It’s graduation season!
Time to trot out all of the timeworn platitudes and cliches about hard work and bright futures and Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
Not to take away from the achievement and the excitement — you have worked hard, you absolutely deserve to celebrate, and we believe you do have much to look forward to — but we realize that sometimes these words fall flat in the face of the concerns you might have for your future. Vague encouragement and boilerplate advice just don’t cut it in today’s rapidly evolving jobs landscape. What worked when your parents graduated isn’t going to work now (and at this speed of change, this may even hold true for an older sibling!)
We reached out to a group of trusted leaders for words of wisdom that apply to the challenges you’re facing, today and in the days to come. From mindset to skills to figuring out how to get in front of the people who count, they’ve got advice for what’s working in today’s job marketplace.
Real Advice For the Moment We're In (and Beyond)
Ray Chan - Senior Director, Career Services, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University
There is no pre-defined path in the pursuit of a career goal --- a goal which will very likely evolve as you continue on in your journey. Enjoy the ride and the changes that come, cherish your achievements and continue to make/preserve quality connections along the way.
Find Ray on LinkedIn
Heather Kernhan - Founder and CEO of private investment firm Novella Ventures
Start learning the skill of behaving famously. It will support you throughout your entire career. Behaving famously can take many forms: attending events, asking one person each week to meet and talk about career topics, creating content that shares your insights and perspective, connecting on LinkedIn, asking for introductions to interesting people in the industry you want to work in, and volunteering at events you’d like to attend so you can meet a wide range of people. There are many ways to build this skill, you have to simply begin. Start behaving famously and with practice, you’ll begin attracting the right opportunities.
Find Heather on LinkedIn
Kristin Weddick - Strategic HR Leader, Senior Regional HR Business Partner at Sekisui House U.S.
Every room you enter is a chance to network and learn. Have the courage to initiate conversations with new people, the humility to recognize that you’re rarely the smartest person in the room, and be insatiably curious about the people and the world around you.
Whether you land in your dream role right away or a job that’s just for now, embrace the experience and get really good at it. Remember that your opportunities are shaped by how you show up each day. It's the discretionary effort, the “+1” or the “extra mile” you give, that truly sets you apart.
Find Kirsten on LinkedIn
Jill Hernstat - CEO of recruiting firm Hernstat & Company
One of the first things recent graduates should do is build a strong LinkedIn profile. Think about the companies where you’d like to work, follow them, and stay informed about their news, hiring activity, and industry trends.
Networking is critical. Reach out to people you know and don’t be afraid to ask for advice, introductions, or referrals. Leverage your college alumni network, as fellow alumni are often willing to help with introductions and recommendations to hiring managers.
Be open-minded about your first role. It may not be your dream job, but it can provide valuable experience, help you develop new skills, expand your network, and open doors to future opportunities.
It’s also important to become knowledgeable about artificial intelligence. Take courses, stay current on new AI tools, and learn how AI can improve productivity and decision-making. Employers increasingly value candidates who understand how to use AI effectively in the workplace.
Most importantly, continuously invest in building your professional network. Relationships, referrals, and recommendations often play a significant role in finding and securing new career opportunities.
Find Jill on LinkedIn
Heather Jerrehian - CEO and Founder, H22AI™
Given the high competition for jobs, take full advantage of transferable trust using your real-world network. You have relationships where you’ve earned trust, whether that be with previous employers, coaches, teachers, or neighborhood or family connections. They, in turn, have people who trust them.
Rather than playing the numbers game with cold contacts, make sure everyone in your network knows what type of job you’re looking for, and what makes you uniquely suited for it. Use a broad definition of network, and don’t forget to include peers — you never know who’s connected where, and what might come of those connections!
Find Heather on LinkedIn
