Need Advice – Senior in College Struggling with Job Search

Hey everyone,

I'm a senior at a semi-target with internship experience in real estate and active involvement in RE-related groups at my school. I’ve been applying to jobs, but I’m getting zero traction—not even an initial screen.

At the start of the school year, I was networking heavily, but I’ve completely stopped and now have no clue where to even start again. Right now, I’m just cold applying, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Should I restart networking? If so, how would you go about it?

Has anyone seen hiring pick up recently, or is this just a slow cycle?

Any advice would be really appreciated!

2 Comments
 

Restarting networking is absolutely the way to go. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a structured approach to get back on track:

  1. Reignite Networking Efforts:

    • Start by reaching out to alumni or professionals you’ve previously connected with. A simple message like, “Hi Name, I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to reconnect and see if you have any advice for someone in my position as I continue my job search in real estate.”
    • Use LinkedIn and your school’s alumni database to identify new contacts in the industry. Focus on informational interviews rather than directly asking for jobs.
  2. Structure Your Networking Conversations:

    • Step 1: Ask for an introduction or a quick chat to learn about their career path and insights into the industry.
    • Step 2: Build rapport by asking thoughtful questions and showcasing your interest in real estate.
    • Step 3: At the end of the conversation, ask if they know of any opportunities or if they can connect you with someone else in their network.
  3. Leverage Your Real Estate Experience:

    • Highlight your internship experience and involvement in RE-related groups during networking conversations. This demonstrates your commitment and passion for the field.
  4. Cold Applying Isn’t Enough:

    • Cold applications often have a low success rate. Pair your applications with networking efforts. For example, if you apply to a role, find someone at the company on LinkedIn and reach out to express your interest in the position.
  5. Prepare for Technicals:

    • If you do land interviews, be ready for technical questions. Brush up on real estate modeling, ARGUS, and other relevant skills. This preparation can make a huge difference.
  6. Be Persistent and Patient:

    • Hiring cycles can be slow, but persistence pays off. Keep track of your networking efforts and follow up with contacts periodically.

Remember, networking is about building relationships, not just asking for jobs. Stay consistent, and opportunities will come your way. Good luck!

Sources: The Real Estate Job Hunt - How are people doing?, Real Estate Megathread - The Best RE Posts on WSO, What should go on my resume and cover letter in my circumstance for internship applications (RE specific), The Real Estate Job Hunt - How are people doing?, Laid off, Depressed and Giving up...

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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