How should I start networking?

So PLEASE don't say "look around the forums." Everyone has their own story/circumstances, etc. So I'm getting an MSF this year, and previously, I was at a boiler room type shop for a few months, thats all the experience I got. Non-target major and heavy non-target school. I don't have many close friends from college in finance, so how do I start networking? What kind of social events should I go to, professional clubs I could get into? Altho I'd love BB, I'd still love to get something FO for boutique/MM IB or ER.

 
  1. Go to career center to point you in the right direction. (Might work)
  2. Cold email alumni from your MSF program (most helpful)
  3. Cold email alumni from your undergrad
Robert Clayton Dean: What is happening? Brill: I blew up the building. Robert Clayton Dean: Why? Brill: Because you made a phone call.
 
Best Response
JohnBrohan:

So PLEASE don't say "look around the forums." Everyone has their own story/circumstances, etc. So I'm getting an MSF this year, and previously, I was at a boiler room type shop for a few months, thats all the experience I got. Non-target major and heavy non-target school. I don't have many close friends from college in finance, so how do I start networking? What kind of social events should I go to, professional clubs I could get into? Altho I'd love BB, I'm more than willing to settle for boutique/MM IB or ER.

You're willing to "settle" for boutique/MM IB? You'd be extremely lucky if you got into one of these places. BB is completely out of the question. Start asking people you know - friends/family - if they know anyone in finance. You might not know anyone in the field, but they might. Even if it's in a different area of finance, contact them and talk to them and tell them what your goals and ambitions are, and ask their advice. Ask how they got where they are. Then ask them if they know anyone you can contact.

Then branch out to your alumni network and do the same thing. Then start pounding pavement and cold calling/emailing banks in your area to set up phone calls and/or coffee/lunch meetings. Ask them the same thing.

Then start branching out geographically to the larger cities around you. Keep track of all this, keep in touch with all your contacts and ping them every couple weeks/months depending on their level of support.

Keep doing this until something sticks. Also make a plan of attack for what you're going to do in the mean time if nothing does.

 

@Khayembii

"You'd be extremely lucky if you got into one of these places."

This.

Just because people are succesful here on breaking into doesn't mean it's that easy. Remember for every person to get an offer there are probably 20-30 people who they had to sift through and reject.

 

Don't try and bring the elephant down on the first try, practice of a few rabbits and pheasants first. what i mean, don't pick the big dog first to contact, contact some other guys to practice not being awkward as fuck, and by the time you meet a big dog, you'll have better market colour and stories to regurgitate.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

There are some MM firms that are more selective than BBs. So, settling for MM is not something you should be considering. Networking will depend on your MSF really because coming from a "heavy non-target", I might be wrong, but don't see too many players in finance from your school. So my advise would try to reach out to alumni at your current MSF school, hopefully that is a semi-target or a more accessible non-target.

You can ask the adcoms to connect you to recent grads from the program who can give you a good idea about the placements and the network. Then networking is all about getting a contact from your current contact. Cold emails are very important part. But once you get on board and talk to a few people, you will have a starting point to work from. But first check in the family obviously.

Emails usually consists a little about mentioning that you are a kid going into or doing this MSF program and a little about your background as in where you worked, undergrad etc. And then you write that you are interested in some field and you would love to talk to him about his experiences. Wait at least a week for a reply. Also, don't go chasing MDs. First look at people who are like two or three years ahead of you. Then talk to people who have the power to hire you. Work your way up the ladder.

Networking depends on the school's alumni really. Some schools have great networks and responsive alumni, others don't. Big sports schools and LACs usually have great and responsive alumni.

 

so I've sent several cold InMail's on LinkedIn, and none of them have gotten replies. Is there a way to elicit replies better (subject line, etc.) or is this one of the pitfalls of the tactic?

 

actually in the last month I have gotten 2 out of 4 cold InMails to reply. The ones who did, we had a little back and forth. Now should I keep in contact with those further before I seek a job to become friends with them (like invite them to coffee, etc.) or wait until I need them?

 

also try using the alumni function of LinkedIn to see ur alumni that worked in Finance field. Same school experience adds more similarities.

 

Quick clarification. Are you getting referred back to HR every time? You should be shooting the MD short 3-4 sentence structure emails shooting for informational interviews.

Email script here: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/cold-emailing-former-employees-for-recru…

If you are networking with linked in, script here: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/laid-off-today-seeking-advice-and-help

Basically, if they are forwarding you on and "can't help" that is either 1) very bad luck that you're catching the wrong MD's because MD's can certainly get you at least an interview if they want or 2) there is something wrong with your pitch/resume that you're going back and forth with.

If you want a full long-winded write up on networking let us know and we'll type something up here.

 

I have not sent my resume with any of my email this far if that is what you're referring to.

I have a very brief (4-5 liner) pitch that I change accordingly. I think I'm not following up properly. Just to give you an idea, I got about 6 responses: 1 informational interview setup (analyst) 1 replied to send him questions via email 1 replied with a 'what would you like to know' - sent her a brief (3 liner) summary of what I wanted to know - hasn't replied yet. However, another senior at the same firm replied with a 'we don't have a structured program here' 2 forwarded me to HR and told me I'd hear from the HR guys.

I'll try and change my initial email to the one you mentioned. That does sound better.

 
OptimusPrimate:
I have not sent my resume with any of my email this far if that is what you're referring to.

I have a very brief (4-5 liner) pitch that I change accordingly. I think I'm not following up properly. Just to give you an idea, I got about 6 responses: 1 informational interview setup (analyst) 1 replied to send him questions via email 1 replied with a 'what would you like to know' - sent her a brief (3 liner) summary of what I wanted to know - hasn't replied yet. However, another senior at the same firm replied with a 'we don't have a structured program here' 2 forwarded me to HR and told me I'd hear from the HR guys.

I'll try and change my initial email to the one you mentioned. That does sound better.

Do not send cold emails until your résumé is revised a few times from comments on the other thread. Ping when it's done.

The last thing you want is to get asked for your résumé and then send a poor one.

 

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