ok to approach multiple alums? How?
Just wondering what's the proper thing to do in this case.
Let's say Goldman Sachs dosnt have a campus resume drop for summer analyst. That means I should send an email and send my resume to alums right?
2. How many of these alums at Goldman should I contact? 1? 2? or all?
3. How about seniority? Should I contact people at the analyst level or very high up (there's some chief economist alum)
Let's say Morgan Stanley DOES have on-campus summer intern resume drop and interviews.
1. Is there any need to contact alums for anything or should I just go directly for resume drop and interviews at school?
2. Is there anything alums can do for me if I dont even get a 1st round interview?
3. My guy instinct tells me that if they do have interviews on campus then alums wont be able to do anything for you. It's all up to you. Correct?
Also, what is the proper way to network with alums? I have a list of their names and email addresses. I want them to look at my resume. Will they do it?
Thanks!
I only starting speaking to alums after graduation. But it was a really good idea since I got to learn a bit about career paths and credentials that are valued etc etc. Your school probably has a database listing alums, their positions, where they work, their contact info, all that good stuff.
I have a couple friends from school (2?) who got some offers straight from speaking to alums. By that I mean that they spoke to some alums, the alums recommended that they come in for interviews, and then they got offers. I guess the proper way to do it is saying "I'm interested in the kind of work you do. How did you get there/What did you study in school/What do you look for in new hires/Whatever other questions you have." They may offer to look at your resume for hiring purposes; if they don't offer, it's generally bad practice to explicitly ask for a job. You can sort of nudge them by saying "I was wondering if you could give me some tips on my resume." Then at least you get it to them and if they like it they can start turning some wheels. I would imagine, however, that alums probably have more input in areas that are less covered by on-campus recruiting, i.e. if you're interested in risk management or asset management or something not IBD/S&T.
One of my friends said it helps in interviews if you can say "I talked to so-and-so at your firm who does this-and-that and he told me blah blah blah" because it shows interest in the position and the firm.
It's good to get some background on the firms and positions you're applying to as well; alums might have some recommendations on things to read.
I guess I'm a bit rah rah rah alums because one of the people I contacted off of the alumni network offered to interview me and subsequently offered me a job. This was after I'd been out of school for about a year and had started working somewhere else.
Oh, also I think alums have some input into the resume screening process. I remember I applied to MBB on campus, and I only received a first round from one of them; coincidentally, I was decent friends with an analyst at the firm that chose to interview me.
By the way, I don't think that networking is the same thing as blasting your resume out to everyone you may know or everyone who has the same alma mater as you. My impression is that you don't want to send your resume to someone until after you've had a phone conversation with them at the very least.
Networking works better as an information gathering process. You can find out what groups are good, what hours are like, what people do after your prospective position, etc etc. If you show interest in the person you're talking with, they may show interest in you and ask for a resume and offer to pass it along.
As to what level of experience you want to target in networking: I've found that analysts and associates are more willing to talk (they're probably less busy), but they don't know as much about whatever industry you're interested in and they probably can't help much with recruiting. They can tell you about lifestyle and work content of course. VPs and Directors seem to be more busy (duh), but they probably know more when you talk to them (duh).
Others please share your insights into networking too.
It's a great idea to network with alums; they can connect you with other people in the bank and teach you a lot about banking at the same time. Even if you're going to drop you resume at school it will be a huge help to have someone inside "go to bat" for you.
I wouldn't suggest going directly to the directors/VP's/MD's until you are polished and know your stuff. Get all your stupid questions out on the analysts and then have them pass you on to the more senior people.
To further continue this discussion: Ppl who go on ibankingoasis generally care about banking (or getting into banking) or else they wouldnt be here. To be honest, I dont think alums are that helpful about providing information. Of course this isnt 100% true but I already know about the business, I just want a job. Again dont take this literally but my #1 priority in contacting them is asking them to help me get a job. I know it dosnt sound good but that's the truth and we all know it.
Given that's the case, how should we spin it?
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