Guys, I'm trying to network my ass off talking to MD's in Linkedin to see if they could at least see my professional profile a good fit for his/her firm. But I really don't know how much they can do, given that they are just the directors of the firm. Do you think that if they like you, they can manage more or less to get you hired?
Thx!
You'll find many (don't know about most) basically want to help and like being asked (if you're not a jerk about it). Not surprised the COO provided contacts.
Once you get to the stage where you're speaking with folks, I would always be closing for next steps. At the end of the conversation, tell them how appreciative you are for them sharing, taking the time, etc. Let them know you're interested in pursuing opportunities with their firm (they know but you still need to tell them and ask) and ask them something like this, "I'm really interested in X, if you don't mind me asking, if you were me, what would be the best next steps? How would you handle it?
S/he'll tell you what you need to do, who you need to speak with and likely connect you to get you started. If they really like you, they will promote you internally but you still have to wow everyone along the way and the firm will use it's routine hiring process. No shortcuts (unless your dad plays golf with a hiring manager or something like that- then it's more about checking boxes)
One time I saw a bottom-bucket A1 hand my MD a pitch deck with the wrong font on the front page. My MD closed his eyes and put his hands on his temples. I thought oh no, this is it, he has finally lost it from the stress. It was just then that a laser beam shot from his forehead and hit the shitty A1 in the chest, disintegrating him on the spot. My MD is a powerful, powerful man.