Networking dilemma - Good response rate

I've been networking my ass off recently and fortunately have been getting a good response rate. The unfortunate part is that many times the other person gives me a time at which it's not possible for me to have a call with him/her. I work pretty long hours so even had to reschedule a couple of times with some people.

So what do I do when the guy I'm cold-emailing asks me to call him at 9:30 am? What would be the best way to reschedule? 'Cause lets face it, these people are reasonably high up and they're doing me a huge favor as it is. Would highly prefer not to burn these bridges even before I build them.

Thoughts?

 

You are depending on these people, so you will HAVE to find a way to accomodate their busy schedules. Find a nice, quiet location to do the call & have your alibi ready in case it's needed.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

I don't mean to harp over such a relatively small issue, but thing is, my office is quite small so there's no place where I can take a private call. I guess I'll have to get outta there and think up some excuse for the same. Slightly worried, since I can do that only so many times.

Nevertheless, thanks for your suggestions, all. Hope someone will let me know if there's a better solution.

Move along, nothing to see here.
 

Consider doing the calls first thing in the morning and just showing up late to the office? It isn't completely unreasonable to show up at 10:00am some days. For example, early morning doctor's appointments, delivery guy is showing up between 9 - 10 and you need to be at home to sign for the package, bathroom leak and you needed to stick around while maintenance/plumber looked at the problem, etc.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
CompBanker:

Consider doing the calls first thing in the morning and just showing up late to the office? It isn't completely unreasonable to show up at 10:00am some days. For example, early morning doctor's appointments, delivery guy is showing up between 9 - 10 and you need to be at home to sign for the package, bathroom leak and you needed to stick around while maintenance/plumber looked at the problem, etc.

Thanks! That makes sense. I'll keep this in mind.
Anihilist:

What about going to grab coffee?

Little bit unfeasible since my associate always goes with me for coffee, but I'll see if I can give it a shot. Thanks!
tropos:

If anyone asks, say you're trying to buy a new apartment and your broker calls you at crazy times.

I wish I was getting paid enough for that to be a feasible excuse :(

Will try to think of some similar stuff, though. I'm realizing now that I'm a noob at dreaming up good excuses.

Move along, nothing to see here.
 

I'm mostly shocked at the idea that you think you need to come up with an excuse to be out of the office for 15-20 minutes. Are people at your office really so nosy that they're going to ask where you were if you step out for 15 minutes??

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
CAinPE:
Will try to think of some similar stuff, though. I'm realizing now that I'm a noob at dreaming up good excuses.
This was stuff that actually happened to me that caused me to come to the office late in the last year or so. I'm also bad at excuses.
CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

What about going to grab coffee? During a normal day, I usually go out for a coffee in the afternoon or even mid morning, so I'd think that could be a prime excuse for leaving for 15 to 20 minutes.If you're working a lot of hours as you indicated, it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to get a coffee during the day.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 

Turn the tables... Go for morning/afternoon coffee and say someone younger was looking to network with YOU and you are just trying to help them out.

 

@NorthSider Totally agree with you. This isn't a day care center, it is your place of work. If you need to go do something for 10 minutes, it should not be a problem. I really think you are being paranoid or just work in a shitty place if it truly is the case. Don't you have lunch that you can schedule these? Please don't tell me they chain you to the desk for that too and you have no ability to go out and grab something.

Just show up later than usual, and say you were waiting for the Super to check something in the apartment. Pipes, windows, meters, or any other random thing you might have, even a frickin model number of a fridge or some shit.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
Best Response
NorthSider:

I'm honestly still lost at the idea that you would have to defend being out of the office for 15 minutes. Between a couple coffee runs, lunch, attending to anything personal on the phone and taking a short walk during the day, I'm easily in and out 6-7 times. I can't even imagine coming back and have someone ask "where were you?" unless I was shirking responsibilities or leaving during crunch time.

You've seriously never heard of a dickhead associate? Not everyone is lucky enough to have normal superiors. He'll put the question very casually, but I'm damn well expected to answer. Yes, that's shitty and it sucks, but that's the definition of life. There are times when I can say I had some personal work and leave it at that, other times I'd better answer. I've learned to adjust when the big picture is worth the shit I have to take for it.

yeahright:

@NorthSider

Just show up later than usual, and say you were waiting for the Super to check something in the apartment. Pipes, windows, meters, or any other random thing you might have, even a frickin model number of a fridge or some shit.

Ya, got that from CB's comment. Will keep this stuff in mind, thanks :)

Move along, nothing to see here.
 
CAinPE:

You've seriously never heard of a dickhead associate? Not everyone is lucky enough to have normal superiors. He'll put the question very casually, but I'm damn well expected to answer. Yes, that's shitty and it sucks, but that's the definition of life. There are times when I can say I had some personal work and leave it at that, other times I'd better answer. I've learned to adjust when the big picture is worth the shit I have to take for it.

No, I've definitely had my fair share of dickhead Associates. But never has that involved them auditing my every move. My advice to you is to get out of there... fast.

Also, for the most part, being convincing has a lot more to do with confidence and levity than convincing stories.

Next time your Associate asks you where you were, say something sarcastic that highlights the stupidity of the question. When my dad used to ask questions like that to me in high school, I would respond in jest with something like, "Oh just planning my getaway car for the bank robbery I'm planning next week." A brief laugh and for quite a while, he would stop asking questions like that.

It's absurd to have to feel like you are being watched everywhere you go. That's not a dickhead Associate, that's some Big Brother insanity.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

It sounds like they are a bit too nosy. I'll give you a list that should work and are pretty good reasons to get away. Most were previously mentioned by others, but its good to have a rundown to rotate things out. 1) Going to the bank branch. 2) Going to the pharmacy for a prescription. 3) Taking a call outside from a doctors office. Your test results are back. 4) Any real estate transaction. 5) Planning a personal event for other people. Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, Bachelor Parties, etc.

I am pretty sure the strength of these are in the details, but you'll sort that out. They should meet the threshold of private conversations or errands. If your associate insists on follow up response, simply say "I didn't want to disturb the whole office with xyz personal stuff."

Good Luck.

PE is the new black.
 

Why not just ask them for a different time? Are you sure it will burn bridges? I've been networking nonstop for the past two months and I often have to ask to reschedule the initial time they propose. I usually just say something like "9:30 am is pretty tight for me, would you have any time after 6 pm?" These guys don't care from what I've seen (note: as a caveat I am not contacting people in finance, so I have no idea if there are cultural differences)

 

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Move along, nothing to see here.
 

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