2nd/3rd Follow Up Call - What to Talk About?

Looking to reconnect with some of my best SA chats before I start my internship, just to keep in touch, what am I even supposed to talk about? Potentially looking to FT, but moreso just chatting to keep the relationship open, nothing really transactional.

All calls go like - "hey how are you"; "good"; "nice, im good"; "nice man"; "soo hows your 2nd yr of banking vs 1st" "blah blah " "nice... MEH MEH MEH"

Am I just a bot?

2 Comments
 

To make your follow-up calls more engaging and less robotic, focus on building a genuine connection and keeping the conversation dynamic. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some tips and ideas for your 2nd/3rd follow-up calls:

  1. Personal Updates: Share relevant updates about yourself. For example, mention any new achievements, internships, or projects you’ve been working on. This keeps the conversation fresh and shows progress since your last chat.

  2. Ask About Their Experiences: Dive deeper into their career journey. For instance:

    • "What’s been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on recently?"
    • "How has your perspective on the industry evolved since you started?"
    • "What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting your second year in banking?"
  3. Follow-Up on Previous Conversations: Reference something they mentioned in your earlier chats. For example:

    • "Last time we spoke, you mentioned working on [specific deal/project]. How did that turn out?"
    • "You mentioned [specific advice]. I tried it, and here’s how it went—what do you think?"
  4. Industry Trends: Bring up a recent trend or news in the industry and ask for their thoughts. For example:

    • "I read about [specific market trend or deal]. How do you think that’s impacting the industry?"
    • "What’s your take on [specific topic]?"
  5. Career Advice: If you’re considering FT opportunities, subtly ask for advice without being transactional:

    • "As I prepare for my internship, is there anything you think I should focus on to stand out?"
    • "What skills or qualities do you think are most important for transitioning to FT roles?"
  6. Keep It Conversational: Avoid a rigid Q&A format. Treat it like a casual chat. Listen actively, ask follow-up questions, and let the conversation flow naturally.

  7. Maintain the Relationship: End the call by expressing gratitude and keeping the door open for future interactions:

    • "Thanks for taking the time to chat. I’ll keep you updated on how things go during my internship!"

By focusing on these strategies, you’ll avoid sounding like a "bot" and create meaningful, memorable conversations that strengthen your professional relationships.

Sources: Want to get me on the phone? Here's how - a networking overview., Second/third/fourth Networking Calls, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, Non-target/diversity > MM SA > BB FT > MF PE

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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