How to network and not to get fired?

I’m working FT and want to lateral to IB. I understand I need to network, but I am not sure how to do it as a working professional. As a student, the situation is very clear for me – I was studying, didn't work FT so weren't tied to any employer and could openly say I wanted a job at the given company.

However, the situation gets tricky when you have a few years of work experience and want to lateral. Of course an initial aim of any networking chat is to learn more about a bank and a specific team, but then should I openly express my interest in joining that team? Frankly speaking, I am afraid the person I would be networking with could let know my current employer, or even the team, that I’m trying to lateral and get an offer elsewhere. Eventually, I don’t want to get fired without anything lined up just because someone I networked with couldn’t be discreet for whatever reason. Before you tell me it’s normal for employees to just keep an eye open for new career opportunities, let me tell you that my company has a weird culture (e.g. bashing employees, who decided to resign, in internal communications) and I’m pretty sure that lateralling to IB would be seen a kind of betrayal.

This said, please enlighten me how to network as a working professional and not to get fired. To what extent I should express my interest in moving to the given bank/team assuming I want to do so?

I don't have much experience in networking and I need some advice. Thanks!

 

Unless you’re a tool on networking calls nobody is going to go through the effort of contacting your employer.

Just make sure they aren’t connected to your boss on LinkedIn.

I’m in the same boat as you, and I’m just straight up with people. You have a job, so in general the worse case scenario is that you have to continue showing up to it. Everyone knows why you’re messaging them anyways.

 

LOL. Buddy, sorry to say but no person in IB has the time or care to go and rat you out to your boss or whatever. Just make sure you’re being discreet about it not doing interviews and networking chats in the office and you’ll be fine.

 

Omnis vel et ut non. Autem est ducimus nemo autem occaecati. Dignissimos quia aut sint quibusdam.

Fugit sunt id nisi officia dolorem et. Dolorem quia in amet animi atque quia. Accusantium ut nihil molestias occaecati voluptas.

Quis nihil sequi minima ut. Sit magnam et ex ratione reprehenderit. Nemo nesciunt vel aut quo consequatur. Et quia consequatur eum expedita.

Quae ea architecto laboriosam voluptate. Totam libero provident eaque neque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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...”