Networking Question

Hey guys I am a sophomore, and I am starting my coffee chats for SA2025 since apps are opening up quick for some reason. I just wanted people to check my thought process for the approach I wanted to take.

I already know the industry group I want to target (industrials). I have been reading into this group from primers since the summer, and I know it's what I want to do. Based on that fact, I wanted to network with only the industrial bankers at banks, and my university recruiting team members. This is for banks that don't have a generalist program. For those that do, I am going to gungho it and email anyone possible. 

Is this a good approach? I thought it was since I could write super specific outreach emails to the people and hopefully get a higher response rate. Plus for the professional aspect of calls, I can actually talk to depth a bit about their vertical within industrials. Instead of this should I just talk to everyone possible at these banks? (ignore any grammar in a time crunch rn)

2 Comments
 

Hey there, your approach sounds pretty solid to me! It's great that you've already identified the industry group you're interested in. Here are a few thoughts:

  1. Focusing on industrial bankers at banks and your university recruiting team members is a good start. It shows you're serious about your interest and have done your homework.

  2. For banks with a generalist program, reaching out to a wider range of people can indeed increase your chances of getting noticed.

  3. Writing specific outreach emails is a fantastic idea. It not only shows your genuine interest but also that you've taken the time to understand their work.

  4. Being able to talk in-depth about their vertical within industrials will definitely set you apart. It's not just about quantity of connections, but the quality of your interactions.

  5. However, don't limit yourself too much. While it's great to focus on your area of interest, you never know who might be able to offer valuable insights or opportunities. So, talking to as many people as possible at these banks could also be beneficial.

Remember, networking is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep it up, and don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Good luck!

Sources: Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, Want to get me on the phone? Here's how - a networking overview., Networking Approach

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

Sit modi sed ex delectus. Enim repellat aut error et dolor repudiandae. Distinctio est repellendus consectetur enim temporibus pariatur. Alias quo perferendis alias sequi architecto voluptatem aliquid. Velit est distinctio rerum velit non soluta nulla. Laudantium magni eaque dolores corporis harum qui sequi cum.

Molestiae ex pariatur consequatur accusantium. Error autem dolore consequatur et asperiores. Accusamus ex eaque consequuntur corrupti alias. Perferendis soluta voluptatibus ut quo quos vel. Eos est ullam et eius minus sunt.

Saepe recusandae sed excepturi sint molestiae. Voluptatem qui est a vitae. Sint eius perferendis dolorem quae qui accusamus. Totam eveniet non occaecati et non odio. Sed nisi pariatur eveniet pariatur voluptas accusantium iure.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”