How to turn networking into a real benefitial outcome

Everyone talks about the abstract concept of "Networking," but no one tells you how to execute it precisely. Yes, I attend seminars, take advantage of opportunities to meet new people, and use LinkedIn to send fancy connection notes to people in the finance industry (which is in fact, considerably working) But, aside from guidance and a "contact for the future," how do you bring these ties to fruition?What I mean is, what do you need to do/tell/say to gain anything like a referral, or to bring up the subject of whether the company (particularly smaller ones) will take an intern. "What's the move?" without coming across as awkward or disrespectful. It's like no one mentions how to exactly ask for that and in what time.I'm a first-year student seeking for an internship at a boutique of some sort, whether it's private banking, a fund, wealth management, investment banking, or something else. Any organization that does business, although it appears that the only method to do so is "informally," that is, without going through a conventional company careers site application. I'm from Spain, I am in a target school, especially for finance, which is very benefitial and I can quickly notice it because I get a considerably amount of responses or connections acceptance from people I have never seen that work in high finance. I want an internship this summer, even if it's not payed because I want to get to London, and I know is pretty competitive.

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So, not sure if there is a difference between networking in Europe or the US. But when I was looking for internships, I was pretty direct in my initial email. Obviously, they know why you’re reaching out, it’s a bit of dance you have to do with the other person but I was still pretty direct regardless. Most people (at least in real estate) were receptive to that. You can be direct without coming across as awkward or disrespectful.

When you get people on the phone, try to have a genuine conversation and take interest in what they’re saying. Following up is key. Don’t let people forgot you, don’t be annoying but be persistent. Build trust with your contacts that way when the time comes they’ll go to bat for you or connect with others they know who could help. I got my junior year internship because an alum passed my resume on to someone he knew who was looking. I got my FT offer because I kept in touch with a couple alum at the firm I had spoken with almost a year before. When the time came they told me to apply and basically it was streamlined process for me.

It’s okay to be direct but just don’t be an idiot. Follow up. Be genuine and and try to have a real conversation with someone don’t treat networking as something you just have to do to get a job.

 

You’re not going to network into a BB/EB or even an MM. This isn’t the states, just now how it works in London. This adds a lot of randomness to recruiting but it’s just how it works. For anything else, follow the advice the person above laid out.

 

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