I almost didn't get my first job in comms.
Actually, I didn't. They rejected me. But I never got the rejection letter, so after a couple of weeks I assumed it got lost in the mail and applied again. They brought me in for an interview and hired me because… more
I almost didn't get my first job in comms.
Actually, I didn't. They rejected me. But I never got the rejection letter, so after a couple of weeks I assumed it got lost in the mail and applied again. They brought me in for an interview and hired me because they were impressed I applied again after a no.
If that rejection letter had reached me, I'd never have applied again. I'd have taken that no as a no, forever.
Every job I've had since came through a connection. Literally every job. So when Yasmin Rufo at BBC asked me how careers really get built, that's my honest answer: a no isn't a no, it's a not right now. This story didn't make the final cut so consider this the bonus footage for my professional community on LinkedIn
Invest in your network before you need it. Check out Yamin's great story, including the people on the street interviews, below.like 102love 41celebrate 12insightful 4support 1
Fun chat with Benjamin Chipman at LinkedIn HQ about the questions GenZ has about networking but can be afraid to ask...
Benjamin Chipman
GenZ in the workplace this, GenZ in the workplace that.
LinkedIn saw that everyone had so much to say about how we as GenZ show up in the workplace that they… more
GenZ in the workplace this, GenZ in the workplace that.
LinkedIn saw that everyone had so much to say about how we as GenZ show up in the workplace that they invited me out to headquarters in Mountain View, CA to ask the questions to the man in charge-- CEO Daniel Shapero.
Dan and I got to talk honestly about what’s happening with early career opportunities and how to create experiences for yourself in a changing work climate.
We also talked about the elephant in the room… what AI means for professionals navigating their first jobs.
The biggest takeaways I’m leaving with?
1️⃣ Be generous with your experience.
⏩ Share your learnings and what it took for you to get there. That doesn't have to mean posting if you’re not ready for that. Comment and engage to maintain your connections and celebrate wins alongside others.
2️⃣ ”Connectionmaxxing” (as the Gen Alphas are calling it) doesn’t do much for ya in terms of creating opportunity. Those 500+ connections should be people you’ve actually engaged with, not just strangers on the internet.
⏩ Cultivating meaningful relationships will always bring you more value than spray-and-pray connecting.
3️⃣ There are fewer entry level jobs, we’re not imagining that… but the data suggest it’s not necessarily AI’s fault. Interest rates are actually the more likely culprit.
⏩ Standing out obviously matters more than ever, but using AI to apply for more jobs isn’t the solution. What is working, is investing in the human relationships that undergird every employment decision.
Can’t wait to share the full interview with you soon 😀 #LinkedInPartner #GenZintheWorkplace #Postgrad #EarlyCareer #GenZlike 83love 13celebrate 8insightful 5support 4
