Advice Seeking
Hi Wsos, I am a recent graduate from a T30 school. After the graduation I decided to move to my friend’s place in NYC to better networking.and I can’t stay in the city after the end of July so time is really limited. During my days in the city I found it’s extremely hard to ask bankers for a coffee chat in person. Even those people I used to have a call with. I’m genuinely asking if any of you have any advice on networking or just how to meet with professionals. I really want to stay in the city but definitely can’t if I can’t get a job here. Any advice is appreciated!!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable tips to maximize your networking efforts in NYC with limited time:
Leverage Your Existing Contacts: If you've already had calls with bankers, follow up with them. Send a polite email mentioning that you're in NYC for a limited time and would love to grab coffee for 15 minutes. Be specific about your availability and suggest times/dates to make it easier for them to say yes.
Plan a Networking Blitz: Dedicate a week to scheduling as many coffee chats as possible. Aim for 3-4 meetings per day. If someone cancels, use that time to send more emails or research other professionals to reach out to.
Be Strategic in Your Outreach: Focus on alumni from your school or individuals with loose connections to you. Mention your shared background or interests in your emails to make your outreach more personal and compelling.
Make It Convenient for Them: Bankers are busy, so emphasize that you'll be in their area (e.g., "I'll be downtown on [specific date] from 10 am to 3 pm and would love to meet if you have a few minutes"). This reduces the perceived inconvenience of meeting you.
Follow Up Professionally: If someone doesn't respond to your initial email, wait a week and send a polite follow-up. Persistence is key, but always remain respectful.
Utilize LinkedIn and WSO Groups: Join LinkedIn groups or the WSO LinkedIn group to connect with professionals willing to network. Engage in discussions and ask for advice or introductions.
Be Prepared for Last-Minute Cancellations: It's common for bankers to cancel due to their hectic schedules. Always have backup plans, such as reaching out to other professionals or attending networking events.
Dress the Part: When meeting in person, business casual is the way to go. It shows you're serious without being overdressed.
Expand Beyond Coffee Chats: If in-person meetings are tough to secure, consider scheduling phone calls or virtual meetings. These can still leave a strong impression and help you build relationships.
Stay Positive and Persistent: Networking can be challenging, especially in a competitive city like NYC. Keep pushing, and don't let rejections or non-responses discourage you.
Remember, the goal is to build genuine relationships, not just to ask for jobs. Good luck, and make the most of your time in NYC!
Sources: Networking 101 – 8 tips from a “non-target” school student, NYC Networking Day Trip: Thoughts?, Networking in New York City, Graduating without a job offer, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/networking-for-a-return-offer?customgpt=1
It’s very annoying and hard to get a chat with someone when you aren’t already part of their company. I would target alum from your school first, they are usually more open to talking with younger students. Consistency is key, but at the end of the day just realize that the job market is tough af for students& recent grads (WSJ had an article about it). Keep your head up king 👑
Thank you for the kind words! I just feel like it’s completely pointless to come to nyc to network if I can’t meet someone in person
I think getting in-person chats are inherently difficult because you’re asking bankers, who are expected to be extremely responsive to emails/messages, to leave their desks for an extended period of time. Unfortunately off-desk time is just too precious a currency to give prospective candidates :(
I agree with the point made on reaching out to Alum, but I would also recommend making it easier for bankers to say yes to you. A couple things:
> Ask for a 15 mins call. You can always add an option to grab coffee. Getting a good 15 mins call is better than nothing, and if your convo goes well, the banker will drag it for longer.
> Keep the message succinct. Think 4-5 sentences is sufficient imo.
> Follow up (after a week, then after 2 weeks). Imo, bankers don’t actually miss emails that often. If they don’t reply after two follow ups, I would move on.
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