Meet Jahnavi Shah, a 24-year-old product deployment strategist based in San Francisco. After graduating from Cornell University in December 2023, she faced rejection after rejection. Despite applying to over 500 jobs, she couldn’t secure a full-time offer. Holding an F-1 OPT visa, time was running out. Finally, she landed a part-time role at a startup but still felt stuck and uncertain.
A New Approach: From Cold Applications to Strategic Networking
That’s when Jahnavi shifted her approach. Instead of relying on cold applications, she started connecting with people. She built a network on LinkedIn, reached out to professionals for informational interviews, and persisted in nurturing those connections. Her goal: build relationships, not just send résumés.
The Persona Opportunity
One pivotal moment came from a recruiter at Persona, an identity verification startup. She applied and was rejected initially. But she didn’t disappear. She kept in touch and followed up. Months later, a fresh opening emerged in August 2024. Thanks to her continued engagement and rapport with the recruiter, she landed the role.
Why Networking Worked: References and Relationships
Jahnavi didn’t just rely on her résumé. She leaned on three strong references from prior connections at The Washington Post, LinkedIn, and Microsoft. Those relationships weren’t accidental. They were built through persistent and thoughtful engagement. In October 2024, she finally accepted Persona’s full-time offer and made San Francisco her new home.
What Made Her Strategy Click
Here’s what really made the difference:
- Persistence in staying in touch: She followed up consistently rather than fading away after rejection.
- Authentic conversations: Each interaction was genuine, not transactional.
- Leveraging real relationships: Her references came from people who knew her professionally.
- Switching gears from volume to value: She moved from applying to hundreds of jobs to cultivating meaningful conversations.
Advice for Job-Seeking Gen Zers
Jahnavi’s experience illustrates a clear lesson: networking matters, sometimes more than résumés. Career experts agree. For early-career job seekers, networking should take up roughly 60 to 70 percent of your effort. Résumés are still important, but the real openings come through people.
Takeaways
- Shift from applying online to building real connections. Informational interviews and relationship cultivation are your secret weapons.
- Stay engaged even after a rejection. It can open doors later on.
- Gather strong references from people who actually know you. That makes a difference in competitive hiring.
- Impress with your consistency and sincerity. Be proactive, thoughtful, and helpful in every exchange.
Final Thought
In a tough 2025 job market with fewer entry-level openings and stiff competition, Jahnavi’s network-first approach shows what’s possible. She didn’t wait for opportunity to find her. She stayed visible, engaged, and patient—and ultimately secured her place in San Francisco. For Gen Z grads looking to break in, this says: don’t just apply. Connect, follow up, be real, and bring value.
