Gen Z’s Bold Career Move: From Rejection to Google via LinkedIn

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(SeaPRwire) –   By: Robert Kensington

In today’s competitive job market, graduates often find themselves facing numerous challenges when trying to land their dream jobs. Basant Shenouda’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and unconventional thinking. After graduating from one of Germany’s top universities, Shenouda spent six months sending out applications online and sliding into recruiters’ DMs on LinkedIn, only to be ghosted. However, she refused to give up and decided to take a more proactive approach.

Shenouda noticed that it was becoming increasingly difficult to reach hiring managers, even virtually. With over a billion users on LinkedIn, recruiters were overwhelmed with messages from strangers, making it easy for her applications to get lost in the shuffle. So, she decided to change her strategy. Instead of cold-messaging hiring managers, she started tracking which conferences they were posting about. This led her to the Online Marketing Rockstars conference in Hamburg, a well-known marketing and sales event in Germany.

Since Shenouda graduated in marketing and was looking to get into sales, this conference seemed like the perfect opportunity to meet decision-makers in her field. People were even flying in from the U.S., providing her with a great networking opportunity. She volunteered to waitress at the conference, which allowed her to gain free entry. She then traveled over six hours from Cologne to Hamburg by train, armed with a stack of résumés.

During her breaks at the conference, Shenouda took a bold step. She put her CV in front of 30 to 40 faces, telling them she was looking for feedback. Secretly, she hoped her approach would impress at least one recruitment manager. And it did. After a six-month hiring process, she landed a job at LinkedIn. She worked there until 2014, climbing to the role of implementation consultant in Dublin. Now, she’s at Google, all thanks to her willingness to take risks and think outside the box.

One of the key lessons from Shenouda’s story is the importance of targeting the employers that rejected you. She didn’t just give up after being ghosted; instead, she drew up a hit list of conferences where hiring managers from her dream companies would be present. She even went face-to-face with those who had rejected her online, like LinkedIn’s recruiter. By doing so, she gained valuable feedback that allowed her to improve her applications and increase her chances of success.

Another important aspect is how to convert networking into a job offer. Shenouda showed her CV to around 200 recruiters across several conferences before having any luck. To make the most of these networking opportunities, she learned some valuable tips. First, talk impact. Instead of just saying “I want a job,” talk about your achievements and the impact you can make. For example, when pitching for her current role, she talked about her wins during a previous internship at Intel. Second, listen. Focus your elevator pitch on the other person’s needs. If they’re looking for someone who can achieve a particular project, make sure you speak their language. Finally, foster friendships. Building meaningful connections is crucial for long-term career success. She still keeps in touch with a Facebook recruiter she met at a careers event seven years ago, bonding over their mutual love for weightlifting.

In conclusion, Shenouda’s story serves as an inspiration for graduates facing a tough job market. It shows that with determination, creativity, and a willingness to take risks, you can overcome challenges and achieve your career goals. So, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and take unconventional paths to land your dream job.

Author bio: Robert Kensington, an overseas entrepreneurial veteran with decades of experience in real-economy industrial investment and expansion.