In this episode of the Desperate Times Podcast, hosts Varun and Sakshi delve into the challenges of job hunting, particularly for international students. Sakshi shares her personal experiences navigating the job market, including the difficulties of transitioning to entry-level roles despite prior experience, the prevalence of job scams, and the frustrations of ghosting during the application process. The conversation also highlights the importance of networking and offers practical tips for effective outreach. Ultimately, the episode provides valuable insights for anyone facing the daunting task of job searching in today's competitive landscape.

Takeaways

• Job hunting can be particularly challenging for international students.
• Many applicants find themselves starting from entry-level positions despite prior experience.
• Job scams are prevalent, often disguising sales roles as marketing positions.
• Interviews should not require unpaid work or extensive preparation without compensation.
• Ghosting by employers is a common frustration in the job application process.
• Networking is crucial; building relationships can lead to job opportunities.
• Active engagement on platforms like LinkedIn can enhance networking success.
• Personalizing outreach messages increases the likelihood of responses.
• Expectations should be managed; not every outreach will yield results.
• Desperation can lead to unexpected job offers, even after multiple rejections.

Sound bites

"I had to start from ground zero."

"It was door to door sales."

"I had already rejected him."

Chapters

(00:00) Navigating Job Hunts as an International Student

(02:50) The Reality of Job Interviews and Expectations

(05:29) Identifying Job Scams and Misleading Interviews

(08:14) The Challenge of Ghosting in Job Applications

(11:08) Networking: Building Connections in a Competitive Market

(13:54) Desperate Times: Personal Stories of Job Searching Challenges

(23:58) Outro.mp4