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Nothing but Net(work)
In this section, we provide tips and insights about networking
You’ve heard about it, and you know it’s important. But do you really know how to network?
Networking gets a bad rap. You might think it’s about treating other people in a self-interested or transactional way, only as conduits to your next career milestone.
Here’s the secret: The best way to network is to not do that. Success in networking comes from making genuine connections with people, not from a cold, utilitarian approach. That’s because:
People can tell when you’re using them transactionally, and
They don’t like it.
Here’s a second secret: Successful networking is a long game. If you want to see real results from activating your network, you’ve got to make a habit of it – which is to say connecting with others often and communicating your skills and professional goals.
What to do right now:
Make a list of networking opportunities you have in the next 30 days. These could be school activities, meet-ups, recruiting events, or anything else.
Practice introducing yourself. The first step of saying hello to a stranger is the hardest, but they’ll appreciate you starting the discussion.
Develop two ice-breaker questions that you can ask any person. This can be where they’re from, what their summer plans are – anything that gets them talking.
Starting Points
In this section, we describe entry-level roles in various fields – so you know what’s out there
Are you an extrovert? Are you driven? Do you always make eye contact, listen closely, and make others feel heard?
A career in sales might be the path for you. Entry-level sales jobs at bigger companies are usually called Sales Development Representative (SDR) or Business Development Representative (BDR).
A BDR or SDR’s role is simple; find potential new customers and turn them into actual new customers. This involves a lot of cold outreach, or contacting people you’ve never met via email, phone, or even social media – hence why sales tends to be an extrovert’s game.
Sales roles are typically well-compensated, sometimes including bonuses or commissions, so it’s definitely worth considering if you think you have the people skills to turn a stranger into a customer.
What to do right now:
Go to Indeed or LinkedIn, read a sales job description, and consider if it’s something you want to pursue.
Remember, getting a job in sales or marketing doesn’t mean you need to do it for your full career. It is all about gaining experience, so that you can figure out the best fit for you.
Qs & As
We delve into frequently asked interview questions, and how to answer them
One of the most dreaded interview questions: “Tell us about a time when you made a mistake.”
The key to answering it: It’s not about the mistake. Your interviewer isn’t trying to find out how you’ve messed up in the past, they’re trying to get a sense of how you handle challenging situations. So your answer should focus on how you:
Recognized your mistake
Did whatever you could to rectify it, and
Learned something from the mistake in order to not repeat it.
What to do right now:
Prepare your answer to this question, incorporating the elements above.
Level Up This Weekend
We send you into the weekend with resources on how to tackle an important part of adult life
Believe it or not, you need to start saving for retirement…right now. You want to get started as early as possible because of a near-magical thing called compound interest, which means your money can grow on an exponential curve, rather than a boring old linear slope. Here’s a rundown on your options to get started.
Fair warning: This stuff may seem complicated at first, but don’t give up! A few years down the line, you’ll be very, very glad you did.