My Experience of Making an In-Person Drop: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

In-Person Drop Offs

As part of my fellowship activity, I was required to make an in-person drop of my CV and cover letter at a company of my interest. The purpose of this task was to push myself beyond online applications and experience real-world professional communication.

I chose to visit a company that aligned with my interest in legal and corporate work. Before the visit, I prepared thoroughly by customizing my CV and cover letter, researching the organization, and practicing my elevator pitch multiple times to ensure clarity and confidence.

When I arrived at the office, I first interacted with the gatekeeper, explaining my purpose and requesting to meet the HR representative. Initially, I was informed that the HR manager was busy. However, instead of leaving immediately, I politely requested if I could wait or at least leave my documents for consideration. Eventually, I was able to briefly introduce myself and hand over my CV.

The experience taught me several important lessons. First, I realized that professional opportunities often depend on persistence and respectful communication. Second, I learned the importance of confidence in real-life situations where first impressions matter significantly. Finally, I understood that rejection or delay is part of the process, and what matters is how professionally you respond to it.

If I were to do it again, I would prepare an even more personalized pitch for the specific organization and try to establish a clearer connection with the HR team beforehand through email or LinkedIn.

Overall, this experience helped me step outside my comfort zone and improved my understanding of professional networking in a practical setting. It reminded me that growth often happens when we take initiative beyond our usual boundaries.