10 questions to get a job/summer internship
Find a job, Productivity
You are in college or graduate school and you are thinking about getting a job. You ask a lof questions and you have no answers! Student Help Forum will help you succeed and get a job/summer internship with 10 classic questions on how to get a job after college or grad school
I have talked with a few people and they told me: « you don’t have the right background, you will nevet get a job in XXX or YYY » or « your story is not convincing… »
Think about it as a venture. When you start a venture, some people tell you « you will fail! » but eventually you will succeed! Be persistent and you will prove them they are wrong!
I have no network. Can I get a job with my poor network?
You always have a network! You just need to be creative about it: your classmates, your colleagues from your previous jobs, the person you hooked up with 6 months ago, your former clients or suppliers, your social network (linkedin, facebook), your professors, your TAs, your professors from undergrad, your mentors, your peers at other school, some guy you met three years ago who works in your dream company. All of these people will help you get a job. Just send them an email and some of them will answer and help you. It’s a numbers game. The more people you approach, the more opportunities you get!
I am shy and I don’t want to ask people for help. My ego is too big to do that!
It’s statistical. Probably 15-20% will answer your emails or calls if you have no connection with them. If you have a direct connection, 50-60% will answer your request. At the end of day, there might be one or two person who will think: « OMG, He/She is such a loser! What does he want? » « I feel bad for him/her that he/she asks for my help ». These guys are the losers, not you! If you are polite, there is nothing bad about asking.
I am depressed. I think I don’t have the right skills. There are so many smart students in my industry looking for a job. I feel I will never get a job at Goldman Stanley or Lehman Sisters?
Think positive! You have great skills and there is always something interesting about you: your background, why you like this job, what you would bring to the table. It’s just a matter of connecting the dots. You always have a good story to tell. The way you frame it is what matters. There is always a good job for you! And don’t forget to collaborate with your classmates. It’s a virtuous circle. If you consider them as competitors, you will lose eventually…
I have 22 interviews planned for the next 3 weeks and 14 dinners. Does that make sense?
No! It’s like dating: does that make sense to date 22 girls? You need to make choices. Some of them are tough but life is tough sometimes…
I want to start my own venture this summer but might consider some other job next year. Is it doable?
Absolutely! Some companies love entrepreneurs and hire students who have done entrepreneurship during their curriculum.
If I take an offer at X today, I will never get a job in Y in 3 years. Does that make sense?
Forget about planning your entire career. Just be good at what you do and opportunities will come at some point. It’s just a matter of time.
My classmate who has a 3.1 GPA from University of ChiBerVania and never worked in Investment Banking just got an offer from Goldman Morgan in New York. That’s so unfair!
Well that does not mean that you are won’t get an offer next summer. What matters is that you find the right job for you. Forget about your ego and think about what makes you happy!
I feel career management is useless and I will never get a job because of them.
Again, think positive. There are great resources and they will do their best to satisfy most of your needs but it’s also your job to reach out to the companies you are interested in and expand your network.
It’s end of April and I still don’t have an offer…
Surprisingly, a lot of companies are still hiring later in the year especially small companies. You could even get a very good offer because there is less competition… True story…
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