College Students Fail When They Ask For Jobs Instead Of Relationships
April 23, 2008 at 1:13 pm | In Career Development, Networking, Personal Branding, Recruitment, Success Strategies |Tags: alumni, college students
Within 24 hours, I’ve been given the impression that college students ask for jobs from alumni,
without trying to start a relationship or at least network. I just got through speaking with one of my friends who is a freshman in college and we have a networking event today for our fraternity and he goes “its not gonna matter for me cuz no 1 looks for a frosh for a job or internship.”
First off, I had an internship when I was a freshman in college and even a senior in high school. There are simply no excuses and you must start early, at least by networking. Aside from this, I went to another college networking event earlier this week and I was one of the only alumni there because, let’s face it, alumni just don’t come back. They don’t come back for a simple reason and that is because they know they are going to be harassed for jobs from people who don’t care enough to learn about them. There is a perception among alumni (I conducted a survey with my network) that college students only set up these events to beg us for jobs. What’s even more frustrating is that when I go back for a social event, people are asking me for jobs!!! I’m obviously not there trying to hire students if I’m going to a social event.
Another item that turns alumni off is colleges that send numerous letters asking for donations. I believe they would never have to perform that task if they built stronger relationships with alumni when they were students. How are recent graduates going to donate money back when they are trying to get a job, and have expenses such as rent, gas, car insurance, etc. Entry-level jobs typically don’t extend more than salaries of $60,000. The average starting salary is about $35,000, which is hard to even live off of. If you’re looking for donations, then think five years from now and start building rapport with alumni when they first enter as a freshman.
Here are some tips for college students:
- Be sincere when dealing with alumni.
- Quit being so selfish and obvious when you confront us.
- Demonstrate your “soft skills.”
- Get out of your comfort zone. If you already know one of us, meet someone else.
- Have a business card on hand. There are no excuses anymore.
- If it’s a casual environment, be casual.
- Always follow-up with us afterward.
- Don’t waste our time.
- Resumes should be delivered after the event not during it. We are there to meet and communicate, not review resumes.
- We recommend friends over acquaintances.
- “What’s in it for us.”
Here are some tips for alumni
- Give college students a chance.
- You’re probably more successful than them, so give advice.
- Move around and meet as many people as you can.
- Don’t just speak with college students, go after other alumni. Alumni from your alma mater are more likely to help you succeed than from other colleges. Remember to network more outside of your company than within.
- Be comfortable telling students that your company isn’t hiring or that you aren’t the point person and they should send their resume through HR (dead-end).
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I think being selfish and trying to get ahead is a little bit of a grey area. I go networking to meet new people that can expand my life as well as the lives of others around me. That’s why they call it a networking event, otherwise it would be beers with the old frat guys.
So yes, when I go visit younger college students at a networking event, I expect to chat with them about my company, what I’m up to and how I can help them. But I am also digging deeper into how they can help me and my company. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it does for me.
Giving college students internships and hourly positions at your job is a step towards showing your boss you can be a trusted leader for your company, but be sure you 100% trust this freshman that you are bringing into your firm, your name is on the line.
Your last sentence does wrap it up good though; be honest. If you are not looking for anyone, be upfront and save everyone some uncomfortable networking.
Comment by Greg Rollett — April 23, 2008 #
@Greg - good points but please consider your reputation on the line if you recommend anyone.
Comment by Dan Schawbel — April 23, 2008 #
@Dan - it sure is, so you better build a relationship with that person before he no-shows on day-1.
Comment by Greg Rollett — April 23, 2008 #
Brilliant post. It’s more of a case of just being a ‘real’ person. If you begin building relationships up early, and focus on adding value to that relationship at every opportunity, the jobs will follow.
Comment by Richard Millington — April 23, 2008 #
Amen, brother. I’m a GenXer who enjoys mentoring and learning from Millenials. I recently invited a guy fresh out of college to chat over coffee. This was networking 101 and the purpose of the meeting was to explore collaboration opportunities and see how we could help each other. A week before the meeting he sends me an e-mail that reads something like, “I need to understand what position you might have for me and what the benefit is before coming to this meeting.” (Yeah.) When we finally met, he had no questions for me and I really struggled to fill in the silence. Yikes. Nice kid, but he’ll get no referrals from me.
Comment by Andrea Emerson — April 23, 2008 #
Dan - Great post. I hope college students are listening! Too often, networkers go in for the “kill” way before they establish a relationship.
A big fan of networking (or “netWEAVING”), I recently reached out to someone online with what I thought would be a helpful resource and was a little shocked by his aggressive “Thanks, but THIS (other thing) is what I need - can you get me that?”
Needless to say, I knew that would not be a relationship I’d want to pursue. Shame, because we could have helped each other.
Those who focus too much on themselves and not enough on the other person won’t succeed very well at networking.
A “what’s in it for me” attitude also may prevent networkers from engaging with people who surprise them by having a lot to offer. I recently suggested on my blog that job seekers make a point to connect with someone who “can’t help them.”
http://keppiecareers.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/.
You never know the depth of a person’s ideas, connections and willingness to partner until you speak with them.
Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers
Comment by keppie — April 23, 2008 #
Give to get is the key. Too bad most people don’t understand the power of investing time to know other people and learn how they can help instead of just trying to get something off the bat. This is a great post that really drives home the point.
Comment by Mario Sanchez — April 24, 2008 #
[...] should be brief, but memorable.If you want some more networking tips, here are a few recent posts:College Students Fail When They Ask For Jobs Instead of RelationshipsHow to Work an EventA New Approach I’ll have a follow up post about how I applied these concepts to [...]
Pingback by Kottu » Blog Archive » 10 Tips for Networking / Recruiting Events — April 24, 2008 #
Dan,
Very glad to hear you emphasize building the relationship - versus begging for a job.
Networking DOES work - if it is done right. Time and again, my clients land positions using their network. BUT, as others have said, it must be done right. “Hey, know anyone who’s hiring?” is NOT networking done right. And this happens to be the way many people start their search - no matter their age.
One of my clients, a senior programmer, was unemployed 18 months before meeting with me. She said, “Do NOT tell me to network. It does not work.” Really? Hmmm. How are you going about it?
Why she asked people, “Hey, know anyone who’s hiring?” Yep, began emails this way, sending out a poorly done resume with each one. And when meeting with friends, her opening line was the “know anyone” line.
So, for 18 months, her network did not work.
What we did: First revamped all communication pieces - resume, cover letter, email format, etc. Next, identified all of her contacts. (Think BIG people.) Then, we created a sound bite that could be quickly revamped for emails, in-person meetings, and even her bowling league. (For more tips on how to structure yours: http://www.knocks.com/Personal_Branding_Sound_Bite.html.)
My client took action.
Guess what? Within three weeks she had a new job at a higher level, project management, despite it being summer and one of the weeks Fourth of July.
How did this happen? Why one of the people on her bowling league said, “Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to work at X company? My son works there!” So, my client gave her friend the new resume, her friend passed it on, and my client landed her dream gig. This person had been in her network the whole time!
Steve, a six-figure commercial lender (and one of my clients), has landed his last four positions using his network - maintaining it throughout his career. Each position was at a higher level - in title, compensation, perks, etc.
George created his last two positions where no position had been before - one as a marketing director. He made the connection at one of my live Rock Your Network(R) events. His most recent position he created by remaining connected with those he met.
Lisa, a human resources manager who had recently relocated, also landed her most recent position through networking - despite having no local network (or so she thought). She too attended one of my Rock Your Network(R) events and made several connections. Yes, she followed up (like others have mentioned). She was most amazed by how warm people were and by how much they wanted to help.
Can the internet be used for networking? Heck yes! Again, it must be done right. Asking for favors with zero connection is not networking. It’s begging. Networking is about relationships - building them and maintaining them.
Margaret, a recent college grad working in DC politics, wanted a major career change. She jumped on FaceBook and reconnected with some friends from high school. One of them had her exact dream job with her dream company. She learned more about the position and her friend got her an interview.
Networking DOES work - offline or on. The important thing to remember is that it is a two-way street. Build and maintain the relationship.
Can they be revived after being dormant for years? Yes! Recently I got a call from a former co-worker. It had been 10 years since I had heard from her. She called with an opportunity, not begging for a job. She called to reconnect. She called to ask for help with her husband’s company who is experiencing a downsizing - and she wants to put me in touch with their HR team. Now that is the right way to go about reconnecting.
A wrong way? Got a call last week from another former co-worker. He wants a change. What names could I give him? Who do I know in the X field? Hmmm. I had not talked this person in several years and the first thing he wants are my connections.
See the diff?
Challenge: Take a look at how you’ve been networking. Really look. And be honest with yourself. Have you been begging or building?
Comment by Wendy Terwelp — April 24, 2008 #
This is a very accurate article. I am a graduating senior and am experiencing the difficulty in obtaining a job. Wish I had done those internships while an undergrad.
Comment by Dedicated Hosting Provider — April 27, 2008 #