Connecting with Alumni for Career Opportunities

Never play H-O-R-S-E with Stephen Curry. Here’s a tough truth: many job postings receive anywhere from 300 to 1,000 applications. Let’s be generous and say 300. If everything were equal, your odds of landing the job are about 0.33%. 😐 To put that in perspective: You might have better odds of beating Steph Curry in a game of HORSE. In other words: applying blindly online is wildly competitive. So why do so many job seekers spend 90–100% of their time hitting “Apply”? Here’s a better strategy: 👉 Spend 70% (or more!) of your time networking, and just 30% applying. Why Networking Works Because behind every job posting is… a person. And networking is simply about starting a conversation with that person, or someone who knows them. That’s it. Start with people you know—or are just one degree removed from: ➡️ Friends and former coworkers ➡️ Neighbors, people from church, your gym, or kids’ school ➡️ Friends who know friends ➡️ Your broader community Then expand using tools like LinkedIn: ➡️ Alumni from your college (even if you never met) ➡️ Former colleagues from a past agency or employer ➡️ People from your hometown or who now live in your city ➡️ Shared affiliations (professional groups, certifications, etc.) The key? Ask for a conversation, not a job. Sample Message You Can Use: Hi Susan – I saw that you're a fellow Hokie – I was at Tech around the same time you were. I see that you're currently at Capital One working with them on Machine Learning. I've heard some great things about the organization and would love to chat with you for a few minutes to learn more about your experience and any advice you might have for me in my career. Thanks so much for your time and connecting here. When You Get the Conversation ➡️ It’s not a pitch—it’s a chance to learn. Ask questions like: ➡️ What do you enjoy most about your work? ➡️ What helped you transition successfully into this role or company? ➡️ Is there anyone else you recommend I speak with? And if the conversation goes well, follow up with: Hi Susan, It was great chatting with you the other day. Thanks so much for taking the time to meet with me. I saw this job posting at Capital One and thought I might be a good fit. What do you think? Even if it doesn’t lead directly to a job, you’ve just become more than a resume in a stack of 300 (or 1000 😬). Bottom Line: Online applications aren’t pointless—but they’re not the whole game either. Real opportunities come through real people. So this week, try this: ✅ Apply to a few jobs ✅ Reach out to three times as many people Because your job search shouldn't come down to beating Steph Curry at his own game. And lastly, here's a fun video of two of the best shooters ever: https://lnkd.in/eArXWgrb

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’ve applied everywhere. I’ve heard nothing.” If that’s you right now... Let’s pause. Let’s pivot. Because what if the answer isn’t more job boards... but new doors you haven’t knocked on? If you're a May 2025 grad (especially on an F-1 visa), job searching in the U.S. can feel like running a marathon in a fog. But here’s a secret: You don’t always need access to the C-suite. You need a crack in the door. And cracks? You can create them. Here are networking strategies you haven’t tried yet—and how to do them in real life. 1. The “Alumni Stack” Strategy Instead of a one-off message to one alum, build a chain. How to do it: Search for alumni from your school on LinkedIn Use filters: industry + location + company (e.g., “Data Analyst” + “Bay Area” + “Visa Inc.”) Reach out to 5 with a message like: “Hi [Name], I’m a May 2025 grad exploring roles in [field]. I noticed you’ve made a transition I really admire. I’d love to hear 2 mins of your journey—no pressure to respond, just grateful to learn from alumni like you.” Once you speak to one, end by asking: “Is there someone else you’d recommend I reach out to next?” That intro makes the next conversation 10x easier. It’s like referrals—but for insight. 2. Start a “Career Curiosity” Newsletter (Even if it’s just 5 subscribers) When you share what you’re learning, you become a magnet. How to do it: Pick a free platform (Substack, Beehiiv, LinkedIn articles) Once a week, share what you're learning in your job search: 1 resource (course, tool, podcast) 1 insight (“What I learned from shadowing a UX designer”) 1 question for your readers Share it with people you admire: “Hi [Name], I’ve started a small newsletter where I unpack career tools and lessons as a new grad. I mentioned your work in the latest edition—thank you for the inspiration!” Suddenly, you’re not just searching. You’re creating conversation. 3. Offer to “Intern” for 1 Week (Unpaid & Project-Based) It’s bold—but bold gets remembered. How to do it: Identify small companies, startups, or nonprofits you genuinely care about Find a task you could help with (BIM audit, website UX review, blog writing) Reach out with: “Hi [Name], I’m a recent grad learning [skill]. I’d love to offer 1 week of help—free—on a micro-project your team’s too busy to finish. I’ll treat it as a capstone, and you get a finished piece of work. Open to it?” Even if they say no—you’ve made a lasting impression. And if they say yes? That could turn into a referral or a role. Final Thought: Most people think networking = asking for jobs. But real networking? It’s creating a reason to stay in someone’s mind—long before you ever apply. Your goal isn’t to impress. It’s to connect. To show up with curiosity. To leave behind a feeling that says: “This person is going somewhere.” Try just one idea this week. #JobSearch2025 #NetworkingWithoutCringe #InternationalStudents #GradLife