I graduated in May 2012, and throughout my junior and senior year I heavily networked with my school's alumni. I ended up getting a job at boutique bank, but am now looking to lateral. Unfortunately, I (stupidly!) didn't really stay in touch with my contacts (the last time I talked to them was just after I started my job in July 2012, thanking them for their help and letting them know where I ended up).
How would you go about reaching back out to them if I see openings at their firm? Should I try to set up another coffee meeting under the guise of "just catching up"? Or should I just go ahead an ask for a referral for the job? I feel a bit awkward not having talked to them in so long, but then asking for their help again. All advice welcome, particularly from those who are on the receiving end of networking efforts.
Thanks
Don't reach back out to them specifically about positions at their firm.
You should try to guise an email and the ensuing grabbing a coffee as a way to catch up about the last two years. Then during the coffee ask about lateralling.
an email could look something like this...
Hi Person,
We spoke a couple years back when I was just starting off on the street. I wanted to thank you again for all your help and guidance you provided to me. BullshitBullshitBullshit. Would you be interested in meeting up for a cup of coffee to catch up?
Best Regards,
Monkey
Just actually write something meaningful in there and maybe not be so blunt, or may be that blunt about the coffee thing.
Last thing you want is to get a reputation as the guy that just uses people. I know a couple guys like that and I brush them off almost every time they want to "catch up" because I know there's a catch.
Do two things -
1) Genuinely try and catch up with these guys - this is a relationship, not a transaction. Get to know them and actually maybe try be friends with a few of them?
2) Give them some value back - during your catch up, find out what they need at that time, and try and give them some value. "Oh, you're a big Knicks fan? I actually have a hookup for tickets if you want to catch a game next week". It's just like any relationship, it can't be one side providing all the value.
Catching up with old contacts (how long is too long?) (Originally Posted: 01/11/2015)
Is 1 year of no contact too long / weird to contact someone again?
No way! One of my new year's resolution was to get in touch with people I haven't spoken with in a while. I've since been talking to and meeting up with a few people I haven't seen in as much as 3 years! Go for it; it's always nice to get in touch with old friends and contacts!
Networking with Old Contact (Originally Posted: 02/09/2010)
How should I go about sending an e-mail to a professional after a few months of no communication? We e-mailed back and forth for a while but now it has turned to a dead calm. I'd like to stay in touch with him so he won't forget who I am, plus he had great advice and interesting stories to share. How/what should I write him? The, "Hey how’s it going," type e-mail doesn’t seem sincere after a few months of no communication.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
I'd think of a relevant question about a current issue that he/his firm specializes in, and ask him. Anything in your courses that he could give you perspective on (at least thats major, like a project in which he might have expertise)? Last year in my fixed income analysis class I had a bond-PM project to do, and I called a guy at a BB bond mutual fund. Well, actually emailed him and requested a call. He talked to me for thirty minutes about how to win the game. That doesn't work for everyone, but this guy was particularly friendly and interested in me, so it worked. Sounds like your guy would be happy to hear from you.
Restarting a very old contact (kind of a unique situation, with big potential upside) (Originally Posted: 06/17/2014)
Sorry in advance for the long story
Anybody have a suggestion for how to go about doing this smoothly? Currently living in China teaching English (think Teach for America in another country with waaaaaay less prestige), been here 3 years, my first year here, a cousin put me in touch with her family friend to go to their house for Easter dinner (not many other Christians in my area), but I'm looking to branch out into finance (which I studied in undergrad), turns out the friend is CEO of a PE firm (and also does Real Estate).
Anyway, it's been 3 years since talking with him, does anyone have any suggestions for how to restart the conversation? I'm thinking from a new email thread:
Title: Cousin of NAME looking for advice
Mr. XYZ
I'm not sure if you remember me, but I'm a cousin of NAME and you were nice enough to have me over for Easter dinner 3 years ago. I'm about to finish up teaching here in CITYNAME and I'm hoping to find a position in China where I can use my study of economics in college. I'm wondering if you have any advice on the job hunt here in China or if you know of any openings? I realize this will be a difficult transition and am willing to go the internship route as well.
I'm happy to connect by phone or to grab coffee somewhere convenient for you.
Thank you
10 points to whoever can help me out here...
One more try to get this going, definitely happy to give out silver bananas in all seriousness though...Thanks!
It's simple. When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose. The worst he can do is say he can't help you.
I'd go through the cousin again to make sure the relationship is strong before referencing it. a lot can happen in 3 years, your cousin could've fucked his wife for all you know.
haha, the cousin is an elderly woman, I think I'm fine in her not fucking over this guy, but I like your thinking
Catching up with old contacts (how long is too long?) (Originally Posted: 01/11/2015)
Is 1 year of no contact too long / weird to contact someone again?
Networking with Old Contact (Originally Posted: 02/09/2010)
How should I go about sending an e-mail to a professional after a few months of no communication? We e-mailed back and forth for a while but now it has turned to a dead calm. I'd like to stay in touch with him so he won't forget who I am, plus he had great advice and interesting stories to share. How/what should I write him? The, "Hey how’s it going," type e-mail doesn’t seem sincere after a few months of no communication.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
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