“It’s not always about what you know but who you know.”
I’m not sure I could recount to you how many times I heard that phrase during my collegiate career.
Teachers, speakers and mentors grind that into the heads of their students throughout their education but often forget an important part of that lesson. How do you make those connections?
This fall, I was able to actually put into practice the “who you know” aspect of job hunting and career building.
After graduating from UF in May, it came down to taking that wonderfully expensive piece of paper I earned and channeling it into a job.
Goal? New York City. I planned my trip and booked my tickets with one important caveat: I was going to use my visit to the Big Apple as a networking trip.
Via: Unsplash
My first step was Linkedin.
If you’re a college student and you don’t have a LinkedIn, open up a new tab now and start building.
For those who are unfamiliar, Linkedin is a social media platform that fosters a professional communication network between millions of people. It’s easy to start with building connections through friends, teachers and coworkers. As your network builds, you can add people in companies or even the positions you aspire to have in the future.
However, you shouldn’t treat Linkedin like Facebook when you first got one in your early high school years. Having an excess of connections isn’t helpful, unless you actually plan on utilizing them. Adrian Hopkins, currently Director of Strategy at Bureau Bank and former Manager of Strategy and Business Development for MTV, wrote a piece for “The Muse” dealing exactly with this topic.
Hopkins reminds users that there is a difference between “contacts” and “connections.” Contacts are people “you reach out to when you need something.” It’s a one-way system. Connections, however, are two-way. You “give them as much as you want to receive, and you stay in touch whether or not either of you needs something.”
Using Hopkins advice, I built a profile of what he calls “connections that matter.” In the search bar, I looked for organizations I was interested in working for or had applied for in the past. I added people as connections, promptly messaging them afterwards with who I was and that I would be visiting New York city in a few weeks. I also asked if they would be willing to meet for coffee and give me some advice for my next move in finding my career start.
Another word of advice, always look for something that you have in common in that person’s profile. If they are from your hometown, went to UF, work at a company you interned for or maybe just admire, add that to your message. Make these connections personal enough that you can maintain a dialogue with them.
Via: Unsplash
Then I reached out to friends.
The wonderful thing about the University scene is that we make friends with people who graduate before we do and go off to do amazing things. In my case, I had a friend I had made through a UF club that was (and is) making huge waves in the NYC world I want to live in.
I sent her a quick Facebook message letting her know I’d be in the city, and asked if she knew of anyone available during my trip that wouldn’t mind meeting with me for an hour or so.
Through this connection, I was able to meet with a former UF journalism grad that is working for Diane Von Furstenberg. We actually did get to meet for coffee, and I had the opportunity to sit in the Meat Packing District and pick her brain about the industry and making the next move.
Don’t forget to send these connections your resume as well! They may have the ability to pass it onto the next person or send a job your way if it fits your level of experience.
Meat Packing District, NYC Via: Kathryn Williams
And don’t forget your family.
Okay, so I met with my mom’s friends, friends, granddaughter who happens to work in New York. Your familial connection doesn’t have to be that complicated, but the idea still stands.
If you have a connection through family or a family friend that is in the place you want to be, don’t hesitate to get their contact information and take the plunge.
When my mother informed me about this girl, I promptly asked for her number and called immediately. I let her know what my goals where, when I’d be in town and asked if we could meet up.
After brunch in the city, she walked me through former and current workplaces and I learned invaluable information about how to boost my career.
This may all seem like common sense, but it also can be nerve wracking to call/email people asking them out of the kindness of their hearts to help you on your way to success. The funny thing is though, it’s not as scary as it seems and it’s totally worth the time.
Give it a try. You may find your big break.
Featured photo courtesy of : Unsplash
