Flying down to NY to network - but can only do it on the weekend

Currently summering at a MM PE. Non-target, and want to make the jump to NY for SA recruit. I’ll be paying out of my own pocket in flying down and networking. I’m not concerned about being able to set up chats - what I am concerned about is the logistics. I can’t exactly just get off work for multiple weekdays to do this. So, the best I can do is fly Friday after work, arrive Saturday morning presumably, and fly back Monday morning on the red-eye for work. Maybe I can push for a Monday - but I would prefer not going down that route.

This would mean that these coffee chats would be on the weekend - how bad is this?

Also - would you suggest targetting analysts? Or VPs?

27 Comments
 

Definitely not ideal. Some people might be in the city, but many MDs and higher levels won't be around. Plus, people don't mind grabbing coffee to get away from the office during a week day, but many really value their weekend time.

You could try to see if some people want to golf or something if you know them well enough. I'd definitely try to be there for at least one weekday though.

If you truly can't stretch the trip to three days, then just do your best on the weekend. You've got nothing to lose.

 

Yeah you're money situation is very understandable. I would just emphasize that if I were in your shoes, I'd really want to go to NYC on a weekday because it will likely make the trip much more worthwhile. You don't want to set up your trip only to find out that many of your contacts are unavailable.

In terms of your question, definitely ask your boss if you can buy him lunch. Shows initiative and gets you solid face time.

 

Nothing but boatloads of money to lose by doing this. There's probably much better ways to organize these trips or organize your outreach remotely before flying out there constantly unless you have something like 10 meetings over 4 days lined up. Otherwise, not sure this is the smartest way to spend your money.

 

Fly out Thursday night instead of Friday. You'll get less crap for missing Friday at work and summer Fridays are slow in NYC, analysts will jump at the chance to walk around.

Array
 

Agreed, but if they're in on the weekends they probably have to be and want to work on their project and get out. Fridays are often a long day of facetime if there's no live deals.

If you'll be there the whole weekend schedule some VPs/whatever analysts are free on Friday, and then anyone else willing to meet you on Saturday is a bonus. Golf as suggested above is a good Saturday idea if you have a specific mentor in mind - also lunch, drinks, anything non-office ish. If you don't know anyone really well stick to coffee chats.

Array
 

Echoing other commenters' advice, definitely do not even suggest a weekend coffee chat. Senior people are generally out of town/with their families/not working on weekends, and junior people are either enjoying their time away from the office or busy working in the office. Either way, they're not going to be amenable to having a coffee chat on a weekend day.

If you really can't set up any meetings on weekdays, I would suggest scheduling after hours phone chats as an alternative. In my experience, most analysts and associates are generally willing to take phone chats from their desks around 7 or 8pm.

 

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