved to the UK from a small town in India during the pandemic and found a sponsored job at a leading advertising agency while on a visa despite doubts from others.
But beyond this, she got out of her comfort zone and became an independent, self-assured woman who knows her worth:
Here’s how she did it:
🔍 Mindset Shift: Know your worth & Don’t sell yourself short
💡 Believe that you bring value: Many international students doubt themselves, especially after facing multiple rejections. But Darshni refused to settle. She reminded herself: “The UK needs skilled people like me. I deserve to be here.”
💡 Your first job isn’t your last: She didn’t land her dream job right away. Instead, she took a role at a startup to gain UK experience, knowing it was a stepping stone to bigger opportunities.
💡 Confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build: She wasn’t always assertive. She used to avoid speaking up, afraid of taking up space. But over time, she learned to advocate for herself and take control of her career decisions.
💼 The Job Hunt: Strategy & Persistence
✅ She focused only on companies that could sponsor. Instead of wasting time, she researched businesses with sponsorship licenses and only applied strategically.
✅ She turned rejection into redirection. During an interview at her current company, she applied for an entry-level role. The employer saw her potential and offered her a senior role instead because she showed up with confidence and owned her experience.
✅ She asked the right questions. At the end of every interview, she asked: “Do you have any reservations about my application?” This gave her a chance to address concerns immediately and flip any doubts into strengths.
Owning her life & career in the UK
She redefined independence: Moving abroad meant stepping away from family expectations and cultural norms. It was challenging, but it helped her discover who she truly is.
She built a support system: Surrounding herself with positive, ambitious people kept her motivated. She learned that mindset is everything. If you believe in your worth, others will too.
She didn’t wait for opportunities, she created them. Instead of just hoping for a job, she networked, learned industry trends, and positioned herself as someone who couldn’t be ignored.
Darshni’s biggest lesson? Don’t wait for someone to hand you a seat at the table, pull up a chair and claim your space.
For anyone job-hunting in the UK: Your mindset can change everything. If you stop seeing yourself as just a “visa candidate” and start showing up as a skilled, valuable professional, the right employer will see it too.
