NYC Networking Day Trip: Thoughts?
I'm a sophomore (non-target) currently going through the application/interview process for 2019 summer. I have heard suggestions from a couple of current junior analysts with whom I've spoken that they took a day trip to NYC solely for networking.
I wanted to get some insight from current Analysts/Associates to see if this is something you did yourself, or knew people who did the same, and it paid off in some way. I'm strongly considering going up soon on a Friday to meet over coffee (or anything really) with people I've already spoken with on the phone, to help them put a face to a name and just continue with the networking efforts.
Is this still valuable in your eyes? Coming from a non-target, I know networking is my gateway into the industry, and I want to make sure I do it well, but I also want to find out if it's even feasible, in terms of junior bankers being able to leave for a 15-20 minute coffee chat in the middle of the day (a Friday, probably).
I'd love any up-to-date insight, b/c the last time this was brought up in a thread was 2011. Thanks!
Did it and it def helped me land interviews.
Although if you’re only going for a day you probably need to have contacted 10 bankers (2-3 might meer you) to make it worth it
That was a follow up question I had: I have a list of 18 people I'd reach out to, and I was curious about how many people responded to you/confirmed something with you.
Don't know if I should even be at all worrying about "over-booking" but I have no real idea tbh
18 is a lot. I'd say reach out to your best contacts first, and maybe shoot for meeting with 3-5 people. If you end up hitting it off with someone, coffee can turn into a 45 minute thing and then you have to walk across town to another coffee place. So you need some pretty big gaps between meetings just to avoid being late. The whole day (travelling to NYC, walking, standing, and meeting people) should be pretty exhausting. So pace yourself.
Same boat here, wondering if junior level analysts can just take 15-20 off during work on Fridays or even Saturdays. Also, how long should the wait be between the phone call and the meet up? I have a couple calls this week, so would I be rushing it if I tried to meet up with them in a week or so?
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Give people a week or two heads up and most are more than happy to step out of the office, especially on a nice spring day. There is almost nothing but upside to meeting people in person.
As a non-target myself, I found it valuable enough to do it 3 times. For me, nothing really panned out insofar as a job offer, but it was well worth it just to cement my network and meet some new people. Finance is a small world and half the people I met offered to introduce me to their connections at the place I'll be working FT.
And, even if literally nothing comes of it, just being in NYC talking to bankers really makes goals tangible, which helps when you push through recruiting bull shit.
Interested in doing something like this as well. Any tips on what to talk about/not talk about or solid conversation topics? The focus shouldn't be 100% on me, correct? In regards to asking for their time, "cup of coffee?" is too plain I feel. I've tried to imagine myself in a position that people are asking me for my time and what would make me want to chat with them or even give them the time of day. Haven't been able to think of anything
Good luck!
Do it, I was a non target and without my networking trips I wouldn't have had a chance at the BBs. Getting a chance to meet face to face and them realize they wouldn't mind working with you for all hours of the night is huge. For me, 3 trips resulted in 4 BB superdays. It's all a numbers game in the end.
Absolutely! I am from the west coast and actually spent almost a week in ny staying in an airbnb just doing coffee chats when I was in the 'networking phase'
One of those meetings was the one that actually got me my junior year internship
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