They say if you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere. Being in the belly of the beast myself for the past seven years or so, especially coming from the generation where the economy was at its worst, that statement could not be truer as millions of us had to develop a tenacious attitude like no other in order to overcome the pitfalls of what was going on and thrive on our own.
Now that the economy is starting to see a bit of a turnaround, job creation seems to be getting bigger and bigger for the college graduates of 2016 (maybe for people who want to get a job in gun control and safety) and for people looking to get back into the workforce. The job options seven years ago were frail and weak, to the point where i had to go back to working at my local supermarket just to make ends meet on a weekly basis, which is embarrassing enough after putting myself through five years of school, three internships, endless hours of studying, and so much more. It was a slap in the face yet I figured out how to ride the wave and I am at the point now where I have broken some ground in my career however there are still layers uncovered that I am determined to get to.
That being said, if you are looking to thrive in the best city in the world, there are three easy steps that can help you get started in your own "journey" of sorts to get you to where uou want to be. As someone who has three different jobs right now, all of which I love, they all came from following the below steps and now I wake up each day looking forward to what my life brings me next. Take a look.
1. Utilize LinkedIn like its water. When i was in college, and introduced to LinkedIn about ten years ago, it was still a relatively new site with one mission- professional networking. Just like Facebook and Twitter, it took on a mind of its own and is one of the most clicked on sites in the world. For any college graduate, student, or someone looking to get back into the workforce, this is the easiest step in order to make introductions, introduce yourself to people who are working at the company/companies you want to work at, and find a way in, starting with a simple click of a button called "Connect". This site has provided me with so many different types of professional connections, many of which I can reach out to should I need something for any of the jobs I am at. Don't be a wallflower, chat it up with as many people as possible, find the right way in, and who knows? It might just land you that dream job or starter job you have been wanting for a while.
2. Make a business card. Even if you don't have a company you work for, or a business owner, you are your own business. Therefore, you should create a business card and have about 10-15 handy on you at all times because you never know when you will run into someone crucial that you can pass it off to and start the conversation. Most sites advertise 250 cards for $25 bucks, so it won't break the bank either. Just do it.
3. Networking events are beyond vital. Just google "Networking Events Manhattan", "Networking Events New York City" and a plethora of events will show up with like minded people who are looking to make their way into whatever industry they are interested in. Many of these events will have top notch recruiters who are literally your pinch hitters to help you get that job you want, on top of the actual companies that are looking to hire asap. These are no brainers that kind of combine the first two steps- locating the events online, make the business card, dress accordingly, and sell yourself to the best of your advantage. Easy peasy.
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