How should a networking phone call/coffee chat conversation go??
Basically how should a networking phone conversation or coffee chat with someone you cold emailed/linkedin connected go? I have had a few in the past and i consider myself to be a fairly outgoing person and good conversationalist but I'm having some trouble on determining what exactly I should be asking/talking about with the banker. Their career? their college? their job? Ask if they have a summer analyst program?
Thanks for the help, I have a few coming up later this week and i'm still feeling a little lost.
Search up on wso, i think there's a guide for this.
Also, google
How to handle networking calls? (Originally Posted: 01/09/2012)
Like others on wso, i understand the importance of networking and helping others. Lately however, I've been losing my patience. I'm getting a lot of phone calls from people whom I've met maybe once or twice at various events. We would exchange business cards, but i would have virtually no contact with them afterwards. They would call me up out of the blue, talk to me as if we're friends and subsequently ask for favors, whether it's helping them with job leads or referring a friend's resume, etc.
How best should I deal with this? Am I overreacting by getting pissed off about this? I have a lot of my own personal shit to deal with, and receiving these phone calls from people I barely know is annoying.
This is new to me too, I'm not swamped with requests but I'd like to follow the conversation.
Dont swap business cards. Seriously. I'm very selective on who I give my cards to. Chances are I don't want to hear from many people, mostly because of your scenario, so don't get involved to begin with. The most common lie I tell in my life is "Seems like I'm fresh out of cards . . ." The people I do exchange cards with I try to develop friendships with so as to not make it awkward when you do some business together. I know all this goes against the grain, but seriously, handing out business cards like candy is overrated.
Yes, this makes sense. I think in general networking is overrated, and one should be more selective about this. I'm not trying to be a jackass, but i'm too concerned about my own work and b-school admissions prospects to care about people who are not my friends or family.
Bump. Would like to hear more people's thoughts on this.
Are these students or other professionals?
honestly they need to be better at netwroking if they jsut see you once and ask for favors, if they are doing that then dont help them period, but if they ask you to go out drink coffee get to you better wait a little bit and then starting asking you for favors then in my opinion they are interested in you other than just using you.
I would try to keep the business card on the down low. As mentioned above
Yeah, this seems right. I gave out way too many business cards in my previous networking events, and I guess these people are desperate and are willing to call up anyone. One guy in particular called me up at work out of the blue when I haven't had ANY contact with him in about a year. He then invites me for coffee and tries to sell his new startup's services. I never responded with a follow-up because my fund is not interested. He then calls again, saying, "Hey, i got laid off at the startup. But I wanted to re-connect and discuss my career goals." Obviously I did not respond.
Sounds like bad networking on their part. When I get a business card from someone I try and keep in touch with them. If I don't and send them a random email out of the blue, I'll invite them for coffee.
^Haha yea man it seems like he was just trying to get something out of you. I personally believe you made the correct choice.
Like what many others have mentioned above, I agree that networking has to be sincere (or at least appear to be that case). Nobody is going to help you if you just show your cards on the table during your first meeting, it is simply poor form and makes the relationship seem one-way and mercenary (as opposed to friendships). What I usually do is to keep in contact for say, 1 month, and after 3-5 emails and phone conversations before I initiate the 'ask'. Only time I'll ask on the first try is when I specifically wrote that I'm looking for an internship and the guy agrees to give me an informational interview i.e. he knows my intentions.
Brady, this is the perfect topic that addresses what's wrong with "networking." Thanks for that.
Come to think of it, I've actually had way too much coffee sit-downs with contacts over these past few months.
Being impressive in networking calls (Originally Posted: 10/13/2017)
Hi all,
I've been connecting with alumni and personal connections who work in a particular group within IB I'm interested in. Most are very responsive and willing to call me and talk to me about their work.
I feel that I have decent knowledge of the group's work (as much as one can learn from the classroom and personal research without ever being in the industry). However, when I speak with my connections, they talk in very simple terms of what they do and I feel I already have a grasp on what they tell me. I'm thankful they're willing to talk to me, but I was wondering if there was a way I could perhaps show them that I am already somewhat knowledgable in the field without coming off as a know-it-all.
In the long-term, I'm hoping that if I can show them I have done my homework and understand most of the basic concepts of the groups work, that our talks can progress to potential opportunities within their firms.
Appreciate all responses. Thanks.
Ask good questions.
Don't go into the call thinking that you're a wealth of knowledge, though. You will sound dumb (because these guys know substantially more than you) and arrogant.
A good call/email/meeting manifests in having a good rapport and learning something you didn't know beforehand.
Networking: Setting up a Call (Originally Posted: 03/20/2012)
Hi WSO monkeys:
I was introduced to a trader via a friend. We met briefly and talked for a bit. Then I sent him a follow-up email asking if we could chat on the phone so I could ask him a few questions regarding his career path. He emailed me back and said, sure give me a call. I then asked him what time would work for him, and he never got back to me on that.
Should I just call him (I have his numbers)? Office or cell number? During what time? Or does that mean he's not interested?
Your advice is highly appreciated!
How long has it been?
I met him last Thursday, then followed up on Friday. Understand everyone is probably still kinda recovering from Pattys... Enlighten me!
I'd wait until at least Thursday night for a reply then just shoot an email saying "Hey I'd just like to follow up and was wondering if you're still free for a call..." etc. Hasn't been that much time yet.
Yeah, I'd wait until Thursday, and then maybe suggest some times to speak later that day or on Friday if he's free. Try not to come across as too pushy - just say you wanted to follow up and look forward to chatting, etc.
he's probably just busy, or the email got lost, or he read it and was checking his calender for a time and then got carried away with something else.. Just wait for a few more days, then email him again. If you already emailed for a time and then call directly, it seems very very desperate lol.
info/networking call (Originally Posted: 10/08/2013)
WSO Networking guide has alot of templates for these EXACT situations my friend. I have it and have used it to get some informational interviews with MD's at boutiques. I am also from a NON target probably more NON target than your school perhaps. Give it a shot you wont regret it :)
lacrosse?
Indeed
Lacrosse. Classic.
How to end off a networking chat? (Originally Posted: 06/04/2015)
So I am speaking to a VP today at a BB and want to know how I can end off the conversation on the phone so that he knows or is willing to keep in touch with me?
For example, I was thinking of asking him "Would it be okay if I reached out to you in the future and grabbed coffee sometime soon" or is it too aggressive to ask for coffee right away? Any thoughts?!
I'll just say something along the lines, "thanks again for taking the time out of your day to speak with me. I hope to keep in touch". And then just follow up a few months later via email/coffee
Or, "I know you're extremely busy, but do you mind if I reach out to you for any questions in the future..."
Thanks guys- both are really solid ways. Cheers
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