Networking from a non-target with no alumni network

Going into my senior year and with recruiting season only a couple of months away it's time for me to really figure out what I'm doing in regards to networking to get an offer.

My background: Finishing junior year at a non-target local state university. Finance major and economics minor with a 3.93 GPA. I was able to get an FP&A internship this summer when a family friend handed the finance director my resume.

My problem/what I want to do: After graduating I'd really like to relocate to the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, preferably for an FP&A role, but recently risk has peaked my interest. I'm just not sure how I should go about finding people to network with when I have no alumni down there, and it's not like an IB where I can easily find analysts in a small number of companies to email.

If there's anyone who's been in a similar situation, or has any advice to offer I'd appreciate it.

 

You should definitely try these avenues:

1) LinkedIn and Indeed. Out of all of the job posting aggregates out there, I think these two are enough to cover the universe. LinkedIn in particular can be more helpful, with the Premium account you can send InMail directly to HR and recruiters. I would definitely sign up and pay for the upgraded account. Be sure to spend time making your profile look sharp and with a professional photo. Set a target to send 5/10 apps a day, and keep checking daily for new job postings. Set up an excel spreadsheet to track with companies and positions you have already applied for and at what date you applied.

2) Reaching out directly to recruiters. This is a more shotgun approach, but with pounding the pavement and looking for a new job, it's sometimes all about the numbers. Google for recruiters in the area you want to be in, and start sending emails and uploading your resume to their websites/databases. Aim to do a few a day. Use the same excel spreadsheet to keep track of which recruiting firms you've already reached out to.

3) Join multiple young professionals networks. Sometimes they will send emails to the listserv about opportunities they hear about from members. Additionally, you should network and attend events.

As always, finding a new job is never easy, and I wish you the best of luck in your search!

 

I'm in exactly the same position as you but in the UK. In a non-target uni with no alumni in the field. I've used LinkedIn massive amounts to find people working in local firms that don't advertise roles. Got a couple networking coffee's from it, and I'm talking directors and heads of departments, it's mad how nice and helpful people are.

 
Best Response

Are they not giving a fair shot to anybody at all from your school? Or have all the alumni banded together to keep you, personally, from the help that you think you deserve?

Remember: If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole.

"Son, life is hard. But it's harder if you're stupid." - my dad
 

Just need to realize that if you went to a big school (e.g. UC or whatever), we get a lot of inbound requests from current students or recent grads. I do my best to try to help with calls or coffee chats etc, but realistically I probably miss half of the inbound emails, linkedin stuff etc that I get. It's just a balance I guess, so I would encourage you to just keep reaching out to more folks and don't stake your hopes on any one person.

 

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