How does networking influence the hiring process?

Rising junior at a non-target, starting to network with alumni to hopefully land an internship. My question is, if I make a good enough impression on these guys how do they influence my hiring process? For example, if I talk to a director in fixed income sales and trading, could he only help me get hired in fixed income sales and trading, or could he be influential in other groups as well? I guess I just dont understand how the hiring decisions are actually made. i assume some combination of HR and FO people? any insight would be great. thanks

 

Yes, networking helps regardless of GPA, if the person referring you is high enough (Partner/MD level). Firsthand experience with MBB and MF. The tough part is convincing them you're exceptional.

You will get questioned about your grades in a one-off statement if they are too low, but as long as you perform in the interview, you'll get to compensate that and expel their biases. Have a very good explanation as to compensate for that (health issues, personal issues, etc.......but I was able to overcome this by blah blah).

Also, in some firms, the interviewer may know who referred you and give you a shoo-in. In other firms (like MBB), they won't know and you're on your own. Hope this helps.

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Networking typically gets you the interview and maybe a good word in to the hiring manager.

You pretty much have to prove yourself from there.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Its a little different once you have a few years experience and have developed long term relationships with certain people. Sometimes they will just say come to my company for X position for Y dollars, then you'll counter, you'll shake on it and that will be it.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

HR and hiring managers get tons of resumes. So networking might help in either getting them to affording you an interview opportunity and perhaps helping you stand out in the process (i.e. you won't be just another piece of paper). Generally, people can/will only help you if it doesn't require them to expend social capital. So yes - if you talk to someone who heads FICC sales, then he will probably only help you get a role there. Anything beyond that would be outside of his professional jurisdiction and would require him to call in favours. Unlikely that will happen for a junior unless you are related in some other way.

 

Pretty much. HR doesn't usually have the final say in who gets the job (though their opinion can make a difference); if your contact is the CEO/PM/CIO/MD, then it honestly just depends on how much they think you're the person for the job. I wouldn't go as far as to say it all comes down to whether they like you (they can like you and think you're still a weaker candidate than some other kid they know) but whether they like you will be enough to decide whether you get an interview.

I am NOT in denial!
 

You use it to get in front of the jobs, meet with the higher ups before the interview, put them down as the person that recommended the role to you on the application.

Also the order you do everything is wrong. You're taking too long to get the in person meeting. I do a cold call at 7-8am, no one else is calling them at this time, and if they're in the office, they'll pick up, if not, leave a voicemail and you look like a hard worker. If nothing by the end of the day 8-9, send them an email with your resume. Your goal from the call/ email is to get a meeting asap, put a face to the voice and the resume.

 

Networking pretty much gets your foot in the door, but sealing the deal is up to you.

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Angel Checks provides background screening services for both Individuals and Corporate. We provide Pre – Employment Background Screening, Post Employment Background Screening, Business Screening.

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