Hello guys so I am basically trying to network with some alumni in order to increase my chances of securing some work experience for next summer. My method until now has been to message them introducing myself and saying that I was interested in the field they work at. However, this has not been successful at all. Has anyone got a better method?
| +167 | How to stop feeling like shit for not making it in IB? | 63 | 1h | |
| +121 | If Tik Tok is forced to sell, what banks do you think would be involved in the deal? | 59 | 7h | |
| +85 | Updated LA Banking Scene (2024) | 61 | 3h | |
| +40 | Ranking banks that went under | 24 | 4h | |
| +39 | Burnt Out M&A ASO | 20 | 5h | |
| +36 | Relevance of A-Levels for U.K. London recruiting | 25 | 1h | |
| +33 | A strategy for SA applicants late to the game like myself | 17 | 1h | |
| +27 | Series 79 Help / Tips to Pass The First Attempt | 11 | 2d | |
| +27 | Intern Ettiquette | 4 | 1d | |
| +23 | What are hours like at BBs in London? | 47 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Just make sure you use LinkedIn to find their names, then use that name to find their email addresses; it's not difficult to find the format. And keep it short, they r e a l l y don't seem to care about the fluff; they know what you want.
That's worked really well for me this summer.
Is it better to email instead of messaging them through LinkedIN?
E-mail is 1000x better than LinkedIn mail. Use linkedin as a last resort. As the other people said, get premium (first month is free that's really all you need). It'll let you see some people who might be hidden before.
Also these examples are a little fluffier than what I've been using.
I really just say
hey, my name is xx and i'm a rising xx at xx school. wanted to learn more about your career path and your institution. if you have time i'd love to chat on the phone.
hope to speak soon, xx
That's gotten me a pretty solid response rate which I've turned into some coffee dates
Use the alumni directory instead and ask for informational interviews
I definitely wouldn't use all caps, but that is just me.
When you go to connect with an alumni, include a message on every single one. Personalize it so it's relevant and not just copy and paste. It can be a template based, but every single connection something along the lines of:
"Hi [Alumni Name],
I saw that you had a great scholastic career at [Insert University] and ultimately landed in [position at company]. That's exactly the route that I plan to take, and as an alumni I was curious if there was five minutes we could chat and learn more about the path you took and any advice you wish you would've had a student.
When it typically a good time connect? I imagine you're extremely busy as an [investment banker, etc] so whatever fits with your schedule I can make work.
Looking forward to speaking and have a great day [Alumni Name]."
That kind of connection will probably get a response and a connect, but it'll still be a numbers game. Change the [brackets] to fit the situation.
Also buy Premium, and get your Linkedin up to date and professional. Secondly I would even see if you can the email addresses or phone numbers. Shoot them a text (explaining you're a student kind of like above) or phone call or simply a well crafted email. After enough you'll start to see the success you're looking for.
that email is so awkward... how the fuck are you even able to insinuate that they "had a great scholastic career?" who even says "scholastic career" in real life...
Hello XXX
My name is YYY and I am a [YEAR IN COLLEGE] at [UNIVERSITY] and I am interested in [IB/PE] as a potential career. I saw that you are a fellow [XXX alumni], so I thought I would give this a shot. I was hoping you would be willing to talk about your own history in [IB/PE] and perhaps any opportunities to gain experience at [COMPANY NAME]'s [IB/PE] division next summer.
I'm currently working at a [RELEVANT EXPERIENCE] and want the experience of a [SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT FIRM]. I attached my resume for reference of my past experiences.
Thank you, YYY
It was a rough draft I wrote with a rum and coke in one hand and a cigarette in the other. If you literally take that verbatim and use it, you're a fucking retard.
Thus why I put "Along the lines of".
I actually used this exact template earlier today and three out of ten people have responded thus far and I got a call with an alum and will be having a second call this week with a different alum.
I am currently reaching out too, and what has worked for me is making it nice and short, asking them if they had a minute to answer a few questions about what their day is like at their current position, etc. I also mention which school I'm at and what I'm studying. Hope it helps.
Thanks all for your comments. This has been really useful
.
I try to aim for something more ephemeral and colloquial. The following portrays both my panache and aplomb as a prospective applicant, whilst creating conviviality with the recipient:
"Bruh,
Mothaf#ckuh out here tryna provide for my family n' shit, ya feel? But all these old ass bankers tryna hustle me out of a dank AF finance job.
How 'bout you help a young thug get some skrillah, and we talk about all the things I can do for you.
Chirp at yah boy,
K Swizzle"
You never let me down K Swizzle
Bruh (Fist bump)
If you already found an associate at a firm, would you still network with analysts at the same firm? I thought one recommendation was enough
I'd go straight off that old Bud' advert.
Forget email, just get their direct line, Bud' in your left hand, phone in your right and just go "zaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap'"
;-)
wtfffffffffffff
Let me guess, you're a millennial ? So you probably never saw the original advert !
Search "budweiser wassup commercial" on youtube.
You should probably get a Amex if you can afford one lol, get ready to spend money for coffee and eat outs.
-MikeFromBaruchII Son of a VP at a Boutique "If you cant work transactions why not advisory?" - Quote Leverage Leverage Leverage - Motto
How Exactly Do You Find Alumni On LinkedIn? (Originally Posted: 07/08/2011)
I gave my schools alumni database a try, fail.
I tried LinkedIn and poked around in all the alumni groups, but 99.87% of the people are in some random back office job at small companies.
I go to a COMPLETE non target (30 mins from a top 20 undergrad) and I've yet to find anyone who has worked or is currently working at a BB/MM. The only alumni I've found was through a article posted on my schools facebook page.
I'm scared I won't get any referrals through networking and not sure if I'll be able to land interviews through the online process itself. (Going for S&T/AM/ER)
Here's my resume btw, anyone think this will land interviews?
http://www.razume.com/documents/20726
Your resume is average for an IB applicant. You need to step up your networking game. If you play your cards right, you should be able to land a nice gig.
Good luck.
You don't need access to alumni for referrals. Sometimes, the best referrals come from non-alumni. Good luck.
The best way to find alumni on linkedin is to use the advanced search function. For example make the search criteria your school and say goldman sachs and linkedin will bring up anyone from your school who works at goldman sachs. If you don't have a lot of alumni use keywords and titles as well to find bankers at smaller firms. For example investment banking, m&A, head trader, analyst, etc. Sometimes you can't get the full name of the alumni. In that case go into the profiles of "viewers of profiles also viewed..." and click around until you get your man.
I would say use the search function...but
Nice
why don't you try to add them as a Facebook friend instead of talking to them on LinkedIn? Much more personal. Also, if their pictures are public, you can try to photoshop yourself into some photos with them to give the false perception that you're a long lost acquaintance. They will feel bad for not remembering you once you produce the photo and boom, job city.
You're welcome.
LinkedIn Job search advice message for your Alumni (Originally Posted: 10/06/2010)
Is it better to directly write a linkedIn message to my Alumni school students about job inquiry, or better to have a two step approach. First wait for that person to add you in your network cause you are an alumni student. Second, write an email message about job inquiry. I thought it is better to go by first approach cause no time waisting.
Any suggestion much appreciated.
Be direct and go with the first approach.
You may find this article helpful: http://www.wallstinsiders.com/insights/article/social_media_and_your_jo…
Adding alumns on linkedin (Originally Posted: 08/22/2012)
If you've had some e-mail exchanges and a (phone) informational interview with an alum, should you try to add them on linkedin? It seems like this would be a good way to get them to remember you.
I usually add them 2-3 weeks after meeting them.
Voluptatem minima nihil odio tempore nesciunt illum. Non eligendi deserunt eaque nam nam eum. Laudantium consequuntur est id autem consequatur iure. Quis velit voluptate sunt.
Reprehenderit magnam dolorem rem sed distinctio animi provident. Quae similique sed voluptates magnam non. Officiis cum quia molestiae voluptatem aut. Natus eius debitis ea cupiditate omnis.
Suscipit vitae ad quis nemo. Necessitatibus excepturi corporis ut provident.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Nam maxime minima qui quisquam quia fugiat vel. Incidunt tempore qui qui ea delectus quasi quibusdam. Iusto ipsum ullam possimus repellendus. Delectus veniam saepe id iste commodi voluptatibus.
Eligendi in recusandae molestiae. Quia iste odio autem vitae voluptas qui. Sit sequi mollitia placeat minus dignissimos commodi veniam.
Saepe voluptas consequatur quam quas quasi. Qui adipisci in delectus provident. Cum nostrum doloremque quasi voluptates iure. Rerum modi odit quia non ipsam est. Quas sit sunt quae.