AI, Tech and Career Content Creator | LinkedIn Top Voice | Product @ Persona | Speaker | Cornell MEM'23 Grad | Featured in Business Insider & Times Square
✨ This week last year, I got my first full-time job offer. It came 8 months after graduation and 1 full year of job searching. When I graduated from an Ivy League, I assumed the job search would be easier. But those expectations were quickly thrashed. I’ve met people who landed jobs the traditional way. But I wasn’t one of them. I was in the second bucket - the ones who had to get creative. The first role I got post-grad → came from messaging a founder I’d known years ago. My current role → came from LinkedIn. I was first rejected, but months later a recruiter slid back into my DMs after seeing the work I shared online. The truth? The market is competitive. Really competitive. If you want to stand out, you can’t just “apply and wait.” Here’s what worked for me ⬇️ ✨ Hyper-personalize your resume. Tailor it for the specific role. ✨ Find a foot in the door. Once you do, re-tailor your resume even more closely to the JD. ✨ Reach out. Don’t just wait - email people, DM recruiters, connect with employees. ✨ Show creativity in interviews. Build a case study, solve a real problem, make them remember you. ✨ Share your work publicly. Silent people don’t get fed. ✨ Stay in touch with recruiters. If you came close, keep the door open - you never know when they’ll circle back. I used to think job searching was a straight line. Turns out, it’s a messy, scrappy, zig-zag path. And that’s okay. Because it only takes one “yes.” 🙌
This is so relatable! The job hunt really isn’t a straight path, and stories like yours make it feel a lot less isolating. Love how you emphasized creativity and persistence especially the part about staying in touch with recruiters and sharing your work publicly. That ‘one yes’ really is all it takes. Thanks for sharing this.
This hit home. Job searches aren't easy, even with the right degree. Love how you turned the “no’s” into a path.
Love this! A great reminder that job searches aren’t always linear—sometimes creativity and persistence open the best doors. Thanks for sharing your journey
This is such a raw and relatable take. Everyone dreams of the “straight line” job hunt apply, interview, get the offer but in reality, most of us end up on the zig-zag path you’ve described. And honestly, that scrappiness builds resilience that a straight line never could.
messy, scrappy, zig-zag the actual career graph nobody draws.
This is such a powerful reminder that the path isn't always linear—and that doesn't make it any less valid. Your story shows the magic of persistence, creativity, and showing up even when the door closes. Love the grit and honesty here. 👏 Jahnavi Shah
Your story shows how resilience and creativity matter more than a straight path in today’s job market Jahnavi Shah
The one “yes” changed everything.
Love how honestly you shared this. The zig-zag journey is so real, and your tips are gold for anyone job hunting right now 🙌
Product Enthusiast
16hThanks for sharing your experience.