Significant Career Lesson From an Associate Consultant at Slalom LLC
Rummel's significant career lesson centers on proactive networking: "reach out to people, connect, build your network," even via cold messaging on LinkedIn, emphasizing that "the answer's always gonna be no if you never ask." This strategy proved highly effective in securing job interviews and advancing their career.
Networking, Job Search, Career Development, Communication, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rummel Zafar
Associate Consultant
Slalom LLC
Northeastern University - 2020
Loyola University Chicago - MBA (2021)
Business Management & Admin
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Build your professional network actively, even by reaching out to strangers on LinkedIn.
2. Don't be afraid to cold message people on LinkedIn or other platforms to make connections.
3. The answer will always be 'no' if you don't ask; be proactive in your job search and networking efforts.
Transcript
What is one lesson you've learned that has proven significant in your career?
The lesson I've learned is definitely to reach out to people, connect, and build your network within your universities. When you graduate, you will have alumni networks, but I'm sure there are already career networks that exist.
Just literally, don't be afraid. I would cold message people on LinkedIn while I was looking for jobs, almost every day, until something stuck or I got an interview. These weren't people that I knew or had connections with.
It's a classic tale: the answer's always going to be no if you never ask, so you might as well try.