How I Landed A Job Before Graduation.

One lecturer made one comment that sent me into a spiral.

University can be daunting, your fresh out of high school, no one to nag you to get ready in the morning and you can decide which classes you want to take. I, like so many other students, was a nerd and loved attending lectures in person. So, on my first lecture in my commerce degree, I was introduced to some startling statistics. The lecturer introduced himself, and he proceeded to ask us some questions. Hundreds of wide-eyed first-year university students looked at him, so naïve.

He asked, “How many students here are deciding to major in economics”?

A few students raised their hands.

“How many students here are deciding to major in finance”?

A few more students raised their hands.

“How many students are planning to become accountants here”?

Most of us raised our hands.

“Hah, did you know that for every one accounting job, there are 50 applicants”, good luck? These derogatory words pierced into my mind.

This is the point I realized that I need to start hustling to land a job. It was not going to be an easy journey but I was adamant to succeed.

I did several things to land my first full-time job.

1. Join a Student Club

I worked my way up to become the president of a student club. It took a couple of years but it was a rewarding experience. During my time in this club, I met a lot of like-minded students who were equally ambitious to land a job. Though running several student events on campus and off-campus, I had the opportunity to meet several recruiters who were looking for interns and future graduates. It was an eye-opening experience. I learned that any part-time job can be used to sell yourself in an interview and it is all about your confidence.

I remember someone once said, “We hire people who worked in fast food chains and retail because it shows us they can do a boring job for a long time.” Not every job is glamourous and exciting. Most of us will land in 9–5 desk jobs so this statement really rang true.

2. Network

Not only did I go to several networking events on campus, but I also attended events run by companies. These events were long but rewarding. I learned a lot more about various companies and what they expect in future employees. It also allowed me to assess my abilities and whether I would be the right fit for different companies.

3. Talk to a course adviser.

Chances are, your campus has a career office full of free resources. Find open internships or jobs posted by alumni, get tips on how to create a LinkedIn account, participate in a mock job interview, and learn about upcoming networking events. Even if you aren’t actively looking for a job right now, it can’t hurt to stop by these events. Meet with company representatives, have conversations, learn what’s going on in your industry, and see where opportunities open up.

4. LinkedIn

With this platform being the world’s largest professional network, it is common sense to have a presence on this platform. You do not need to be a business student to be on this platform. I have seen engineers, doctors, and even content creators on this platform. This is the best platform to be seen and connect with recruiters. People often post job openings here and if you believe you would be a good fit, you can contact the person and learn more about the job. Be sure to ask thoughtful questions about the company.

5. Don’t be afraid to make the first move.

Ok, this may sound like a dating guide but hear me out.

Meeting new people can be intimidating. However, having the right level of confidence can go a long way. Be genuine in these interactions. Recruiters and hiring managers can see a fake candidate a mile away.

If you’re having trouble keeping a conversation flowing, start asking some thoughtful questions: “How did you become the [position title]of this company?” “What does your day-to-day look like?” “Any advice for a young person who’s looking to get into your industry?”

My first networking experience was embarrassing, to say the least. I was so shy to talk to people I would walk around and around in circles, pacing anxiously until my mind was prepared with a smart question. I would google those “smart questions” days before the networking event and have them memorized. I walked up to the first recruiter, asked my questions, and then proceeded to stand there in silence as I couldn’t for the life of me make small talk. I abruptly said “thanks for your time” and walked off into a crowd of people.

Was that embarrassing? Yes. Was this going to deter me from networking in the future? No. Did I have a lot to learn? Yes, I did.

The next few years I went to a lot of networking events and improve my confidence and public speaking skills. I can now talk to anyone in a room without any hesitation. I have come a long way since my first year at university and couldn’t be prouder. If I can improve from being a shy, awkward student to a confident professional, you can too! All it takes is time and making the first move.

6. Get to know your professors

Get to know your professors after lectures and make sure they get to know you. They can provide insight, advice, and professional references. They know more than us!

7. Make long life friends

In University, you have the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds. Don’t just stick with your friends in your class or clubs. Make the effort to meet people who are out of state, in different countries, and who have very different life experiences. You will learn a lot about other people and the world. One day these people will be your future colleagues or professionals in different industries. Having friends in different industries is very useful as you can help each other and learn more about the different sectors. You’ll find you have much more in common with them than you realized.

8. Start preparing your professional online presence

Not just LinkedIn, but other social media platforms. Start cleaning up your social media presence by removing anything you wouldn’t want a recruiter to see. Remember, it’s all fun and games on social media until you lose a job opportunity because a recruiter sees something they don’t want. Post on different topics that interest you and join in the conversation. Comment on posts that you like and make an impact.

9. Internships

You can get ahead of all of the others graduates who are vying for the same position as you, by applying for summer internships. Summer internships are a great way to showcase your skills to a potential employer and for the employer to decide if you fit in the company. If you start the process well before graduating, then you’re further increasing your chances of graduating with a job in hand.

Final Thoughts

This process took me 4 years to achieve. It was a long and tiring journey, but in the end, it was all worth it. I did not have to stress out after college like many others, scrambling to find a job. Now that you understand the benefits of networking in university, go ahead and get out there! If you’re shy, know it’ll get better with lots of practice. Plus, the sooner you start networking, the better your chances are of connecting with someone who’ll help you land a job.