Networking w/Older Bankers
As a 22 year old Analyst it feels very awkward trying to network with senior members of the banking community (i.e., people often older than my parents). Does anybody have any advice on approaching new networking contacts who are much older than you? Here are my ideas:
Invite them for drinks at a specific time on the weekend to talk about "career advice". Maybe at like an alumni club.
Ask them to grab lunch with you if they work nearby, also to talk about "career advice."
Is it really a simple as this or am I missing something?
face time is very important for old people. So i guess it work, but i don't know about the drinking part.
Try networking with alums
Does your group not ever go out for coffee or breakfast? MD's like coffee. Just ask the MD to grab coffee and chat. Build a rapport. I'm younger than you are and I find it awkward to just network right off the bat
"Hi my name is X I am in Y group and I want Z with my career. Please help me!" That's a bad first conversation. Start with coffee.
Coffee instead of drinks? Then when is the best time of the week to invite senior bankers out to coffee? During the weekends or during the week nights? It's hard to predict when you'll be free as an Analyst so it would have to be later during the weekdays of that is the best time.
I will be networking with alums who do NOT work at my firm, if that changes anything.
Just email them to set up an appointment...
If they're closeby it shouldn't take more then 15-30 minutes. I find it hard to believe that you can't get away for half an hour. And most seniors don't work weekends, fyi.
Networking with MD's at other firms is going to be tough. As an analyst, networking with MD's in general is tough. I don't think you should be running around. Do you hate your job or somethnig? At this point you're better off networking internally unless you work at some small bank with a small web of former employees. And then you can't really complain.
Why don't you kick ass at your job and get awesome reviews? Then your entire world opens up, provided that your staffer and group seniors are not absolute douchebags.
Solidarity,
I work at a very small boutique with bad exit ops and low hours (I hate both aspects). I love what I do and the people who work there but it isn't nearly the challenge out of college I was looking for.
How do I get out early? Networking with senior bankers at OTHER places (preferably BBs). How do I do that? By inviting them to get drinks with me at alumni clubs during the weekends or coffee during work days. Is this about it theory-wise or is there anything else I should be aware of before actually plunging myself into the steep learning curve of networking with people older than my parents?
do you honestly want to network with the sr guys in your office? we try to avoid those guaranteed awkward situations. your work should speak for itself. i see limited upside.
or do you mean with sr guys at other banks... for lateral purposes
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