29 Jan Secret #1: Begin Your Job Search Early
When is the right time to start looking for a new job or an internship? The time is RIGHT NOW!! Trust me when I say that is never too early to begin your job search.
I have never regretted being out in front of the pack as I tried to get a summer internship between semesters. I started in the end of January trying to get a job that started in May. Needless to say it worked out, so let me tell you why…Tenacity and drive.
‘You came at the right time. You came earlier than anybody else. We are about to start hiring.’
I have a peculiar system when it comes to applying to jobs, whether or not they have any current employment opportunities (another secret for another day). One time, I stopped in at a local engineering firm at the end of January and had an impromptu interview in the conference room. We chatted for 15-20 minutes about their company and myself with the chief engineer before he told me, ‘You came at the right time. You came earlier than anybody else. We are about to start hiring.’ I was ecstatic for the opportunities that laid ahead, but ultimately I decided to pursue my graduate degree in California so I did not accept the job offer.
So now what?… I didn’t take a job offer so that I could get a graduate degree and I didn’t have a job. Things were about to get interesting.
‘the early bird gets the worm’
About a month later in early March, I took a trip to California to check out the campus where I would be attending in the fall and to find a job. I was able to schedule a few office visits and interviews while I was in town. Many of my office visits turned into interviews (another secret for another day). One of those interviews was just as they were beginning a string of interviews for their summer internship. Again, this was an example that ‘the early bird gets the worm’. I really liked the company and I got an offer. I turned down the other offers that I received on my trip.
I’m not promising the same results, but if you put yourself out their early then you will have more opportunities. There have been times when I was too early. Sometimes the company isn’t hiring interns, but it provides a reason to follow up with them later. They may even come on the offensice and reach out to you if you make a good impression. Any chance I can have to get in front of them either via email, phone or in the office…. I will take it. Some may call it annoying but it’s about persistence and showing them that you are driven. WARNING: There is a point where it can be creepy if you don’t leave them alone… just don’t be creepy (another secret for another day).
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Keep on keepin’ on.
Life’s a garden… Dig it!
If you have any additional topics or subtopics that you would like me to cover, please contact me at josh@thehipsterengineer.com
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