Navigating the Job Market During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Networking is just as crucial (if not more so) virtually as it is in-person. One of the initial ways to network virtually as a new underclassman at UCLA is to join on-campus clubs and organizations that are focused on the specification of business that you are interested in. It is crucial to find a club that best fits your interest as well as rigor and time commitment. There are hundreds of clubs on campus that follow a variety of interests — not just business related. My first tip is to take time to analyze how you choose to spend your free time because this is typically a strong indicator of your interests. Because business is able to branch into nearly every industry in existence, it is quite possible to combine your interests with an extracurricular career path. Additionally, consider the time you are willing to commit and how intense of a club you wish to participate in. 

Once you decide what club is the best fit for you, begin focusing on networking with current members and eventually establishing a leadership position inside the club. Put yourself outside of your comfort zone and talk to older members, and understand what each leadership position entails to find the one that is the best fit for you.

Besides leadership, it is essential to connect with other club members to understand their career paths and how they got internship offers. If possible, ask for a referral or recruiter contact information for internships of interest. After establishing yourself in on-campus activities, it is crucial to take advantage of virtual career fairs and networking opportunities. In these fairs, take the approach of selling your “brand” to recruiters. Take time to practice a 60 second “tell me about yourself” pitch that explains what sparked your interest in the specific field, and the steps you have taken to get there, such as club involvement, previous internships, and coursework. Convince recruiters that you are an asset to their team through the skills and value that you would add.

Cold emailing, calling, and social media messaging are also essential during quarantine towards expanding your network. My best piece of advice would be to attempt to schedule one call, email, or message a week. Start off utilizing family and friend connections, so that you are able to practice networking with those you are more comfortable with. Write a list of 5-10 questions that are specific to the career of interest and are concerns that can not be addressed with a simple internet search (ex. Asking how many interns are hired or how much employees get paid may not be the most beneficial). Keep calls around 15-20 minutes, and be sure to thank contacts for their time. It is also appropriate to ask for referrals to other contacts to expand your network. In regards to email and LinkedIn, search for employees that work at companies you are interested in, in particular at cities that you want to live in (especially if they are UCLA alumni, they are much more likely to answer). Start the message with a personal connection to this contact, such as the same alma mater, and then express a short summary of your previous career and future path, and that you would love to set up a call. 

After building a network of contacts, one important tip is to create a spreadsheet to keep your contacts’ name, number, place of employment, email, and details, so that you have it for future reference.

Besides professional contacts, it can be important to build a professional community through an academic lens. Professors can be great resources due to their past experiences in fields of interest. In order to explore these opportunities, attend office hours, and inquire about research and shadowing opportunities.

Networking is almost more important now because due to quarantine we are now more disconnected than ever. Networking helps in keeping future options and opportunities open. During quarantine, many students and young professionals have experienced a time of career awakening and realization. Many individuals are exploring other careers because they have realized the career path they were pursuing is no longer the right fit for them. Networking within multiple different industries allows you to explore these different options. Additionally, there is currently a scarcity of internships due to the fact that companies have limited funding. Lastly, virtual networking allows for the development and fostering of social skills. Maintaining personality and social interaction is crucial for landing a future internship.