How to network & get yourself a Career Mentor

This is probably one of the most interesting and important subjects that universities failed to include in your curriculum. First I will define a Career Mentor:

A Mentor is a professional in your target field that has accumulated decent experience and is willing to help you bridge the gap between theories you learned in college and the real world applications. He will also do that for free, because he just likes to help you for who you are.

Yes you are basically trying to land an opportunity of being taught real things that can add value to your life without even paying for it.

Most of the successful people had a Mentor (think Ben Graham - Warren Buffet). It is very important to have one. I have recently landed one so I know something about how it goes.

Please note that your Mentor could be your Manager at work, this means you have already landed your dream job + you are getting supported by your superiors, Perfect! If not, then this is for you.

1) Basics:

First of all you have to know what is your target profession and the niche you want to specialize in. Once you have figured that out, it is time to go out in the real world or linkedin, the real world is preferred in this case.

2) Linkedin:

You will use the search tools to find experienced professionals, 5+ years of experience and start cold contacting (5 years because they are still young and can understand your position. where they were not so long ago).

You will be writing brief messages saying: “Hello, I am a recent Graduate from XYZ and I am very interested in learning more about Refining Crack Spreads. I have a passion for Energy Markets and have a couple of questions on how to evaluate the Throuput Production of Philips 66. Can you please help me figure it out?”

This will turn into a longer conversation and this is where you can develop a long lasting relationship, eventually asking them to meet up for a coffee and discussing topics of your interest and who knows, maybe they can help you in your job search.

3) Networking events and seminars/conferences in your region:

Handshaking someone and introducing yourself politely has much more influence on someone’s opinion of you than a message on Linkedin from as a stranger (“who’s this guy”).

Seminars typically focus on a specific topic and therefore are targeting the niche segment you want to specialize in automatically. It will be full of professionals in your target industry that might not have Linkedin or might have simply ignored your cold call (don't worry they won't remember it).

Please always remember to wear a Business suit with a simple tie and shirt, be clean, no fancy watches and nothing flashy, you want to be perceived as Neutral from an appearance standpoint so you can impress with your enthusiasm.

"There is no second chance to make a good first impression", make sure you know already how to introduce yourself properly and your elevator pitch.

As soon as you have introduced yourself, start launching a wave of very smart and impressive open ended questions that will keep talking and talking, make them feel understood with body language. This will lead them to feel good being around you. You can also use what has been discussed during the Seminar as a starting point to get them to start talking, ask them about their opinion of what has been discussed.

At this point, they might give you their business card and tell you: “let’s stay in contact” or if you are lucky: “Hey I think we’re looking for an Analyst why don’t you apply”. If they don’t offer you a job it’s completely ok, the focus here is to have a contact you can send all your questions to and get answers. If they forget to give you their business card and you feel that they appreciate you, feel free to ask them for it.

Please also note that your mentor, might give you a couple of assignments to do for him. Remember this is a 2 way relationship. These are great opportunities for you to show him what you got.

Even if he does not hire you in the future, he might recommend you to hiring managers when they ask him whether he knows anyone decent for XYZ role.

& Even if he does not recommend you, remember the goal was to have someone who can advise you and help you with your questions.

Please remember to never tell them: “Can you be my Mentor”, this kind of relationship develops very naturally and they know they are mentoring you when they are answering your questions, no need to highlight it.

Try to go about it more like a friendship than a student-teacher relationship but always make them feel that you appreciate their help.

Hope to have helped here, feel free to shoot any questions or to add your opinion on any of these points,

 
Best Response

kalefornia

I also found that to be a difficulty in the beginning as it is indeed hard to maintain a conversation when you start networking. Think of conversation with a stranger as a new skill that you are trying to acquire.

I really think it depends on your personality for how to keep it going.

The introduction of yourself/himself, takes about 3 minutes, he ends up telling you where he works and here you should have already been up to the latest news on his company to display your interest in keeping up with the markets. Have an opinion yourself to discuss too but always try to be the one asking questions.

For example: I was reading the other day about your company’s investment in XYZ Solar Panels maker, what do you think makes that company attractive? What do you think of the Solar Industry in general? Also have your opinion on your own questions so that when they finish answering you tell them your point of view.

For me, before approaching them, I would prepare at least 3 topics that I speculate would be of great interest to the person I am approaching. This part should take about 7-10 minutes and therefore you have already been talking to that person for 10-13 minutes which is a lot in a networking event/seminar/conference as he would like to meet other people too (you also should).

I also noticed that if my target displays a great level of self confidence, I can ask him personal questions about his career/life like: have you always been in London? ah you come from Paris, how does the finance industry in Paris differ from London? The government recently launched an initiative to invest in Paris suburbs infrastructure, do you think this project would be a success and can help the suburb economy/reduce unemployment? where do you see France in the next 5 years? See you're showing him again that you're genuinely interested in Business.

To keep a conversation going you have to maintain the other person’s interest in talking to you, and that is only by speculating which subjects would be of his interest and how to ask questions that keep the conversation alive.

 

I was looking for a post like this only yesterday, so thanks for posting.

A year ago I got in touch with a guy who was a portfolio manager in an office local to me who happened to go to my high school (albeit 20 years ago). He helped me get a weeks work experience as they didn't offer an internship, and 6 months later he was promoted to director of the entire office. I recently got back in touch with him about any vacancies and he was in the position to help me get a job (which happens to be on his desk), which I start in the next few weeks.

Given what he's done for me I guess he sees something in me but I was wondering how I now go about asking him for career advice as I go forward, how I might emulate what he's done, and mistakes I might avoid making.

 

This is exactly why I mentioned "because he just likes to help you for who you are."

I guess since he hired you and you're going to be working on his desk, he already expects that he will be mentoring you continuously on a day to day basis to make sure you reach your maximum potential and in return benefit his desk/company.

He knows that you will be asking questions/career advise but avoid asking him for career advice in regards to venturing outside of his company because from your story I understand that the guy should be expecting loyalty in return.

So I guess what you'll go through is: Join his company --> go through the training and development --> start adding value --> add some real value and only after that if you wanna leave the guy wouldn't say "we made him and in return he left us". (if that's what you are referring to by career advise"). I guess you're in for 3-5 years.

Also a good tip when there is something you do not understand. try to figure it out on your own before asking him for clarifications, he will appreciate it that you looked it up and coming to seek confirmation rather than not looking things up and just asking questions expecting quick answers/solutions.

 
da chief:

I know where to look and how to go about making those first initial steps but I'm not sure who to target? A rule of thumb I heard is someone who is in a job/role you could be in 3-5 years but something tells me this is off.

I've had two main mentors and both were senior executives on the boards of major companies. They connected me with interviews, meetings, etc. for years.

They both had roles at my alma mater in undergrad, where we met.

You might be able to contact your undergrad university career center or alumni representative to ask if there is a mentor program. Some schools have one in place.

"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
 
I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

The one person I consider a "mentor" is someone I got in touch with via cold emails, believe it or not. We've become friends over the years, he's a BB MD so I suppose that's a good relationship to have. It's sort of hard to go about "finding" a mentor, just like it's hard to actively "find" a GF...it's something that sort of just happens organically, although you can certainly increase your chances quite a bit by doing some things.

I'd say just continue to network with as many people as possible, go to industry events, be a good conversationalist, be someone that people with more experience than you want to talk to. That's usually a good way to go through life regardless.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

You have to be in the same circles. I can't see any other way...

Mr. Q, how would you suggest someone reach out to you, to be mentored under your tutelage?

Greed is but a word jealous men inflict upon the ambitious.
 
M. L. Crassus:

You have to be in the same circles. I can't see any other way...

Mr. Q, how would you suggest someone reach out to you, to be mentored under your tutelage?

Play golf in the same club as I.
GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."
 

This worked for me.

Find someone in your field who is established. Established, not famous. Emailing the owner of a small firm no one has heard about but has been around for decades is a GREAT idea. He knows people.

Emailing the MD at GS TMT is not. Too busy and probably already gets a ton of emails anyways.

Send LinkedIn message:

"hey I was curious if I can ask you a few questions about your career!"

him: "Hey sure give me a call!" (Hopefully)

Then slowly over time shoot emails back and forth asking questions, eventually getting closer to them. Never ask for anything, if they offer connections take them. But never ask for anything (except advice or their opinion).

You can't be competing with them in any way really as to threaten their business model.

Owner of small firm A might even know other MDs. And since no one bugs him and he likes you. He might just pass on your name to his buddy. Or shit he might even hire you.

 

Why is everyone replying to an old post? Quite irrelevant now, since I decided to rely on Cialdini and Carnegie for advice.

But hey, if you have anything to contribute, sure go ahead! Any advice you have that would work for the zerglings.

GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."
 
lynn_k1:

Just a silly trend because I’m bored in an airport. If you can chose anyone to be your mentor who would you choose? It can be someone you meet or not.

For me it’s Anwar Zakkour vice chairman from JP Morgan, I’m really into tech and m&a so he is an easy choose for me. Meet him once for like 5m seemed like a nice guy.

Marc Andreessen

 

It's implied. Just keep up the relationship. Eventually it will evolve into a friendship more than anything, but a friendship in which he is looking out for you and there to help.

It's kind of like dating. You don't want to ask a girl to be your girlfriend. You tell her to make you a sandwich (i.e. get me a job).

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

Ha, this is gold. Much appreciated. Logic adds up as well since all my relationships were always mutually acknowledged that we were exclusive. Good example. Talk later.

"On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Zerohedge.com
 

I'm not exactly sure what role you are in now or what you aspire to be ultimately but it sounds like brokerage might be the answer to both of those questions.

Regardless, I would recommend you reach out to either a managing partner or EVP and express what you're looking for and ask to be setup with a more senior broker in your office.

If I miscalculated things and you aren't speaking about brokerage let me know here. If you are and have any other questions send me a PM.

Good luck getting where you want to be.

 

A mentor is good to have, I still don't truly have one.

I would say a champion is more important though. Someone who pushes you forward ad makes you known in your organization or industry or network (whatever it may be).

...
 

From my experience as a summer analyst, you only meet with your mentor 2-3 times the whole summer. Don't place too much importance on it. Do choose groups based on interest as well as the people in there. In short I guess do base your decision on people, but not a particular person, especially if your interactions are limited. Maybe other people had different experiences with mentors but that's just my take. Also sometimes they assign you a mentor from a different group.

 

Depends on the mentor's role. If the mentor is the person you spend your day to day with, you should definitely make sure it is someone you like and are comfortable with. Otherwise, it probably shouldn't weigh in enough to influence your group preferences.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Generally for summer internships the mentor is not super important... I might meet with my mentees (is that a word? lack of sleep, sorry) once a month or so in the summer, but it's not a critical factor. Just another way to help them get used to banking/the culture etc.

I would agree that the group itself and people in it should weigh much more heavily on your decision-making process.

If another group seems more interesting, go with that one.

Also keep in mind that during the summer, your group selection is not as important as it is for FT jobs where a bad group could screw you for 2 years.

 

My mentor was naturally cultivated during my first six months in the group. I happened to be staffed with him on multiple deals, I worked hard and paid attention to what he said, thus he continued to help me. When someone feels like they are getting a strong return on their time invested they are much more likely to continue to bring you along. I don't have experience approaching someone and asking for a mentor, but I think one can be naturally gained if you do good work.

 

I certainly wouldn't just ask someone to be my mentor. If you've already secured the job, then I would do what rpc said, and just try to let it happen naturally. Just find a superior that you like, and try to get staffed with him/her as often as possible and prove your worth.

 

Thanks @rpc and @Future_Banker_Hopeful for your replies and sharing your experiences

The reality is I am still learning about the world and IBD (am in undergrad). I have met some industry people, complete strangers, who are in sales, F500, engg, prod development etc, who have impressed me with their clarity in thought and simple and effective fundamentals/principles in life.

To come to the point, I think after some years down the line I would like to bank upon/stay in touch with these people who can guide me much more about DCF, comps, S&T etc (non finance stuff). Does anyone feel that for a mentor-mentee relationship to be more effective they need to have first a personal connect, whether in the same job/field? Or I am thinking way ahead and absurd?

 

Well, a mentor can just be someone that has had more experience in life, and can guide you through the tough decisions and give you advice whenever you need it. You're looking for a mentor from a career aspect, so for you, it would probably be best to find someone who is already in IB. The best way to get the connections for the future is to network. Speak with people over the phone/in person, and tell them your story and let them tell you theirs. If you connect with them, then you can stay in touch and build a more personal relationship. If you don't connect well, then just move on.

 

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Hugo
 

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