u/Educational-Bus-6259

I started a small IT startup with one of my friends back in 2023 in Sri Lanka. Since then, we have delivered more than 50 client projects across data analytics, AI, and web development.

I have worked on dashboards, reporting systems, AI-related solutions, client communication, project coordination, and web applications. Right now, I am also working with a UK client on an AI-based LMS platform.

I recently graduated in the UK and I am currently applying for data-related roles such as Data Analyst.

The problem is that I am not sure how to present this startup experience properly on my CV. Since it is my own startup and not a large company, I sometimes worry recruiters may not take it seriously, even though the work and clients were real.

Should I present myself as:
• Co-Founder
• Data Analyst & Project Coordinator
• Technical Lead
• Freelance Consultant

Also, how would you structure this experience on a UK-style CV so it sounds professional and credible to recruiters?

Would really appreciate honest advice from recruiters, hiring managers, or anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I started a small IT startup with one of my friends back in 2023 in Sri Lanka. Since then, we have delivered more than 50 client projects across data analytics, AI, and web development.

I have worked on dashboards, reporting systems, AI-related solutions, client communication, project coordination, and web applications. Right now, I am also working with a UK client on an AI-based LMS platform.

I recently graduated in the UK and I am currently applying for data-related roles such as Data Analyst.

The problem is that I am not sure how to present this startup experience properly on my CV. Since it is my own startup and not a large company, I sometimes worry recruiters may not take it seriously, even though the work and clients were real.

Should I present myself as:
• Co-Founder
• Data Analyst & Project Coordinator
• Technical Lead
• Freelance Consultant

Also, how would you structure this experience on a UK-style CV so it sounds professional and credible to recruiters?

Would really appreciate honest advice from recruiters, hiring managers, or anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I started a small IT startup with one of my friends back in 2023 in Sri Lanka. Since then, we have delivered more than 50 client projects across data analytics, AI, and web development.

I have worked on dashboards, reporting systems, AI-related solutions, client communication, project coordination, and web applications. Right now, I am also working with a UK client on an AI-based LMS platform.

I recently graduated in the UK and I am currently applying for data-related roles such as Data Analyst.

The problem is that I am not sure how to present this startup experience properly on my CV. Since it is my own startup and not a large company, I sometimes worry recruiters may not take it seriously, even though the work and clients were real.

Should I present myself as:
• Co-Founder
• Data Analyst & Project Coordinator
• Technical Lead
• Freelance Consultant

Also, how would you structure this experience on a UK-style CV so it sounds professional and credible to recruiters?

Would really appreciate honest advice from recruiters, hiring managers, or anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Hi everyone

I recently graduated from one of UK University with a First-Class degree in Computer Science, and I’ve been trying to break into the UK tech/data field for around 8 months now. So far, I’ve applied to more than 350 roles including Data Analyst, Junior Analyst, IT Support, and Business Analyst positions, but I’ve only managed to get 1 interview, and I was rejected at the final stage

At this point, I’m even applying for entry-level and lower-paying roles just to get my foot in the door and gain UK industry experience, but still getting very few responses.
I do have experience from startup and project-based work, including data analysis projects using SQL, Python, Excel, and Power BI. I also worked as an IT Adviser during university and have been trying hard to improve my CV, LinkedIn, and interview skills.

Honestly, this process is starting to affect me mentally. Seeing rejection after rejection while trying your best is difficult, especially as an international graduate in the UK job market.

I just wanted to ask:

Is the market really this difficult right now?
What helped you finally start getting interviews?
Is there something I should be doing differently?

I’d genuinely appreciate any advice from people who went through something similar.