Looking for a job? Try standing on Liverpool Street Station

Would you ever dare to stand at one of the busiest train stations in your city holding a sign that says “hire me”?

Yeah, me neither. I’d probably be glued to LinkedIn, refreshing job listings and hoping the algorithm shows me mercy. The thought of all those curious stares? Nope, not for me.

But for fresh graduate Disha Sheth, this bold move was all part of her job hunting master plan — and her chosen stage? None other than Liverpool Street Station, the UK’s busiest railway hub.

Over 118 million people pass through Liverpool Street Station each year — that’s around 323,287 potential recruiters and curious commuters a day. Even better, it’s surrounded by offices.

It might sound wild, but this was a job-hunting move with real strategy behind it.

Sheth at Liverpool Street Station to expand her job hunting process. Source: Disha Sheth

Taking the unconventional job hunting route

It’s a tough time to be a fresh graduate in the UK. Even computer science grads — supposedly in high demand — are struggling to land their first roles. So imagine the uphill climb for marketing students. 

Sheth knows that story all too well.

She holds an MSc in Marketing from the London School of Economics and Political Science, ranked #18 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Marketing. But despite coming from a top university, job hunting in the UK is no easy feat.

It’s harder still if you’re an international graduate.

“The job market isn’t doing so great, and there are so many people on platforms like LinkedIn that it’s hard to differentiate yourself from others,” Sheth shares. “It’s simple to apply online; it’s just a click of a button. But the downside is that you’ll be competing with endless applications.” 

Fair point — but instead of just sighing over the situation, she decided to do something a little different.

Sheth has been consistently ranked in the top 25% in university and the top 2% in school. Source: Disha Sheth

“I was heading back from a friend’s place, sitting on the Elizabeth Line at Canary Wharf,” she recalls. “It was around 8:30 a.m., and everyone was in suits, off to work. That’s when it hit me — what if I just put myself out there, right where they all are?”

Boom — the idea was born. She’d stand outside a train station and pitch herself to the world.

Sure, it’s not the most traditional job hunting tactic for this generation. But hey, back in the day, our parents used to walk into companies and ask for a job.

For Sheth, this felt like the modern version of that — but with a bit more signage.

“I knew that doing it comes with restrictions,” she shares. “You can’t just walk around the station, as that wouldn’t be the best way to brand yourself. There are also parts of the station where you can’t stand around, so I did my research and planned it all out.”

So she did her homework: Which station? What nearby offices? What time and for how long?

The answer: Liverpool Street Station, on a Tuesday, from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

That’s when foot traffic by corporate-looking folks peaked — which means maximum visibility for her LSE degree.

Sheth is currently a social media vlogger and student ambassador at LSE. She was selected from over 300 applicants to lead online events and webinars, sharing insights about LSE with prospective students. Source: Disha Sheth

Hope, hustle, and a sprinkle of courage

Standing in public with a sign asking for a job takes guts. Add in the London summer heat, and you’ve got a physical and mental endurance challenge.

“A lot of people asked me about the mental side of it, but honestly, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds,” says Sheth. “My goal was to get a job. If I had to spend 12 hours standing there, but it meant real connections, then why not?”

She set out for total detachment. “If it works, great. If not, it’s still an experience,” she says. “I wasn’t banking on it to change my life — I just knew I had to try.”

LSE wasn’t the only university she received offers from for a Master’s degree; the National University of Singapore, Università Bocconi, and the University of Rochester have offered her places in their Master’s in Marketing programmes. Source: Disha Sheth

She didn’t get hired on the spot, but she did have several memorable conversations.

“I met other grads going through the same struggle. That helped, knowing I wasn’t alone,” she says. “Oh, and someone gave me a Wingstop coupon, which I’m totally saving for my ‘first-job’ celebration meal.”

Another computer science student on a post-study work visa told her they’d applied to over 1,000 jobs in 10 months. Still no luck.

So while the summer heat was brutal, Sheth found it all worth it.

Because standing there, sign in hand, was her way of saying, “Hey, I’m here. I’m ready. And I’ve got something to offer.”

And if you happened to miss her at Liverpool Street Station, here’s what she’d want you to know.

Sheth completed a BA in Psychology and Entrepreneurship from Ashoka University. Source: Disha Sheth

Dear hiring manager:

To whom it may concern,

Hi, my name is Disha Sheth.

I completed a BA in Psychology and Entrepreneurship at Ashoka University, and I’m graduating from the London School of Economics with an MSc in Marketing.

I’m seeking entry-level roles in marketing or human resources, ideally in an environment where I can learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

I thrive in environments where I can ask questions, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a team pushing things forward.

My top skills? Writing content, analysing consumer behaviour, and managing social media. I also love turning complex topics into digestible, engaging content.

I’m open to learning new areas of marketing too — after all, the world’s my oyster.