What did you ask people you cold called/cold emailed while building your network?

I cold emailed an executive VP from a CBRE/JLL/HFF/CW type firm. He told me I can call him tomorrow morning. I'm a student and graduate a year from now from a non-target and with a non-finance (computer information systems) degree, what should I ask him?

What did yall ask people you cold emailed/cold called while building your network?

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  1. How and why they chose real estate?
  2. What they like about their particular segment of the industry
  3. What they would suggest to someone in your shoes who has a goal of X (a job in development focused on senior housing, a brokerage role where you get on a good team, etc).
  4. Ask probing questions about relevant topics in your market - For example, if you're looking for a Multifamily Development Role in California, you should bring up Costa Hawkins.
  5. Always, always, always ask for referrals from people you're talking to. If you say that you want to work in MF development and John Doe at CBRE goes, "oh, were working on an equity raise for Streetlights who are based in Dallas." At the end of the call, ask if you could be put in touch with the person from Streetlights.

Also, download and/or purchase the Networking Guide that Wall Street Oasis put together a few years back. It's perfect for where you are at this point.

 

Would you recommend talking to everyone that I can or focus on the people that are doing what I see myself doing, which is development.

The conversation I had with the broker this morning was very underwhelming but also very short (10 min), however we set up another day to talk with more time. I have another call set up with a broker next monday, but not sure how to talk to him about getting into development?

I do have a face-to-face meeting with a very successful developer next week that I'm looking forward to though.

 

Have 30 second pitch for why you called him. Sometimes they’ll ask you to tell them about yourself or ask what you want to know. Make the call about learning and receiving advice rather than getting a job.

The general idea is to get the person talking about themselves, their career, what they like about their job etc. Do your homework on the property type he covers and ask some targeted questions that show you’re at least beginning to think about the field seriously.

After you’ve talked about his career for a while, you’ll want to start asking for advice. Where are the best places for young people to start out in RE? Which groups are particularly active in your xyz property type / region? What are the pros and cons of taking a debt brokerage role vs investment sales? Some of these questions will naturally lead to him potentially referring you to someone else to talk to.

You’ll get better at these the more you do, so set up at least 1-2 every week, although you can likely handle more than that once you get used to them.

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Would you recommend talking to everyone that I can or focus on the people that are doing what I see myself doing, which is development.

The conversation I had with the broker this morning was very underwhelming but also very short (10 min), however we set up another day to talk with more time. I have another call set up with a broker next monday, but not sure how to talk to him about getting into development?

I do have a face-to-face meeting with a very successful developer next week that I'm looking forward to though.

 

If you have absolutely zero interest in working in brokerage, don't call up brokers to network with them. However, you should keep an open mind since brokerage could easily lead to you getting a job with a developer after 1-2 years of experience at one of the firms you listed above.

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"JSmithRE2010" If you have absolutely zero interest in working in brokerage, don't call up brokers to network with them. However, you should keep an open mind since brokerage could easily lead to you getting a job with a developer after 1-2 years of experience at one of the firms you listed above.

I wouldn't mind working at a brokerage as an analyst, just don't want to go into brokering myself. I actually want to start out at a large brokerage as I've read I'd receive better training opposed to boutiques.

 

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