When I got my first job after graduating, a friend made a comment that I got my role through nepotism.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, this refers to individuals who get roles through their power or influence, or have the unfair advantage of family members being able to get them opportunities.
The comment got me thinking. Was it really nepotism or the fruits of my networking skills? Let me explain how this all started…
By Lina Diine
Member of our Youth Advisory Board and Claims Specialist.
Starting to build my networking skills
When I started Career Ready, I was very timid. I rarely participated in extracurricular activities that pushed my limits. With each workshop/masterclass, I was slowly but surely building my confidence. At this point, I did not have a network of people aside from my family, friends and teachers (if that counts!) and did not really understand the power of networking.
In the build-up to my internship, I attended masterclasses which focused on networking specifically around making meaningful relationships and leaving a lasting impression on those around me.
During my internship, networking allowed me to meet the CEO of the company – and stay in contact with him after it. I met others beyond the realm of my team. Through a thirty-minute conversation, a colleague I met helped me decide what I wanted to study at university. To ensure all these relationships did not go to waste, I stayed in contact with everyone on LinkedIn.
Post-internship, I learnt to build my self-confidence that by the time I went to university, I finally participated in opportunities that pushed my limits.
My next steps in networking
Whilst my official journey with Career Ready ended, my networking journey had just begun. I continued networking at career fairs, at social events and at masterclasses.
I remember speaking to a placement student at a careers fair. We found out we grew up in the same area and went to neighbouring schools, From what seemed like a surface level conversation he offered to provide a reference at his company for my application.
I received a placement offer at another company but was apprehensive to instantly accept it. Through speaking to my personal tutor, I found a contact already working there, and asked questions before making a final decision.
How networking helped me secure a graduate job
In my final year, I decided to try a new sector for my graduate role. It was tough. I was being rejected left, right and centre to every graduate scheme I applied to.
However, during my placement, I’d had regular catch ups with one of the graduates and I expressed I wanted to try out insurance. Low and behold, his best friend worked at a company I was interested in – and he put me in contact with him! This friend became a mentor, and asked if I’d secured a role. When I explained I hadn’t, he asked me to send my CV to him. Two days later I received a call from HR for an interview and within the same week I was offered the role.
When I explained this story to a friend, they jokingly commented that I got the role due to nepotism. I remember thinking, would others actually see it like that? But I believe it was the fruits of my networking skills that got me the job. Whilst I may not have applied officially through the website, I had to follow formal procedures.
Finding new opportunities through networking
Some of you may think it was a one-off and it wasn’t due to networking. Well, the role I am in now was also through my networks.
I was at an event where one of the hosts introduced me to someone at my company. Little did I know they were a head of a division and they let me know there might be an opening in the department. I spoke to the managers of that team before the role got advertised to see if it was something I was interested in.
If I saw this role advertised, I can safely say I would not have gone for it, but after having a conversation it sounded like a great role for me. I applied along with other internal applicants, and went through two rounds of interviews – it was not given to me on a silver platter!
The power of networking
I hope this helps to show the power of networking. At times it helps you make decisions. It opens doors to new opportunities, to meet new people, be exposed to new settings.
My advice to all those reading this is to make the most of every opportunity you get with Career Ready. Remember, networking will always be quality over quantity, it is not about the amount of people you speak to or connect with on LinkedIn but rather how meaningful those connections are as it is these contacts who are willing to help you progress.
And yes, nepotism does exist. But Career Ready equips you with networking skills to level the playing field against people who take advantage of it: to surround yourself with a strong network and be in full control of your future.
