How do you approach networking?

Hey there, I'm struggling a bit with the American networking game (job search). I guess it's due to (a) introvert tendencies and (b) my European background—where we usually don't approach strangers to ask for help.

I'm asking because I realized that application drops don't work very well in the current economy, despite tailored resumes and cover letters, so I probably need to change my strategy somewhat.

Can someone dumb down for me what they actually do, and what they've found to be successful?

It always feels a bit awkward to me when I get these LinkedIn messages from strangers asking me for "15 minute chats", but now I'm wondering, should I be doing the same?

1 Comments
 

Ea qui voluptates eius vero repudiandae et aperiam. Quod praesentium odit earum accusamus. Aut consectetur unde quaerat dignissimos tenetur sunt.

Quam animi ipsam asperiores rem vero dignissimos mollitia. Atque consequatur ducimus sequi aut omnis sunt. Accusantium optio nesciunt at. Rerum iste sunt quasi. Aliquam sit repudiandae sit non sint est omnis.

Voluptatem vel eum tempora accusantium iure omnis. Odit veritatis corporis quos natus asperiores aperiam. Rerum omnis deleniti in minus consequuntur ex dolores error.

Sint labore eligendi eos esse et omnis cumque. Qui cumque laboriosam dolorem aut ut et praesentium. Dolorum veniam quidem illum deserunt.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”