I got an offer, heres how you can too! (MM NYC)

3 years ago, I was a college dropout selling paper in a small midwestern town. Now, as an online student, I have landed a role in NYC

Here is my path

2019 - drop out of college - get my first “business” job selling paper (that's right, like the office)

2020 - I realize I love business go back to school (this time online) for finance --> my goal is to make it to NY

2021 - my co gets bought out - I'm in my second year of school - new co sees what I'm good at offers me a full-time corp finance role

2022 - I do well in fin role, promoted, direct report to CFO - I convince my co to move me to the east coast office - 6m later, I receive FTO in IB

(Future) summer 2023 - graduate - start new job

Here is what I learned from it:

1.) You’re story is more important than your school.

Think about telling your story thematically, not chronologically. You essentially want to show that it's your “destiny” to work in finance

In my story, I share that my mentor got my first job, that I was offered a FT position as a sophomore, promoted, and moved to the east coast to direct report to the CFO. At the end of the call, I mentioned I was taking 18 credit hours (summer term) and studying for the CFA.

My story showed that I was hard-working, had good work relationships, and was able to produce - it gave me some credibility. In the end, people were more interested in how I did so much more than where I went to school.

2.) Use the right tools.

This is more than just networking. You're trying to sell yourself, and you need to use the right tools

A.) CRM: 

This is how you build a network AT SCALE.

Tools like Hubspot (free) are specifically designed for what you're trying to do. Take notes on calls, track when emails are opened, and automatically import email correspondence to have everything in one place to plan your next contact

B.) AUTOMATION: 

This is a numbers game, cast a wide net by using automation

I used a tool called Waalaxy. Waalaxy could pull profiles from LinkedIn and send out invitation requests and follow-up messages automatically. I sent out hundreds of messages a week, which freed me up for more calls.

I'd talk to anyone who worked somewhere I wanted to. Some of the best resources and contacts I was given were from these folks

It doesn't matter how but find ways to automate your cold outreach and talk to more people (similar tools exist for email)

3.) It only takes one yes.

I sent hundreds of messages, had many calls, and received several referrals. From all that, there was only one co where I had a live interviews.

But that's all it took.

You just need one person to say yes, so keep pushing