Student blogs

The simple answer is, Yes. As I am quickly approaching the end of my time as a student and entering a new chapter of starting my career, the word “job-seeking” is becoming increasingly relevant. Finding a job can be stressful (a job in itself, really) especially in a competitive market. I used to think the only way to find one was by spending your days glued to LinkedIn or endlessly scrolling through job boards.

Throughout my studies, I cannot count how many times I have heard the word “networking” and how heavily it has been emphasised as one of the most powerful methods for finding a job. Time and time again I was told that as the job market grows more competitive, your network can truly be a springboard into your career. As graduation gets closer, I have spent more time thinking about what options are out there and what would suit me. But sometimes the right opportunities are not so easy to spot when you are sifting through listings on job platforms alone. So here are some networking tips I have picked up along the way that could genuinely help you too.

Tip 1: Attend career events

There are so many career events happening both at KI and beyond all around the academic year. Even better, usually the ones organized for students are always free. One major career event organized at KO by the Business Committee is called CHASE, where you get to meet different companies and speak to industry professionals. Some of the company’s also organise cool workshop during the day.

Another organisation that organises career events, most of the time at KI, is Synapse, specifically for life science students wanting to enter the industry. They organise multiple events during the academic year with different topics and focus on a field. Outside of KI they are events organised by KTH such as ARMADA, which is one of the largest student career fairs in Sweden. The event is focused more on engineering and technology fields, and may not have lot of companies in the health care or life science industry but its still worth checking out.

For those in the Bioentrepreneurship programme, there is also BEACON, an annual event where alumni and current students come together to mingle and share where their paths have taken them. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed and it feels more of a homecoming than a networking event, which makes it much easier to have genuine conversations. I would strongly encourage attending your own programme’s alumni events for exactly this reason!

Tip 2: Don’t forget to connect with professionals that you meet

This sounds obvious, but it is easy to have a great conversation with someone and then walk away without actually securing that connection. The best moment to ask for someone’s LinkedIn is right there and then at the end of your conversation, while you are both still present and the interaction is fresh. A simple “It was great talking to you, would you mind if I connected with you on LinkedIn?” goes a long way. Most people will say yes without hesitation.

Now, you might be wondering: how do you actually network when 50 other students are all trying to do the same thing? It can feel overwhelming. What I have found works best is to aim to speak to at least two people and approach those conversations with genuine curiosity rather than an agenda. When people sense that you are truly interested in them for example in their work, their background, or their story, they naturally want to engage with you. It helps to remind yourself that the professionals you are approaching are human too, and they can feel just as pressured by the weight of expectations in the room.

If the person you want to connect with was part of a panel discussion or gave a talk, make sure to ask them a question, either during the Q&A or when you approach them afterwards. This can show that you were genuinely paying attention and not just collecting contacts. People remember those who make them think or feel heard, and this small gesture can be the difference between them vaguely recognising your name on LinkedIn later versus actually remembering who you are and wanting to stay in touch.

Tip 3: Made a new connection? Invite them for Fika

I know this might sound out of character or intimidating, but trust me the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, and Swedes especially are rarely ones to turn down a Fika. I have heard multiple alumni mention that their first job came directly through their network. My own practical placement supervisor reminded me that having a valuable network also means maintaining it. The key, however, is not to reach out with an agenda. Do not open with a request for a job or an internship. Instead, be genuinely interested in getting to know them for instance their career journey, current role, what their day-to-day actually looks like. Express your curiosity. Most people are open to a Fika, depending on their schedule, so it is absolutely worth asking. Who does not love a Fika?

Tip 4: Overcome your LinkedIn cringe

This is not necessarily direcly related to networking, but it is a great way to stand out and make your profile interesting. Especially when you make a new connection, they usually always ask for your linkedin. And if you linkedin profile is blank, it may reflect that you are not active in, and they wont get an impression of who you are and your motivation.

Trust me when I say this everyone cringes in the beginning to post something on LinkedIn. But think about it, your trying to connect with a potential employer and your profile has nothing on you. Having your experiences and skills shows is not enough to say what kind of person you are and what is your motivation. It may not always feel natural to do this especially if you may be more introverted, but it takes practise.

Job seeking takes time and you should not expect to get a job instantly through networking. You should think of it as a way to get to know professionals in the indsutry you are interested, and once they know you they can be a helpful to refer you to position or tip you of if they hear about any companies hiring. Networking can feel unnatural at first, and that is completely fine. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it becomes. Stay genuine, and remember that every professional you admire was once exactly where you are now. Good luck!