Networking - what to do after you first make contact?

So I've made contact with a few alumni recently, asked them about their career paths and advice on getting into banking, a few even asked for resumes, etc.

So I guess the question is - now what? Do I wait until September and contact them again asking how to get an interview at their firm (for SA)?

Thanks, I'm a little new to this.

 

Start talking to them now, ESPECIALLY the ones who asked for a resume. If they asked to see your resume it means they like you on some level and may hire you: why on earth would you wait for months to get back to them????

Get busy living
 

"Hi, thanks for all of your time these past few weeks/months/whatever. I'd like to meet with you for a cup of coffee/drinks when it's convenient for you. How about those Yankees/Red Sox/Devils/whatever. Have you seen Rush live? blah blah blah"

You're welcome.

Get busy living
 
Best Response
UFOinsider:
"Hi, thanks for all of your time these past few weeks/months/whatever. I'd like to meet with you for a cup of coffee/drinks when it's convenient for you. How about those Yankees/Red Sox/Devils/whatever. Have you seen Rush live? blah blah blah"

You're welcome.

Will a managing director really make the time to meet in person with an undergrad that he's spoken to once for ~20-30 minutes? I could see maybe if we've spoken several times and it's closer to the end of the summer but then my question is what to talk about with him a few more times.

Once you've made the contact it's just your responsibility to make it last--and not sound like a job offer is all you want. Build a genuine relationship and that is the easiest way to get the job offer. Talk about commonalities that you both have (i.e. you both love soccer, etc.) while interspersing your questions. This way they feel like a true mentor and not just a piece of meat...

Yeah I definitely try to make it as genuine as I can and work in a good amount of non-banking discussion but it's kind of tough as some of these dudes are 20+ years older than me.

 

Once you've made the contact it's just your responsibility to make it last--and not sound like a job offer is all you want. Build a genuine relationship and that is the easiest way to get the job offer. Talk about commonalities that you both have (i.e. you both love soccer, etc.) while interspersing your questions. This way they feel like a true mentor and not just a piece of meat...

 

I don't believe in asking for a job from your contacts at this stage because you barely know them. I believe that networking is a long-term effort and should be about building relationships. Maybe if you come across something really interesting you can send it over to them...or if there's an event which both of you have a mutual interest in, you can ask the person if they want to go for it together. Just some examples.

I mean if you think about it, if someone emailed you, had a coffee with you and then asked you to refer them on a job, would you do it? Especially when how they perform would reflect on you since you referred them.

 

Usually it helps if you keep them posted about what you are upto. For example, any analysis of companies that you have done, or maybe you can just ask them for their opinion regarding an important market event. Atleast , this way I was able to avoid the "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" issue.

However, I too have a follow- up related query:

What to do once you have broken into IB & now want to shift to a better firm & you have a senior contact point there?

Regards, Shreyas
 

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