Tips for Securing Graduate Trainee Positions

As I am heading towards the end of my Masters here at UC San Diego, all that I hear from my peers is that they need to work on creating state of the art technical projects, get a Tableau certification to ‘showcase visualization skills’ or perhaps solve a 100 SQL questions yet the topic of securing interviews often goes overlooked. Here’s a summary of what might really help from my recent experience: 1. Do not just scroll on LinkedIn optimize it: Ensure your profile has a professional photo, incorporate relevant keywords in the About and Skills sections, and highlight your top achievements. Keep your profile current and actively engage by sending direct messages and posting updates about your projects or experiences. 2. Effective Cold Emailing: To begin with, that’s how I got a lot of my interviews in today’s market. Directly reaching out to a Hiring Manager / Startup Founder, etc. helps in bypassing the usual pool you enter in via direct applications. 3. Perseverance, Lowering Inhibitions, Ego Dump and Consistency: Job hunting can be discouraging, especially when responses are few and far between. It's a numbers game where persistence pays off. Remember, you only need one successful offer. Continuously apply for positions, engage with recruiters, and refine your skills. 4. Additional LinkedIn Tip from my Journey: A savvy approach on LinkedIn is to reach out to users who frequently interact with content but aren't overwhelmed by a deluge of messages i.e. Recruiters, Content Creators with numerous followers, they have way too many messages to address and your efforts to hear back will be futile. Secondly, shy away from posts that asks or has a lot of "I am interested" comments, they don’t work. Anything that seems too easy i.e. ‘Easy Apply’ on LinkedIn or commenting ‘I am interested’ is probably a waste of time. These are my two cents to improve your job search. :) #interviews #jobs #jobhelp #jobsearch #linkedin #networking #cs #university #datascience

Here is a #cheatsheet for students who want to be prepared for those first interviews post-graduation.   #Interviewing is like what you’ve been doing for the last 4 years - #Learning. Learn as much as you can about your future employer as possible. How else will you know if you’re fit for the role & company?   1.     Do your homework. Study your prospective employer like you would study for your final exam. Understand how their business works. Go beyond a 101-level understanding of the company. If you’re going to commit to a company, be intimate with how their business works & what makes them successful. That means a deep understanding of their products, services, competitors, and customers.   2.    Understand the role. Like reading a syllabus before taking a class, match your skills to the position. This means having the #passion & #skills needed to succeed. Being fit for the role is a key to enjoying the job. Long-term misalignment creates stress & anxiety for the candidate.   3.    Be prepared. Have a pencil & notebook ready to take notes. Anticipate questions & have answers prepared. Jot down important pieces of information. Even though we’re in a technical age, note-taking is still an essential skill. Don’t be afraid to reference your notes.   4.    Ask questions. Lots & lots of questions. Ask 200 to 300-level questions. Go deeper to understand the specifics of the position. Ask meaningful follow-up questions. Follow-up questions show that you’re engaged & invested in the company. Curiosity is a skill employers desire.   5.    Study the market. If you’re interviewing with a tech company, be versed in technology & innovation. If you’re interviewing with a financial services company, be aware of what is trending in banking and investments. In our case, understand Drug Development and Clinical Trials. The deeper your understanding, the more appealing you are to your future employer. Have at least a 300-level understanding of the market.   6.    Know the business goals. Dig deep to understand what is required of you and make the connection with how the business operates. Have a 400-level understanding of what you will do for the company and how your role contributes to the company’s #goals. This will help the employer visualize you in the role.   7.    Practice communication skills. Work on the soft skills of interviewing. Work on body language, enthusiasm, & appropriate eye contact. Remove certain words or phrases from your vocabulary, such as “Like”, “Um”, and “You know.” Answer questions as clearly & succinctly as possible. Communication skills are increasingly more important. Even more so if you’re in a customer-facing role.   Bonus Tip: Update your LinkedIn Profile. Corporate recruiters and hiring managers will refer to your LinkedIn profile to review your experience, how connected you are, and the content you share. Be sure to make connections within the company and the industry you’re looking for.  

Its Graduation Season and navigating the job market as a recent grad can be tough, especially with increased competition from both peers and experienced professionals. Here are some strategies to help you stand out: 1. Leverage internships, co-ops, volunteer opportunities, and part-time jobs to gain practical experience and expand your network both during your time in school and after graduation. Employers highly value real-world exposure, even if it's not directly aligned with your desired career path. Taking any job, regardless of its relevance to your degree, demonstrates your initiative to navigate the professional world, making you more appealing to hiring managers. Additionally, volunteering with non-profits in your field of interest, whether in #finance, #accounting, #HR, #marketing, or other areas, offers invaluable hands-on experience. Non-profits consistently welcome assistance, providing ample opportunities for skill development and networking. 2. Network strategically: Attend career fairs, industry events, and networking mixers to meet professionals in your field. Utilize LinkedIn to connect with alumni and professionals who can provide insights and potentially refer you for job opportunities. 3. Develop your personal brand: In a competitive job market, distinguishing yourself from other candidates is more crucial than ever. This is where personal branding comes into play, acting as a game-changer in your job search. Personal branding isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a strategic approach to presenting yourself as the ideal candidate. For more tips/tricks on personal branding be sure to check out our blog linked below. 4. Showcase your soft skills: Highlight your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability skills on your social profiles, resume and during interviews. Employers are increasingly valuing these qualities in candidates. 5. Be proactive: Don't wait for job postings to appear. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for, even if they're not actively hiring. Find an executive recruiter within your desired field and make that connection. Express your enthusiasm for their work, the industry and inquire about potential opportunities. 6. Stay resilient: Rejection is part of the job search process, but don't let it discourage you. With each rejection, use it as an opportunity to grow, learn, develop and network. Keep refining your approach, seeking feedback, and staying persistent. The right opportunity will come along with perseverance and determination. #GetStarted https://lnkd.in/gGdPfWWq