The big thing I’ve learned from trying to get a job in today’s world is that it’s all about the connections you make. 

The reason I got a foot in the door at the corporate job I left is because of a customer I knew at my restaurant job. Have I told them I left the job yet…no, honestly terrified to do that, extremely concerned actually…

On the other hand, the reason I was able to get my coaching job is also because of someone I know. And how LUCKY am I? I was just telling the coach yesterday how grateful I am to have had this opportunity and how much I have loved every second of it. 

The world is funny like that. It’s almost, in a strange and abstract way, similar to the NYT Connections Puzzles. Sometimes the connections are straightforward, but then it’s like your aunt’s neighbor, whose nephew owns a dog-walking business, and one of his clients, Ms. Mallberry, just so happens to be in cahoots with the Prime Minister; and the connections category is people you never expected to be helpful in your life! 

Connections are useful, but it can also make the process of earning your degree discouraging. 

Let’s look at the big picture… On average it takes students several years to receive their degree, and in that time these students are dedicated to expanding their education, opening their mind, thinking more critically on topics of their interest. They also end up spending tens of thousands of dollars on their education. 

They throw their caps up in the air and have this big feeling of accomplishment, hope, and excitement… all to end up applying to jobs for hours on end to never hear back from the company. Sound familiar? It’s because we are ALL going through this! 

Never have I said to myself, “oh to live in the time my parents grew up in,” but if I could walk into a building and PHYSICALLY hand the hiring manager my resume I would! It is so challenging for recent college graduates to find employment, and with the amount it costs to attend university it almost feels like a set up. So now we find ourselves asking…

How to Make Connections?

There are multiple ways to find connections in your area, whether it is through your family, schooling, community, or someone on the internet! Connections are everywhere.

I attended a networking event last year and one of the attendees said to myself and a group of recent graduates that, “I know it’s all about the people you know when getting a job in today’s world. So reach out to me after this event and I can try and help you out.”

This person, who was practically a stranger, was offering to help all of the young graduates just get their foot in the door for an interview. Getting a job is so challenging that strangers are willing to help!

So ultimately, as challenging as it seems there are actually so many resources that are willing to help! I’ve even found that just reaching out to strangers on linkedin can be useful! However, now we have to figure out how to sell ourselves when reaching out to strangers. 

Why are you trying to make this connection?

• Maybe they work at a company you want to work at
• Maybe they work in the profession you’re interested in
• Maybe they have had an interesting career that you want to learn more about

Ultimately, you need to find a way to make that initial connection. Whether it’s on a personal note (you and the potential connection have the same alamoder) or something more professional (you’re looking to have a career similar to theirs and admire their work). There needs to be something that brings you and your potential connection together.

What do you want from your connection?

I know, it sounds selfish, but it’s the truth, and the people you’re trying to connect with know it too. This is the next question that needs to be answered.

• Maybe you are curious about their career and past jobs
• Maybe you heard about an open position at the company and want to find an in
• Maybe you just want to put yourself out there

The next step is to determine what you are looking for from the connection. Make this intention clear in your mind and that is your goal.

How do I put together an appropriate message?

So now you know what your motive is and a similarity you and your connection have.  How do we combine all of it and come out successful?

My biggest recommendation is to be more interested and ask for less. Make that initial connection, and then, with the hope they will reply, begin to express yourself more. Reaching out to someone online can sometimes seem ingenuine, this is why it is important to include both the personal touch and your why. 

This is a message I have sent out to someone who I wanted to connect with:

Hi Name!

My name is Amelia Overby and I recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in communications. I have a passion for storytelling and working in media, as well as promoting women’s sports, especially soccer. I currently coach a premiere youth girls soccer team in Stratford CT.

With my media knowledge, and love for the sport I wanted to inquire about any potential opportunities at Attacking Third, and hear about how you got started in your role as a social media manager.

I look forward to hearing from you, have a wonderful week!

Amelia Overby

This person said they would schedule a zoom with me, but always ended up being too busy, and that happens, you can’t expect every person you reach out to to respond and be head over heels about you!  There are several people I’ve reached out to and never heard back from, but you can’t let that stop you from trying to achieve your dreams. 

We all have to start somewhere, and ultimately reaching out to strangers like this is all about

Building Relationships

This is the key takeaway. Reaching out to people, and trying to find an in is all about building relationships, and it’s the same way you would with anyone. 

Think back to when you met your best friend, at one point in time you two were strangers, but over time and genuine interactions you become each other’s closest mates! Now professional relationships are a bit different than friendships, but they’re built on the same principles. 

While there are certain qualifications needed when making connections like making sure your previous experiences align with the company you’re looking at, there are humanistic aspects that cannot be left unaccounted. 

Genuinity, trust, and just being yourself! These are all aspects that factor into making a connection with anyone, even a potential employer. Now to display these traits as well as several others you probably uphold you need to learn how to

Sell Yourself

When forming a connection you need to be able to convince the employer why you are worth-their-while. 

Maybe it’s through anecdotes on how you have persevered through challenges, or how you rebounded from a failure. Maybe it is through your listening skills, being attentive, and showing that by recalling previous conversations. Maybe your transparency and integrity with the way you speak is enough to convince someone you’re a hireable candidate. 

Whatever you’re good at when communicating with people, use it to your advantage! Do not be afraid to be yourself because a lot of companies look for individuality, they look for someone that can help diversify their team with the way they think. 

Don’t believe me? One of the bigger reasons they hired me at my corporate job is because of my creative thinking and execution in projects. 

At the end of the day, not everyone will be convinced that you’re the perfect candidate for the job, but if you’re focused on growing your network, using these different techniques can help you build a positive relationship with individuals at any company, which may lead you to an opportunity you never expected for yourself. 

But There’s so Much More

There are many tips and tricks to help you build impactful relationships and expand your network, but the key takeaways to learn from today are:

• People that are employed WANT to help you succeed 
• Reaching out off a limb never hurts
• Find a personal touch when making a first impression
• Know your WHY
• Sell yourself and your abilities

The website Handshake offers a multitude of resources to help students and graduates find employment. The link I provided is a link that corresponds with their blog page about the job search. Other job sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed offer similar resources, but I find Handshake to be the most straightforward and consistent. 

Until next time,

Meils