When should a rising senior start applying for full time jobs?
Hello all, I have been a long term lurker on the forum but just recently decided to create an account. I am about to be a senior in undergrad majoring in real estate finance and was curious when it would be acceptable to start applying for full time financial analyst positions at companies like JLL and CBRE. I have used the search function and found information regarding IB and PE, but couldn't really find much regarding real estate positions. Is there a "recruiting season" like the aforementioned IB and PE or do you sort of apply whenever and explain that you are still in undergrad and graduating in May. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I'm sure this would be helpful to all seniors in the forum now and for years to come.
Thanks!
Currently in the same boat as you pal. But to just add to what to you're asking about. As far as I am aware, real estate hiring is much more sporadic and on an "as needed basis". Basically, you should be networking fairly constantly, and reaching out to as many people as possible.
From what I have seen, entry level analysts jobs tend to just pop up randomly. Having said that, I know there are some firms that function in a more formal manor. Meaning heavy fall recruitment for the spring. But in real estate that seems to be the exception and not the norm.
I was wondering as well though, what do y'all think job prospects are like around the new year? I would hope that a lot of analyst level people take their bonuses and job ship, but I would like y'alls take on how hard it might be to find a job around then.
There is and there isn't a recruiting season. Some much more corporate companies hire on an annual basis. You will want to keep an eye on when those firms require applications by and make sure you meet those deadlines. Other companies are 100% as-needed, but most of the time are too busy to think much about that need. It's something they recognize, but don't focus on.
Either way, you should focus less on when you should "apply" and more on cultivating relationships along the way. You should be networking now. Get coffee with people, get lunch with people, ask them who else you should meet with, etc. Make those relationships now so that 6 months from now, 8 months from now you can make the ask and get the job.
Thank you for the advice, I have really ramped up my networking recently with school and fraternity alumni especially on LinkedIn and have had several calls with a few of them. I understand that relationships are important in any industry but know they are especially vital in finance/real estate when it comes to getting jobs. After you have talked to someone several times on the phone what do you think is the best way to bring up potentially working at their employer? Everyone I talk to emphasizes meet as many people as you can and I have been doing that but it eventually gets to the point where you need to directly ask them if they can help you get hired you know?
Sounds like you're on the right path. The key here is to stay in touch so that you stay on your radar, I can't tell you how many kids I talk to that reach out and then don't follow up after I talk to them for 15-30 minutes... it's bananas.
On your last point, you don't ever need to directly ask for someone (who you don't know SUPER well) to "help you get hired". They have two eyes and a brain, they know you need and want a job; what they're vetting is are you worth the effort to help. I'm not going to send my friends some schmuck who doesn't do basic prep work for a meeting and who comes across poorly. If you come across well, people will refer you and keep you in mind... trust me, they know you are trying to get hired by them or someone they know.
How would you recommend following up on a recontact? Something as basic as sending an interesting news article or maybe an interesting deal the firm is working on? Or are these all too rigid?
Play it by ear. Maybe it's an article about something the contact/the contact's company is doing that you find impressive. Maybe you find out that the two of you share something in common - a hobby, or an alma mater. Maybe 6 months go by and you just reach out to grab coffee again because you enjoyed the last time.
People want to hire people they can stand to be around. This is essentially just making friends - albeit slightly more professional than sending each other instagram memes.
A guy that I originally had a conversation with months ago on LinkedIn got back to me after I sent him another message a few days ago. He works at the JLL in my area and welcomed me to come by and introduce myself and have a talk, and even offered offered to introduce me to some of the other employees! Who would've thought anything would come from cold messaging someone on LinkedIn lol
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