Career Networking Advice for Graduating Seniors with UT Austin University Co-op Bookstore
As the 2021 graduation season took place, I was fortunate to be interviewed by the University of Texas at Austin bookstore, University Co-op, to chat about KNOCK and how reading it can help graduates prepare as they take their first step into the professional world.
Nadia, a second-year marketing intern at the bookstore, began the interview by asking me what inspired me to write the book. Great question!
Author Rebecca Leder’s Inspiration for KNOCK, the book
When I lived in Austin and built my lifestyle blog, The Rebeccammendations, I had to do a lot of networking, outreach, and partnerships. And I noticed a lot of the outreach emails I received lacked personalization. From there I started to notice this pattern that sometimes when we’re reaching for a goal in business, we are so focused on reaching that goal that we don’t take the time to slow down, really create purpose, and really focus on the value that we can add to a partnership or relationship. And I wanted to dive in deeper. I was inspired to conduct social and organizational psychology research to understand the science behind meaningful career connections – or positive, high quality connection, and to write my book.
Advice for Graduating Seniors as They Start Their Careers
Nadia also asked me if I had any advice for this year’s graduating seniors. Yes! I love sharing advice to help new graduates. I shared two pieces of advice:
- New graduates can use their experience in the virtual working world to their advantage. This is an interesting and unique time to graduate. New graduates are entering their careers during a time when many, if not most, people are working remotely in a virtual economy. New graduates can use that to their advantage.
- New graduates have likely experienced remote work and a virtual economy while in school. They’ve had to juggle their schedules and figure out Zoom, as well as know how to translate the work they’re doing fits in a digital world. Graduates can use all of that to their advantage when they jump into a new job.
- Pour your energy into the opportunities and the relationships that you see mutual value in. Take care to personalize your cover letters because there’s huge value in doing that. When you do this, you show prospective employers that you’ve done your research and you know enough about that opportunity and that you can meaningfully contribute to that company. Research also helps you define and refine what you want as you create your career path, and narrow in on the opportunities and relationships that will be mutually beneficial for all involved. (See Chapter 1: Know my topic and my contact in KNOCK) I’m a big advocate for pouring energy into those efforts upfront because it really does pay off in the end. Take a breath. Slow down. Focus on the opportunities where you have shared values. Invest in those relationships and opportunities from the beginning.
What’s one big takeaway from KNOCK?
Lastly, Nadia and I ended our interview with what I believe to be the biggest take-away for KNOCK readers. KNOCK is a confidence booster. I dedicated an entire chapter to getting your fears out of the way and building your confidence. It also answers questions like:
- How can I add value to someone who’s had decades more experience than me?
- How can I prove that this is going to be worth the time for both of us?
- What do I have to offer?
- How do I make a career change?
A lot of these doubts and questions are common with all professionals, and we all ask those. But you will get some immediate answers just by picking up KNOCK and some immediate nuggets that will make you feel more prepared and more confident. And as a result, new opportunities will knock.
Buy your copy of the book, KNOCK, at The Co-op here.
