Update: I've gathered the insight I wanted from the original post. Thank you to everyone who gave their two cents.
Lesson: Network with people by genuinely being interested in them/what they do, there's no shortcut to connections and never undersell yourself.
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Do not offer this to anyone you actually network with. This will not be received well. You can't pay someone off (with your own good for nothing intern salary) and expect that will get you somewhere. Work hard, network honestly, and define your interests and you should do well. It really isn't more complicated then that. I had some college kid network with me who said “I’m looking for a friend on the inside” … that was a huge red flag to me (just the way it was said and his intentions behind that). Conduct yourself in an honest, respectful, and professional manner.
Thank you for your insight! It wasn't so much of paying someone off, it was just meant to be an incentive in addition to genuinely wanting to connect with others but yes, I can see how it may come off the wrong way. Noted
PM me, happy to have a chat. Won't cost you anything lol.
Thank you, I appreciate your willingness to chat & would love to hear from you! I'll PM you soon. (Just a heads up, PM will be sent in 2 days since WSO restricts messages for new users)
Similar to the first comment, instead of offering a portion of your salary or taking a reduced salary look to build relationships with people at places you want to work.
Reach out with an intention of learning about their background, what they do day to day, and what they’re working on. I still use this for cold emails a few years out of school going into grad school. Sometimes people will ask “is this for a job?” and honestly for me in the long term is it (6-12 months +) but even if I really want a job there tomorrow I say no. Look to build a relationship, catch up every few months, some connections will be very helpful and give great advice. Others it will be a dry conversation that goes no where - stay in touch regardless.
So you want to do this first, if they have an internship/job opening mention that in your initial email or on the call - saw x role was available as well, could you tell me more about it. Do your research on them and these companies before the call.
I’ve also straight up cold emailed people at companies I wanted to work (a specific persons email not the XYZ.COM>[email protected] on their website) for seeing if they have a need for an intern during the semester as a grad student. I think this was at times way too aggressive and not the way to do it, but I’ve had other people reply and say they do have a need. This approach is probably more appreciated by brokers who’s job is to get in front of people.
Let me know if you have any questions.
I cold walked into a few firms a few weeks ago. Right past security and asked for the managing partners by name. They all basically told me to fuck off but it was worth it regardless. I think cold emailing is not that aggressive at all.
Love it, go get 'em. I hope this method eventually works for you and it's nice that you found it worth it regardless.
Maybe a little too aggressive tbh, worked back in the day but I called a firm in nyc when I was right next to their office a few years ago to see if they had open roles. They said send your resume in for consideration to the email online/mail it in and when I asked if I could come by to drop it off they highly recommend not doing that. I think today with people so conscious of security it could be a little weird to do that to get attention because you can find anyone email with a quick search.
Thank you so much for your insight-- this does seem like the way to go for sure.
If I got this message on LinkedIn, it would be a straight ignore. But because we’re here: NEVER offer yourself for a discounted price.
It’s one thing to take a pay cut to get a start in CRE because you’re switching careers (I’ve done it). But to imply some willingness to be paid below market just for the opportunity to be someone’s low-cost alternative communicates some deficiency. Like, maybe you don’t think you’d be just as good as another analyst?
Just cold message people through LinkedIn and get them talking about themselves. Ask for advice — people love to feel important.
That's a good point. If I'm being honest, you're right; I do feel at the moment at least, I wouldn't be as good as another analyst but I do see what you mean by how this implies some other sort of red flag deficiency. Thank you for the reminder to not sell myself short-- I appreciate it and will start reaching out to people as you advised.
Why are you willing to debase yourself like this? Have some self respect.
You're absolutely right. Currently in the process of improving the relationship I have with myself.
delete
This chick trying to use WSO to find ways to bang her way into REPE. What a world we live in.
What part of this implies sexual intent? There is such a thing as emotional support (which is what I was referring to) but I guess that's not really apparent in the world you live in. If this was your first train of thought...I hope you find people that make you realize the various forms of support, care and friendships that can exist.
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