Networking 101: Job Hunting Basics
While college prepares us all for the real, scary, adult world, there are only so many things students can learn in the classroom. Networking is one concept that is becoming increasingly challenging for universities to teach, but also the most crucial. You’ve heard it once and now you’ve heard it twice – it’s about who you know, not what you know. This cliche really hits the nail on the head, but it is disappointing regardless.
We college students have persevered through countless years of schooling – elementary, middle, and high school as well! – only to learn in a university career fair that all of the knowledge we’ve obtained is useless?! Ridiculous. But connecting and communicating with professionals in your future field—regardless of which field that may be—truly is the backbone of success in the real world. And with that, Golden presents a guide to networking and navigating the demanding job search process.
Do not hesitate to reach out to anyone—alumni, your parents’ friends, mutual friends, or someone totally random that has your dream job. Yes, you can reach out to a stranger! It may seem crazy, but it never hurts to shoot someone a message on LinkedIn expressing your interest in their experiences, company, and/or role. People love to talk about themselves (it is even scientifically proven and explained by Psychology Today), and most companies are perpetually trying to spread awareness about their business and job opportunities anyway. So, by sending a short message to a former co-worker or friend of a friend requesting to have a quick phone conversation, you will create an opportunity for mutual benefit.
Nine times out of ten, especially with recent graduates, you will receive a response within a few days. Sure, sometimes the respondee may ghost you, but that may be the result of an overeager schedule on their part. You can always follow up after two weeks or so to check-in! It will be worth it—learning about potential career paths from those in the industry is a great way to stimulate interest and excitement around finding and applying for a career you are actually passionate about.
Ask questions! You don’t know what you don’t know, so why not take every chance you can to learn and grow? The best—and easiest—way to express interest in a career is by asking thoughtful questions. Before an informational interview, prepare a few questions to ask. A couple of general ones are perfect to kick off with; one of my personal short but sweet questions is “What led you to where you are today?”. Do your research (it doesn’t have to be anything crazy) and form a couple of questions that show you did your research.
Use the Internet! There are SO many unique ways to build your network, discover job openings, and expand your knowledge on your specific desired career. We at Golden are journalism and media fanatics so, naturally, we love Google's Ad E-learning program. But Pinterest recently launched its own academy platform, and there are many more free learning opportunities out there on the wide web. The U offers a great one too, Maroon and Gold Network, that offers students ways to explore career paths, network with alumni, and participate in real-world experiences related to their field of interest.
Ultimately, stay positive! Sadly, job rejections and interview mistakes are part of life. On the plus side, though, even negative experiences are character-building and excellent learning opportunities. Everyone’s job search process looks a little different, so be careful not to compare yourself to your peers. Just remember, you have huge potential and you WILL find a job.
Good luck to all on their job search & networking endeavors!
