Networking Etiquette Question

Hey gents, my first post here. In short, I go to Cornell as an undergrad and as it's winter break I'm just studying up for next semester, got some job shadowing in NYC coming up, and just doing a shit ton of networking. I have a question here on best way about doing this.

So there is some guy that works at a hedge fund in Boston, he's an alum of Cornell's Johnson. I found him through linkedin. I wanted to email him but the hedge funds email format is first name, middle name initial, and last name. (Don't know his middle name so can't send). I don't want to stalk the guy here, but would it be okay if I either A. Called Johnson at Cornell to see if they could pass my contact info along to him? Or B. Call the hedge fund direct and see if they'd transfer me to his direct line? I already sent a linkedin connect along to him. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

8 Comments
 

Just so you know, it's probably not a good idea to list your exact college/school in posts, or what city Mr. Alumni's HF is in. Most posters prefer to use generic terms like target/non-target schools.

As to your question, you really don't need to worry too much about "etiquette" when it comes to networking. As long as you are somewhat socially competent, just keep the end goal of what you want from Mr. Alumni in your head, and use any networking means necessary to accomplish that. This could include or not include 1. Getting Johnson to pass along your contact info 2. Calling the dude up 3. Straight up strolling into his office. See what I'm getting at?

Hope that helps.

 

First of all, look in your alumni directory before you do anything else.

If he's not there, then I'd call the firm and get his email from the assistant/secretary. Don't forget to give a brief background and say you're a Cornell undergrad in order to establish that you're not entirely a random. Mention that you're interested in XYZ (make sure it's relevant to him and not just finance in general).

 

Got it. I like #3. And will use "target" in future then.

"On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Zerohedge.com
 

You can't always stroll into a HF's office. First of all, it's rude if you're a complete random and you're dependent on whether or not the guy is having a good day (in which case he might think you're awesome and ballsy) or a bad day (in which case he's like why the fuck are you interrupting my day). Second, most of the time you physically won't be able to since there's typically front desks and security guards in buildings. If he works in an office that you can literally just walk in and chat to a receptionist, then go for it... but that's probably not likely.

 

Est repudiandae dolores illo autem porro corporis. Sed assumenda delectus hic enim reprehenderit et. Eveniet aut debitis rerum temporibus. Eius deserunt in enim fugit aut doloremque voluptatem accusantium. Optio earum recusandae necessitatibus non.

Ex enim doloremque non. A vel minus sequi non dicta vero. Cupiditate aliquid adipisci consectetur aut. Dolorum hic voluptas quae vel vel voluptas. Dolor cum et sed repudiandae.

Ipsa ut molestias laudantium cum at repudiandae earum quas. Inventore sunt in expedita sed. Sapiente aut et at aut provident. Necessitatibus nostrum molestiae suscipit ab aut quae harum. Nobis sunt dolor quae aut soluta et nostrum. Expedita vel architecto aut esse. Eveniet id et quis harum debitis maxime.

Non voluptatem debitis aut illum quasi nulla corporis. Ea odit suscipit sequi quia. Eum nisi commodi est quidem voluptatem aut ipsa laudantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”