Network more, sweat less

Seriously, it's the key to ending SAPA.

abraham

Abraham Iyiola

3 févr. 2024

WorkHerholic is a community for cool African women looking for opportunities to connect, learn & grow!

Hey, Workie!

Please, I need your help settling this debate.

What’s more important - Experience or Connections? My friends wanted to tear each other’s shirts because of this matter, but I want to know what you think.

P.S. This newsletter is for undergraduates and newbies in the corporate space. Know anyone who fit this description? Please share with them


CORPORATE BANTS

Get On Your Networking Grind!

At what point do you have to start taking connections and networking seriously? In my opinion, you spend your whole life making connections, but when do you need to start making a conscious effort to network?

If anyone’s ever told you that you should wait till graduation to start networking, please quickly remove your slippers and flee far from that enemy of progress!!!

Now, even if you’ve already graduated, all hope isn’t lost; you just have a little bit of catching up to do, but I’m here to help.

I’d say that when it comes to networking as a student or a new graduate, you should start from the ground up. Don’t count people like coursemates and lecturers out; basically, get in with people in close proximity to you first (it’s great practice!), and then you can start stepping outside your social groups.

Studies have shown that 31% of job applicants find openings through their connections, further proving that networking can open doors to new opportunities that might be out of reach otherwise.

I’m not saying you need to be besties with all your coursemates, but focus on these three things - be helpful, listen more than you talk, and be genuinely interested in the person you talk to - and you’ll be golden.

There are so many ways you could network as a student. They’re pretty easy, so listen up:

  1. Shoot for internships: You can meet a lot of valuable people through internships and get a ton of valuable experience.
  2. Get active on LinkedIn: Hochman says employers don’t rate applicants who aren’t on LinkedIn, and aside from boosting your credibility, you could use it to connect with professionals in the field you want to be in.
  3. Use your personal connections: This is pretty self-explanatory. Don’t limit yourself to formal connections; look within, because friends and family could be some of the most useful connections in the long run.

AMATEUR HOUR

Maybe You’re Not That Behind After All.

After graduation, it seemed like this guy’s peers were way ahead of him and he was about to give up but instead, he leveraged his network and made something out of what seemed like a hopeless situation.


SIDEHUSTLE SPOTLIGHT

Social Media Management

So, what exactly is Social Media Management?

Social media management involves creating content, scheduling its publication, developing a strategy, interacting with users, growing reach, and monitoring the performance of a company’s accounts on social media.

A lot of companies and individuals are looking for skilled professionals to manage their online presence, so if you’re passionate about social media, maybe look into this.

This side hustle is for you if:

  • You’re extremely organized and put together.

  • You’re well-versed in various social media platforms.

  • You’re extremely creative and up-to-date with the latest social media trends.

  • You have great copywriting skills.


TOP PICKS FOR GIGS

Jobs Of The Week


In Partnership With

WorkHerholic

Need access to high-paying gigs? Then, join the WorkHERholic telegram community to get access to them daily. Increase your earning potential in 2024.

Run, don’t walk, and join now!


DEV RECS

Upskill Opportunity Of The Week

Upskillist: Graphic Design Course

If you’ve ever wanted to get into graphic design and you’re worried that you aren’t qualified enough, I have the perfect thing for you.

Upskillist’s Graphic Design Course will help you learn a variety of open-source and affordable software options, such as GIMP, Inkscape, Adobe Capture, and Canva.  You’ll also learn advanced digital illustration and get help creating your infographic résumé and portfolio.

THE LITTLE PERKS:

  • The course is 100% free, so you can get skilled on a budget.

  • The course comes with a certificate that you can cite on your CV.

  • You can learn at your own pace, so don’t worry about adjusting your schedule to fit it.


LEVEL UP SQUARE

Four little tricks to upgrade your life:

Opportunities of the Week:


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Written and Edited by Ayomide Abiodun

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