What's going on folks?
I had a phone call a month back with a C-Suite leader in a development firm that I'd really love to work at. He's mentioned the potential need for a development analyst in the near future and I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions on ways I could maintain contact with him without pestering, as well as anything I can do that can make myself standout, like offering free consulting or market write ups.
Anything helps.
PDG
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I am copying and pasting a comment to similar question someone asked about what to do on an informational call that had schedule with a CEO of an REPE firm. You have had the call, but I think the general theme of advice still applies. To your question about 'offering free consulting or market write ups'. I would not offer this, but if you do write up some reports or thought pieces or analyses, etc. send it to them. Do not make it proprietary or geared to their firm, plus it should something you can send to anyone! It's a good move, but use as general strategy, then it sends the subtle message.... "I could do this for you OR your competitor"
PASTE: Okay, good job on the cold emailing! Shocked how few people do this (as a note, I almost always say yes to request when I get via email/linkedin if I can quickly see it's not spam). A few points to consider....
Get this "non-target" stuff out of your vocabulary, why this matters is beyond me. The target/non-target stuff is talked about 1000x more WSO than most firm's hiring (I wrote a post on this a while back, call a pet peeve). Do not act like you are 'less than' anyone, you got your foot in the door, that's all that matters.
I would classify this as an 'informational interview', not a 'first-round' interview or anything else part of a recruiting process. It is as much about them marketing the firm as it is you trying to market yourself. In fact, I really wouldn't even try and ask about jobs/positions, etc. They know you are looking for jobs, you do not need to make it focus of the call. That said, if they have positions open on the website, you can ask about those. You can also ask about how they recruit for FT and interns, let them guide that discussion.
Use this as a 'get to know you' opportunity, but really, focus on them. You said it is with the CEO, so I'm guessing this person likes to mentor students, let them do their thing. Listen and take notes. Have questions about the firm, industry, and career paths. I'd personally avoid the resume selling points on your side, GPA/major/school, this person probably won't care. They want to help, let them help you as they best do.
Establish some means of future follow-up or communications. Not sure the best context, but you need to just sense that out. Send a thank you/follow up shortly thereafter. Then do any thing you said you would do. Hint, if they recommend you go read something, look at something, join a group, or whatever, do it (if you think its worth it). Then you can 'report back' on what you found, etc.
I would strongly avoid asking for 'referrals' or 'can you introduce me to people' on this first call. If you can go back and forth with this person by email, then you can can drop hints like that later. Seriously, LESS is MORE... they know you want a job/career in the industry. They were once in your shoes, you really do not need to sell this.
Back to the follow-up, if you ask about major issues/trends in their firm/industry (and you should), take notes. If you find an article/report/news that relates, share it with them. It's a small token, but people respect it. The key is to be genuine, do it from true mutual interest, not to suck up.
Consistency and persistence counts, keep emailing, and maybe ask for another call in a few months. Give personal updates, like how your senior year is going, interviews you have, etc. People enjoy mentoring, let them know it is helping.
Good luck, and keep emailing like you are, people will say yes. In fact, re-email those that never respond. That second email may cause a twinge of guilt and really has the much higher chance of getting a response (this is personally true for me). What's the worst, they ignore it?
This is great! Thank you very much, I really like the "for you, or a competitor" part.
Thanks for the note, to be clear the "for you, or a competitor" part is something implied, you never say that out loud!
Great response, a follow up to the post not to hijack the thread. I'm in retail leasing/investment sales (2 years working out of undergrad) and hit it off with a developer I cold called.
They are high up at the firm (2nd or 3rd in command) and were helpful on the call/took time to explain different things to me (spoke for at least 15 minutes about their career path, etc). I said I was interested in what they do and asked to get coffee, they agreed.
Any advice on how to approach this at coffee and how do I go about a potential job there if 1) they don't have anything on their site right now and 2) have not mentioned anything?
In your situation, you probably need to find ways to drop the subtle hint that you want to transition to development, but I wouldn't outrightly ask for a job. You can ask what it takes to get hired as a development associate at their firm and others, the open advice discussion is the best use.
If you can find out if this firm has any open positions, then you can ask about whether you should apply or would be a good fit, etc. Regardless, making a long-term relationship is the goal. Persistence in follow up is very much key, but since you are in the industry, this should be more mutual exchange of info/value.
If you are in retail leasing/IS, then give your contact some 'inside' briefings about what is going on. Obviously, nothing confidential or harming to any client or your firm, just some inside commentary on what you and your firm are working on. This sharing of intel is part of the game, and leads to the goal of them seeing you as a leader in the field.
If you're a NAIOP member, knock out one of the certificates asap. Report back to him when it's done.
Any one that you’d specifically recommend?
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