Hey,
where do you guys draw the line between networking and brown-nosing? Isn't it obvious when college seniors are trying to reach out to you and ask for an "informational interview" that they are looking for a job?
Thanks in advance!
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I'm also curious, but I approach this in a unique fashion. I've been going through some of my contacts trying to explore the finance field and learn about the culture of each company. I was genuinely looking for insight on day to day life of the person and the type of work they do. Many people offered to forward my resume, but I declined or deferred it saying I wanted to explore some more.
Now that I've finally decided the field I want to try to recruit for FT I'm doubling back to everyone who offered. Anyway to get to the question of your post (albeit I am a 4th year), I think everyone knows the ultimate aim of a college student is to get references with the recruitment process. I treat every networking whether it be over the phone or drinks as an interview. Someone once told me every meeting you have is a vetting process, an airport test over and over. If the person likes you, they'll offer the help otherwise if you have to ask odds are you're brown-nosing.
As someone on the other end of those e-mails; it's not lost on me what the person is really looking for. As someone who sent dozens of those e-mails when I was first out of UG I empathize - so I try to do what I can when I can help the person. One thing I would say is that firms are still asking more of a smaller workforce and people are busy- so getting straight to the point is important.
A perfect e-mail from an alum asking for my help would be "Hi my name is Generic student name and I graduated from this University and want to work at this BB firm - I see you work there and want to see if we could talk and see if you know of any opportunities and can help me get a foot in the door"
My response "Happy to help - send your resume, just promise not to send me that God-awful thank you form letter you downloaded from your career center website"
I think it's all about the mindset, if the person you're networking with is responding to you, they're open to helping you so don't be intimidated or feel like you're bothering them. Be respectful but talk to them like you would anyone else; I have a lot more respect for someone who says bluntly what they want instead of dancing around the issue.
My two cents; initiate relationships realizing that 1) the individual you're asking for help very likely was in a similar position at one point or another, 2) If they come across as curt don't let that wreck your confidence, they're just busy and 3) Just be honest about what you're trying to accomplish - the worst thing that can happen is that they say 'no' and you stop wasting your time and move on to someone who will help you.
Thanks guys - that definitely helps me think about networking from a different perspective!
It's just like dating brah
You gotta play hard to get, you're just shopping around
You are the prize.
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