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  • Thursday, August 29 - "Classmates Are Useless!"

Thursday, August 29 - "Classmates Are Useless!"

Good morning!

Here’s what’s on the job description for today:

  1. Roles at the world’s most innovative company, according to Forbes.

  2. Elijah asks, “I’ve tried networking with my classmates but none of them have jobs or anything to add. How am I supposed to get value if they’re completely useless?”

“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.”

- Colin Powell

IN HIRING

ServiceNow

  • As a software-based firm working with 85% of Fortune 500 companies, they provide a cloud-based offering for digital workflows.

  • Over 750 roles are available with many of the most interesting roles being more senior or sales focused.

  • Here are a few of the most interesting roles available

Click here for the company’s career page

TODAY’S QUESTION

Elijah asks, “I’ve tried networking with my classmates but none of them have jobs or anything to add. How am I supposed to get value if they’re so useless?”

While the wording of the question is pretty brutal, this is a feeling quite common among those who are mid-degree and frustrated.

Recommendation: I’ve worked with a few clients who have said similar things. Here is what worked for them:

  • First, networking with your peers at school is like trying to catch a salmon in your kitchen sink - you’re fishing in the wrong pool of water. The other students are a great community but they’re unlikely to be the resource that leads to a job.

  • Instead, start with alumni. The other students can provide some great anecdotes on what’s working for them but you’ll get better results if you ask them for contacts at their old or current company.

    • Here is a template of how to find contacts of those within your current network (I’ve made it so it reflects my network but you can change the inputs at the top).

  • Lastly, relax. I speak to a lot of students who are graduating in the coming months and I get that there is anxiety which comes along with that but you’ll soon have a job along with your classmates and wish you could trade places with your current self.

Conclusion:

Stop networking with students and aim for people who are one connection away or alumni.

Get your question answered by replying to this email (or just say hi 😊).