It’s been two and a half years since I graduated college. In that time, I’ve gotten the chance to work in recruitment and see the talent acquisition process from the inside. I have learned a few things that I wish I had known when I was a fresh graduate and job seeker, so I thought I would pass them on to you:
1. It’s not always personal.
Every time I’ve been turned down for a job or didn’t receive a call back on an application, my instant thought was, “What did I do wrong?” I took it to heart, and it would injure my confidence for my next application. After too many rejections in a row, I’d be nearly convinced that I had nothing to offer.
As a recruiter, there were many times when I spoke to fantastic candidates who for one reason or another weren’t the best match for the job. Maybe it was a mismatch of locations or salary expectations. Maybe the job title shifted and the experience the department needed jumped from two years to five. Maybe budget cuts meant we stopped hiring for the position altogether, or we interviewed another candidate who had a specific skillset we needed. Whatever the reason, there were many times when a “no” had nothing to do with any mistakes or shortcomings on the candidate’s part.
It’s good to develop your skills and experiences as much as you can, but when you hear “no,” remember that the closed door does not necessarily reflect at all on your resume or your interview skills or your personality. And it never reflects on your value as a person. Learn from the experience where you can, and keep trying!
2. You are a business of one.
A good employer will invest in you and help you grow as a professional. Companies are increasingly realizing that if they want to thrive, they need to prioritize their employees. All the same, even in a good job, you and you alone carry the responsibility for your professional development. Do you want to develop IT skills? Sign up for a course online or ask to shadow an IT Specialist. Do you feel like you have hit the ceiling in your job and have no more room for growth? Don’t wait for your supervisor to notice – speak with him or her about ways you can grow with the company, or begin to search for better opportunities. Keep your network and your resume fresh so you never find yourself upended by a layoff or relocation. Your business is you – develop your brand, grow your skills, do things that bring you joy.
A company’s priority is its bottom line. It will focus on that need, and it will keep you on board as long as you contribute to that bottom line. Again, it’s not personal, but it’s wise to recognize that your personal brand and your personal story belong to you. Keep growing!
3. Networking really does work.
Last week, I received a Facebook message from a woman I had met once when I was living in DC two years ago. She knew someone who was about to go to the Philippines as an intern, and she remembered that I had completed the same internship program. I was happy to speak with the new intern about the organization and life in the Philippines. Many people supported me as I prepared for my internship, so I was grateful that a connection from two years ago took the step of reaching out to me and giving me an opportunity to pay it forward.
When I arrived in Denver, I received two job opportunities. One I found through a Google search, and the other I found through my uncle in Oklahoma, who knew the CEO of a company in Denver, who connected me to a Marketing Director in his company, who forwarded me the name of a recruiter who had reached out to her.
The point is this: networking works. If you’re like me, this is a challenging truth to swallow. But it’s true. Build relationships and pay attention to the people around you. This does not need to be an artificial process at all, but it’s good to cultivate the courage to ask questions and seek connections into companies you find interesting.
