How to Network and Prepare for a Job Search as a Student

I recently go asked "what is one thing that no one tells you about networking when you're an international student?" When I came to the U.S. 6 years ago to study Data Science, I had no idea how important networking would be for my career. Coming from Spain, I thought hard work and a good resume would be enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t. As an international student, job hunting comes with extra challenges: visas, sponsorships, and navigating a system that sometimes feels overwhelming. But here’s the truth: networking changed everything for me. Here’s what worked: 1️⃣ Reaching out to alumni: - I was at Suffolk University in Boston, and I used LinkedIn to connect with alumni in Data Science. At first, it felt awkward—what could I possibly say? But I learned this: people love sharing advice when you ask the right questions. Instead of asking for jobs, I asked about their journeys, challenges, and advice. Those conversations didn’t just lead to referrals; they gave me confidence and clarity. 2️⃣ Leveraging LinkedIn: - LinkedIn became more than just a job board. I posted about projects I was working on, shared my thoughts on the industry, and commented on others’ posts. Over time, recruiters and professionals in my field started noticing me. 3️⃣ Attending industry events: - From local meetups to webinars, I treated every event as a learning opportunity. The key wasn’t handing out resumes—it was making meaningful connections. One conversation at a career fair even led to an internship that shaped my path. Looking back, I realized networking isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about building relationships. As an international student, those connections helped me navigate a career system I didn’t grow up in, and they became my biggest advantage. What’s your go-to strategy for networking? Let’s share tips below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

I went through 150 applications and 19 interviews to land my first three paid internship offers and, ultimately, my first internship. Here's my exact roadmap for searching, applying, and interviewing for your 1st internship: I literally spent 30+ hours per week figuring out the internship search, while balancing it with 17 credits worth of engineering coursework. They say job searching is a full-time job, but how does that work when you're a full-time (40-50+ hours per week) student? It doesn't unless you don't sleep & sacrifice your social life, which I don't think is right 😂. So here's everything I did, in detail, to land three paid internship offers as a freshman ~ 1️⃣ Beef up your LinkedIn presence. 🥩 You don't have to become a Linked[in]fluencer to leverage LinkedIn for your internship search. Optimize your LinkedIn profile for visibility (fill out every section of your profile, use keywords, keep it clean & organized) and send out as many LinkedIn connection requests as possible (connect with people in orgs you're already in, people you admire, peers/colleagues/classmates, etc). 2️⃣ Spend a lot of time perfecting your resume. ✍️ When you're starting out your career, you likely don't have a huge network or experience. Hence, the key to your first role will be your resume. Try to get third-party opinions on your resumes; I went through 10 versions of my resume before I wrote the winning one. 3️⃣ Dedicate time to building your resume. 🛠️ Writing your resume is different than *building* your resume. You can't apply to a job with an empty resume so you have to get some experience (even if it's not "Work" experience). Build up your project portfolio and do competitions to create showcaseable projects and potentially, awards. 4️⃣ Lock in with applications; it's a bit of a numbers game. 🔢 When you're early in your career, the job search is basically a game of getting your resume in front of as many people as possible until you find the one (or few) hiring managers willing to take a chance on you. 5️⃣ Get good at conversations & being likable. Once you get past the resume screen/first round, you can safely assume everyone in the process is equally (roughly) qualified. At that point, it's about getting the hiring team to like you. Hiring managers are human, humans are subjective, and humans will hire people that they like and *want* to work with. I executed my roadmap a tad late (mostly Jan-May), but it worked regardless! For those of you looking into the upcoming recruitment cycle, please start earlier than I did; the roadmap/execution still works on an earlier timeline. 😂 This is just my experience, though! For those of you who landed your first internship as a freshman ~ what was your key to success? Comment it below & let's help each other out! ⬇️ #earlycareers #internships #summerinternship #earlycareer

I tested 𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 (During my last job search and as a career coach). These 𝟱 get the highest response rates, especially from hiring managers👇 1. The Profile Viewer Message Check who viewed your LinkedIn profile. They’re already aware of you, don’t let that warm lead go cold. Try this: "Hey [Name], I noticed you stopped by my profile, appreciate you taking a look! Curious, was there something specific that caught your eye, or are you open to conversations around [industry/topic you're exploring]?" 👉 Tip: Warm > Cold. Always start with people who’ve already shown interest. 2. Acknowledge + Ask Find something unique about their background or a recent post, and ask a question. "Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic], your insight on [specific point] stuck with me. How did you land your current role at [Company]?" People love talking about themselves, especially when you show genuine interest. 3. Value First Offer a useful insight, article, or trend that aligns with their work. No ask, just value. "Hey [Name], I saw your post about [topic]. Just came across this article, it touches on a similar trend. Thought you might find it interesting." Position yourself as thoughtful, not transactional. 4. Mutual Connection Approach Bridge a real mutual connection or shared experience. "Hi [Name], I noticed we both worked with [Person] / went to [School] / worked in [Company or Industry]. I'd love to learn more about your path, especially how you made the transition to [Role/Company]." Relatability opens doors faster than credentials. 5. Compliment + Curiosity Start with a specific compliment, then open the door. "Hi [Name], really enjoyed your article on [topic], especially your point about [detail]. Are you open to connecting with people exploring similar roles in [industry]?" It’s respectful, direct, and makes it easy for them to respond. Reminder: You don’t need to spam 100 strangers. Start with 10 meaningful messages a week. Track responses. Iterate on what works. Focus on warm leads, shared interests, and genuine curiosity. What template would you like to see next? If you're ready to level up, let’s position you for the roles you actually want. ➕Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips.

One of the most common questions I hear from job seekers is, "How do I stand out in the application process?" 🤔 And, I get it. In a world where 'Easy Apply' is used by everybody and their brother, resumes and cover letters are looking one and the same, and positions are highly competitive, it's important to set yourself apart from other applicants. Most of the time, I see job seekers wanting to set themselves apart in their application materials. But, truthfully, I don't think this is the way to go (at least, not fully) 😶 Especially not when... ➡ Employee referrals are 4x more likely to be hired ➡ Roughly 80% of job openings are NEVER advertised ➡ Nearly 80% of jobs are filled through networking efforts Yes, your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are important. These materials need to highlight your skills, achievements, personal brand, and character. But, people = jobs 💼 If you want to approach your job search proactively and with the right mindset, you might want to... ✅ Identify alumni, current employees, and hiring managers to network with. Get industry advice on your career materials, information about application processes, and referrals if the opportunity is a good fit. ✅ Spend less time on volume of applications and more time on quality of applications. Every application you submit should have a person 'attached' to it in some way (you know someone on the hiring team, you met a future colleague at a networking event, etc.). ✅ Prepare samples of your work to share. Showing an example of your work and skillset in an interview, networking call, or cold outreach message goes a long way. Whether that means pulling up your LinkedIn profile to show some of your Featured items or toggling over to your GitHub, examples demonstrate more than words! I share more insights on the hashtag #JobSearch in my recent TikTok 💼 Check it out below! https://lnkd.in/ggfQytUV

Hey everyone! I'm excited to share some networking tips that were incredibly helpful during my job search. These strategies helped me navigate the interview process and land a role as a Program Manager at Google. Whether you're breaking into tech, switching careers, or just want to build your network, I hope these tips help you too! Tip 1: Targeted LinkedIn Research Before my interviews at Meta, Uber, and Google, I used LinkedIn to find people who were already in the roles I was targeting. I looked for Program Managers with similar years of experience, as their interview process was likely to be similar to mine. I also searched for alumni from my university (University of Houston - Go Coogs!), as this provided an easier "in" for starting a conversation. Tip 2: Clear and Concise Outreach When reaching out, I always stated that I was interested in [insert job title] roles at their company and requested a 20-minute coffee chat to discuss: - The interview process - Primary skills needed for the role - What success looks like in that position Including specific questions in my initial message dramatically increased my response rate. This approach made it clear to both parties what we would discuss, making efficient use of everyone's time. Tip 3: Focus on Building Relationships While referrals can be helpful, I recommend not asking for them from people you haven't worked with or who haven't seen your work firsthand. I found more long-term value in building genuine relationships through conversations and learning from their experiences. Tip 4: Leverage Diverse Perspectives Meeting with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, provided invaluable insights that helped me shape my resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview responses. For example, during one conversation, I learned that one of the companies valued a "scrappy" approach. I highlighted relevant project examples in my interview and received great feedback. I hope these tips help you in your own networking journey. Remember, building genuine connections and seeking diverse perspectives can make all the difference in your job search. Good luck! #networking #techcareers #jobsearch #interviewtips #careeradvice

"I'm a student/recent graduate looking for an early career opportunity. Do you have any advice for me?" One of the most FAQs I get while running my early career resources blog, The Ninth Semester, was the topic of a workshop I hosted this past weekend at Hampton University. While the presentation covered important topics such as: → how to create a standout resume that leads to interviews → the importance of getting super specific in your job search to find roles you really want to do → where to find #earlycareer opportunities → how to improve your interview prep 🧠 Here are some more tips that have helped me thrive in my early career, especially while I'm actively creating my dream career: ⭐ Know when to walk away Whether it's a shady interview process, a job that's no longer fulfilling, or anything in between, I've learned to walk away from people or places that aren't welcoming anymore. It's not always an easy task (!!!) but I know that by prioritizing my peace, I will get closer to the rooms I belong in. When one door closes, another always opens - even if it takes a while. ⭐ Invest in your personal brand Since college, I've always been the go-to person for something. Back then, it included my advice on content creation or influencing; now it's that + my insights on Gen Z in the workplace, early career recruiting/employer branding, and entrepreneurship. Sharing my story and the lessons I've learned along the way through my content + networking IRL digitally are ways I've invested in my brand. You don't have to be a "content creator" to have a personal brand, but it does help tremendously with getting your name out there and in front of the people you want to connect with. It can be as simple as introducing yourself and sharing your perspectives on topics you're passionate about. ⭐ Take ownership of your career and design your own career path Stop waiting for someone to give you a chance when you can create your own. I wanted to work in marketing, so I started offering freelance mktg services to grow my portfolio. This helped me land my first mktg internship in college. I wanted to work in early career recruiting, so I started The Ninth Semester. This helped me eventually land a full-time role at WayUp, work with companies/organizations that are equally passionate about helping Gen Z get hired, and now it's supporting me full-time as I create content and host workshops like this to help students and grads thrive in their early career journeys. You are the lead designer of your career. Make it whatever you want it to be and follow a path that feels true to you. That's where the real growth is. #internships #jobhunting #entryleveljobs #professionaldevelopment #careergrowth #personalbranding #linkedincreators

Conference FLOPS are real 😬 Here’s how to actually walk away with offers & referrals I never got the chance to attend a career conference early in college because of my undocumented status. I didn’t even know they existed—so I found job opportunities on my own, without access to those rooms. It wasn’t until recently that I attended my first conference, and let me tell you… I saw so many students unprepared. If I could go back, here’s exactly how I’d prep to turn conversations into interviews (and offers): 1️⃣ Research the companies you’re interested in — understand their mission, culture, and current work 2️⃣ Create a base resume you can tweak for each company 3️⃣ Build authentic relationships with 2–3 companies. Focus on quality, not quantity 4️⃣ Practice your elevator pitch “Hi, my name is Luis. I’m majoring in X at X University. I have X years of experience in X. I’m interested in your company because of XYZ. Outside of work, I love doing X.” 5️⃣ Find common ground with recruiters or employees — shared interests go a long way 6️⃣ Update your LinkedIn — yes, they’ll check 7️⃣ Figure out your fits — dress clean, sharp, and confident 8️⃣ Be strategic — prioritize top companies and manage your time wisely 9️⃣ Network with other students — they’re one of your best resources 🔟 Have fun — go to events that excite you, not just what others expect Jocelyn V. shoutout to my students who I helped rebrand her resume and find their story! She’s now interning at Fidelity as an engineer 😇 Unlock the First-Gen Power 🌟 — ♻️ Hola — I’m Luis. I help first-gen & Gen Z professionals level up in their careers and education. Repost to help someone in your network & Follow me for more real talk on navigating career, college life, and beyond 💼📚 #TunSynergy

When I was job searching, I used LinkedIn…but not in the way you might expect. Instead of waiting for the right job to appear, I used LinkedIn to create my own opportunities.  Here’s how you can do the same: 🎯 Build a Target List of Companies Choose companies that align with your interests and your must-haves. One of the biggest challenges is finding companies that aren’t on your radar. This is where LinkedIn comes in.  👉🏽 On a company’s LinkedIn page, check out the “Pages People Also Viewed” section on the right-hand side. It’s a valuable way to discover similar companies that could be a fit.  👋🏽 Connect with Multiple People at These Companies Most people will connect with one or two people at a target company.  I recommend connecting with as many people as possible.  The more people you know, the more advocates you have.  Also, multiple perspectives help you understand the culture, and a wider network increases your chances of being noticed by hiring managers. 👉🏽 To find employees at your target companies, use the “People” tab on the company’s LinkedIn page.  👉🏽 You can also use the column called “More Profiles to Browse” in the right-hand column of an individual’s profile page to discover more connections. Proactive and persistent job seekers stand out. And they find job opportunities that others don’t.  ❗Now is the time to act. Fall hiring is right around the corner. ❗ If you’re ready to focus on your career transition this fall, let’s chat now. Shoot me a DM and we’ll find a time to connect. 

Can I be vulnerable for a minute? There's a genuine part of me that wants to assist every person I come in contact with or reaches out to me. At times, this responsibility weighs on me, oftentimes keeping me awake at night. The sheer compassion I feel and my desire to make a positive impact drives me...however, I also recognize the reality that I can't fulfill every dream job aspiration. Which sincerely kills me. While I dedicate myself to this endeavor with strategic effort, I believe it's essential for job seekers to consider the following steps: ✅ Define Your Goals: Before reaching out to your network, be clear about what you're looking for in your career. Whether it's a specific role, industry, or company culture, having a well-defined goal will guide your networking efforts. Don't settle. Trust me, you'll be happier in the long run. ✅ Craft Your Elevator Pitch: Prepare a concise and compelling introduction that highlights your skills, experience, and what you're seeking. Make sure it's adaptable to different situations and captures your unique value. ✅ Leverage LinkedIn: Utilize your professional network on LinkedIn. Connect with colleagues, friends, and acquaintances, and yes- other recruiters! Engage with relevant content and share your insights to showcase your expertise. ✅ Attend Industry Events: Participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars related to your field. These events provide excellent opportunities to meet like-minded professionals and expand your network. ✅ Reach Out with a Purpose: When connecting with someone, be genuine in your approach. Clearly express your intentions, whether it's seeking advice, information about a company, or discussing potential opportunities. ✅ Offer Value: Networking isn't just about taking; it's also about giving. Share your expertise, offer assistance, or provide insights that could be beneficial to your connections. This reciprocity strengthens relationships. ✅ Follow Up: After making initial connections, don't forget to follow up. Express gratitude for their time and insights, and keep the conversation alive by providing updates on your progress. ✅ Be Patient and Persistent: Building a strong network takes time. Not every connection will lead to immediate results, but persistence pays off. Keep nurturing your relationships and staying active in your efforts. ✅ Continuously Learn: Stay updated on industry trends, developments, and best practices. This knowledge will not only enhance your conversations but also showcase your commitment to growth. Remember, networking is a two-way street. Just as I strive to help candidates find their dream jobs, your efforts and engagement in the networking process are crucial for achieving your career goals. 💪🏻 Stay persistent, authentic, and open to the possibilities that networking can bring. Your proactive approach can make a significant difference in your journey. As always, I'll do whatever I can to help! Wishing you success.