Tell us about the job search. Was it more difficult or easier than you expected?
It was more difficult than I expected. I didn't anticipate how much time it would actually take to dedicate to the job search. It involves preparing your resume and cover letters, researching companies, actually looking through job boards for opportunities, networking, going to conferences, and preparing for the interviews. I met a lot of people throughout the process to discuss opportunities and advice and I eventually landed on an opportunity through an incredible conversation. With the pandemic, it took me about a year to be employed and I faced a lot of rejection along the way.
What was the interview process like?
Typically I started with a 15-30 min interview with either the person from recruitment or with someone more senior that I landed a conversation with. From there if there was an initial fit, I would move on to more interviews with members of the team and sometimes depending on the role there would be a technical component. I interviewed mainly through phone/zoom calls and always followed up with an email message after the interview. For my current role, the entire process took about 2 months from my initial interview to my offer letter.
What will you be doing?
I am currently working at a software company called Snyk. I'm a business analyst on their Strategy and Operations team, specifically working for their Strategic Initiatives team.
Do you have any job search tips for fellow students?
Be patient and really take the time to reflect through your experiences and how you want to apply your skills. Whenever I had networking opportunities or interviews, I found it really helpful to have my relevant experiences framed in the form of a story. That way it's really easy to explain to the interviewer how you would fit in at the company and team you're applying for. In addition, don't take rejection to heart or be discouraged. Most of the time it's really about finding the right fit for you and the company, it goes both ways.
If you used job boards, which one(s) did you think was the most effective?
LinkedIn, TandonConnect
When did you first start the job search & how long did it take you to get an interview?
I first started the job search in August of my senior year. The time to get an interview varied with each company depending on what roles I applied for. Typically within 2-4 weeks of applying I would be in the interview process.
Please select which method(s) led you to the job?
Network: Someone you connected with on LinkedIn or other introductions to the company