It's about who you are.
My first last semester of college ended, and I’m kind of freaking out. I mean it’s normal, right? I’m only going to graduate, start paying off my loans, live paycheck to paycheck and continue living off blue box mac and cheese. But I guess it could be worse. I could be living off of stale bread and tap water. The point is, we’re all scared and it’s totally okay. Some of us have no idea what we’re going to do, or where we’ll end up. Some of us are completely on our own, not even sure of what direction to go in. And then there are others who don’t even have to interview but know they’ll land a job working at their dad’s engineering firm. We can’t always get lucky. But falling into a job because of your dad, or aunt or third cousin twice removed is only the case for very few of us. The other 95 percent have to actually work for it.
We’re told early on to make connections and to network with as many people as possible because our job opportunities basically rely on nepotism. I can’t even begin to explain how completely untrue that is. No one gives a shit if you’re the boss’s niece if you can’t make eye contact and have a conversation with people. I’m not saying you shouldn’t make connections. I mean, of course, it doesn’t hurt to meet professionals, exchange business cards and then creepily stalk them on every social media site, but only add them on LinkedIn, if you’re into that sort of thing. Sure, it doesn’t hurt, but it’s really not necessary, so don’t let not knowing anyone discourage you from getting the job of your dreams.
“It’s all about who you know” is bullshit. If you nail an interview and have the right credentials, you will get the job, simple as that.
Two summers ago, I was at a memorial day party and was introduced to a woman that was a reporter at Fox43. After talking to her for what seemed like forever, she gave me her email and phone number and told me very firmly and full of confidence, that she could get me an internship. I emailed her and texted her at least four times until she replied several months later. (It doesn’t hurt to be persistent.) She said she would put me in touch with the woman that handled the internships. I waited and waited but I never heard anything from anyone, so reluctantly I gave up. Several months later during winter break, when the Powerball jackpot was through the roof, a different Fox43 reporter came into my work to cover the story. When I had the chance, I told her all about wanting to go into TV, so she gave me her business card. I emailed her, again about three times, before finally giving up after not hearing anything. I really thought I had a chance at Fox43 after unintentionally bumping into two connections. It just seemed like fate at the time.
Then last summer, I applied for several internships in the Harrisburg area at local news and radio stations, except Fox43 because they dissed me twice. I got an interview at three different places and didn’t know a single person that worked there. I wasn’t even thinking about connections. The only thing I was thinking was that I had a great resume and wanted something else to do with my summer besides sell cigarettes and lottery tickets at Rutters four days a week. I was offered the internship at all three places. I was beaming with pride. I didn’t know a damn person there, and it didn’t matter at all. So to anyone that says it’s all about who you know, tell them they can take their dad’s friend’s job offer and shove it.
Just be you. Of course, treat this opportunity professionally. Be on time, bring work samples and ask questions, but more importantly, just loosen up. Don’t treat this interview like you’re being interrogated for murder under a fluorescent garage light. Talk to them like you’re talking to your friend. You know, a friend that is much older than you, and important, and also in charge of your future. Get to know them, and let them know you. Show your sense of humor and passion for the field. If you’re not passionate about the job, it will show. No one wants to hire someone just because it pays the bills. That kind of stuff only flies at McDonald’s.
As long as you are confident in yourself and can prove that you are competent for the job, you will be just fine. Don’t let anything discourage you. Go for the job even if you think you’re under qualified. You never know until you try. A huge part of life is taking risks, going off plan and doing things outside your comfort zone. I took a huge risk and was pretty shocked at what happened next.
I look for internships religiously. It’s kind of a hobby of mine. Some people like knitting, others like contouring their face until they’re unrecognizable. But me? I like looking through pages and pages of Indeed. One day I stumbled upon a place called 31st Street Studios in Pittsburgh through my many modes of social media stalking. I sent them my resume and told them I was interested, but they told me to reply back when they were looking for spring interns, which I would know through their Twitter updates. One day I decided to check up on their page because I hadn’t seen anything lately. It turned out the deadline to apply was that Friday, and by the time I saw it, it was Monday. I could have said screw it. I could have thought it was no use because I was late. I could have looked past it not even really thinking I would get it. But I sent my resume anyways. All it took was three clicks of a button. Roughly 30 seconds of my time. It took so little energy and time out of my day that I honestly forgot I applied. Until they called me the next day and we had a phone interview. A week later I found myself driving all the way to Pittsburgh for what could have been a 15-minute interview at the film studio that shot the Dark Knight Rises, and The Fault in Our Stars. I was in awe. I certainly didn’t think I was qualified, especially when I’m up against Carnegie Mellon, Pitt and Point Park students who have way more opportunities and resources than I do. The interview was on a Wednesday, and that Friday I got the call back that I got the internship. Two weeks prior to that, I contemplated even sending them my resume.
Moral of the story here is, don’t ever hesitate. Don’t let any opportunity slip by because of a deadline, or a connection you don’t have. None of that matters. If you are awesome it will show. If you have passion, it will show. Whoever said connections matter, was wrong. You will get the job if you work hard for it.
