Posted this question the other day and got 800+ responses
here's a thread breaking down the fourteen most common, creative, and hilarious ways people landed their current gig
1. "I created it"
this was BY FAR the most common response
Key takeaway: don't like your job? create one you do
2. Spray and pray
honestly didn't know the "scrape every company in a 10 mile radius" tactic was even a thing
Key takeaway: if you cast out enough lines, you'll get bites
3. LinkedIn
For as much crap as we give it, LinkedIn still gets the job done
Key takeaway: still gonna make fun of it
4. Twitter
Was a little surprised that this wasn't more popular
Key takeaway: sometimes it feels like everyone gets their job through Twitter, but given that most people who find job opportunities via twitter are very active on twitter, its probs a bit of an echo chamber
5. Worked way up
Key takeaway: With career hopping becoming the norm, it was cool to see people still commit to a company long term
6. Luck
Right place, right time stories are my fav
Key takeaway: you really never know when your life might change forever
7. Driving Uber
This is similar to luck but even more intentional
Key takeaway: now i'm wondering what other ways you can leverage the huge amount of passengers that Uber drivers interact w/ every day
8. Craigslist
Key takeaway: I've also heard of co-founders meeting on Craigslist. what a platform
9. Quora
Never in a million years would've thought answering questions on Quora would result in a job
Key takeaway: share your knowledge publically. it doesn't matter where
10. Cold outreach
This one is near and dear to my heart cuz it's how I landed at the Brew
Key takeaway: firmly believe that a well crafted cold email (or DM) is the most powerful job finder on earth
11. Friend-of-a-friend
Notice how none of these are 1st degree connections
Key takeaway: your college roommate likely won't get you a job. your college roommate's older sibling might tho. networking up > networking sideways
12. Ex's
This is a funny wrinkle on the above method
Key takeaway: I don't recommend calling your ex right now and asking for a job. but if you do, please live tweet it
13. Classic jobsite
Job boards and job sites have been around forever and they aren't going anywhere
Key takeaway: seems like industry specific job boards are the most effective
14. Podcasts
Absolutely love this method
Key takeaway: bit cynical, but people love talking about themselves. if you give them a platform to do that, they are way more likely to hire you
Conclusion
There is no "correct" career path
you do you
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