Basant Shenouda

I am incredibly proud to announce that I am joining Google’s sales team!!! I am beyond excited, it has been a journey to Google with 10+ applications over the last 5 years (with free career, resume, and networking resources in comments!):

Nov 2018: I first applied to Google as a university graduate. Reached the final interview but got rejected due to experience.

I had an amazing recruitment process and was encouraged to apply again.

Sept 2022: New grad experience at LinkedIn and reapplied to Google. I got one interview

Mar 2024: Now with 3.5 years of niche experience, it was time! I applied and got the job.

What I have learned:

📈 Your career is a ladder, not a straight line. Career planning needs to be long-term. Focus on steps, not destinations

💎 Networking should be the biggest priority in your career LONG-TERM. I am still in touch with my Google recruiter from 5 years ago!

💡Rejection is not the end. It is the beginning of learning towards THE BEST FIT

Philippians 4:11–13 ❤️ God is beyond gracious!

Follow Basant Shenouda to hear about the next step in my career and how I sent only one application for this Google job! #careers #personaldevelopment

After more than 2 years, I finally got to see my parents!! These last few years have been the hardest in my life and career and I am so grateful for this moment..

After finally receiving a visa to see my parents years ago, boarders closed due to the pandemic and I had to isolate by myself in a foreign country

Since then - I have gotten evicted from my apartment, a job postponed, constant visa issues.. I even immigrated to a new country

There were so many paperwork issues until we could meet, the only way was in a third country. I was so relieved in the airport, I cried so much!

Remember to be grateful for the moments you have with your family, you never know. Be present with your loved ones!

Follow me and #basantblast for more career and motivational content #careers #personaldevelopment

Today is the best day of life! I was just granted permanent residency for the first time IN MY LIFE after 26 years of temporary paperwork!!

Throughout my life, I have always relied on my dad's job, university during undergrad, or current job to be able to live abroad in several different countries

Having permanent residency means I can live without being tied to my job + get unemployment benefits and relaunch my business that has been on hiatus due to my visa status

No more rejections because a job cannot sponsor my visa
No more anxiety about losing my job or the unknown
No more constant paperwork for temporary residency

Your residency and visa status affect all aspects of your life and career
The anxiety and fear of being a temporary resident is something millions have to deal with everyday. This isn't just a card, this is a HUGE privilege

I have never been happier or more relieved to see such an incredibly bad picture of me! 😂 Thank you Ireland for having me and being so kind, genuinely can't wait for my citizenship ceremony in a few years!

Follow me and #basantblast for more career and motivational content #careers #personaldevelopment

2015, I moved to Germany for university with one suitcase and a one-way ticket.

Four years ago, I made the best decision of my life.

I struggled in gaining a visa for months and I was a month and half late into my lectures.

I couldn't seem to keep with the coursework I missed while trying to adjust to a new culture, language, and environment.

“But she persevered..“

I graduated!

More importantly, I know I am always making 18 year-old Basant proud.

Since then, I have become more confident in myself and more committed to my values and who I am.

Just look at that 4 year difference in stride!

And of course, there are still difficulties, I am aiming for a level entry job and there have been a lot of challenges without any major results yet.

However, I will keep making my community, family, and my high school self proud.

SO thankful for the growth through adversity.

#basantblast #studentvoices #careers

2 years ago when I was 21, everyone was questioning my presence on LinkedIn, now I have 6 million views. Truth is, I was too scared to start posting.

Every job opportunity, connection, speaking engagement... All because of LinkedIn, it truly changed my life

Before, I believed I would waste people's time
All through my life, people told me I was too quiet, too small, too incapable. The problem was I believed them.

But then I decided to write through my year and a half of job searching, all my rejections until my job at LinkedIn, it built a community of 30k people who found hope in my words

BELIEVE IN YOUR VOICE AND STORY, you are capable of so much impact and do not realize it

Don't underestimate the platform LinkedIn can provide you.
Imagine going into interviews and not needing to introduce yourself.

I am beyond thankful I started
Rise above the fear of showcasing yourself
Trust me, it will change your life.

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You can find a YouTube video on how I got millions of views on LI and how you can too 👇

Follow me and #basantblast for more career and motivational content
#careers #personaldevelopment