You're boring -- Networking

Not all of our connections work out. For those trying to break into finance, our earlier steps in networking end up flat out failing and our attempts at forming relationships fall on a flat tone. Dry. Tasteless. Forgotten relationships. And from my own experiences (and from what I've witnessed), the number one reason for poor networking performance is because of personality and ability to present oneself. Being thought of as boring by someone is essentially the end of any start of a relationship, professional or otherwise.

To that end, I'd like to ask the professionals here,

What is it that makes you really enjoy working with someone?
What sort of traits signal that you've met someone you'd work well with, or that you'd really like to stay in contact with?
When people cold-email you, you're out for coffee with those trying to break in, or even at networking events with professionals, what do you look for in a conversation with someone?
What do you leave with in, what you would consider, a good conversation? (Perhaps an odd question) How are you left feeling?

 
Appley:
Not all of our connections work out. For those trying to break into finance, our earlier steps in networking end up flat out failing and our attempts at forming relationships fall on a flat tone. Dry. Tasteless. Forgotten relationships. And from my own experiences (and from what I've witnessed), the number one reason for poor networking performance is because of personality and ability to present oneself. Being thought of as boring by someone is essentially the end of any start of a relationship, professional or otherwise.

To that end, I'd like to ask the professionals here,

What is it that makes you really enjoy working with someone? What sort of traits signal that you've met someone you'd work well with, or that you'd really like to stay in contact with? When people cold-email you, you're out for coffee with those trying to break in, or even at networking events with professionals, what do you look for in a conversation with someone? What do you leave with in, what you would consider, a good conversation? (Perhaps an odd question) How are you left feeling?

Money can buy you people, everyone has a price.

 

you changed the title to be less edgy? lol scared to get cut bro? edit: i saw a knife block that has a built-in sharpener at costco this weekend and it sounds likea good idea but it is not. knife blocks are a stupid waste of space anyway. i have a dope wall magnet strip and you should too. bought a fucking wooden-handled cleaver youd see some fucking 200-year-old chinese lady with one eye and half a leg missing chopping a chicken's head off in the middle of fucking traffic in china with and ive never even used it man but it looks cool and carbon steel is the move

heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 
Best Response

This is a really good post and i hope it takes off.

I'll start off by saying you've got to get out of your "finance-driven, dead-personality" mode. This will be hard for some because they will have probably spent a long time sacrificing their personality, in order to boost their chances of getting into the industry.

In order to improve your networking ability, you need to start being normal again. Don't look at the professionals interviewing/talking with you as omnipotent gods. Treat them like you would normal people, with friendliness and respect. They like normal things, just like you.

So when you ask "what sort of traits signal...." or "what makes you enjoy working with....". Ask yourself the same question and figure out what type of person you'd want to work with in that scenario.

And most important of all, remember everyone is different. Not all professionals want someone who likes golf and cars. Not all want someone with x personality traits. That's why the aim is to apply everywhere until you find a place where you can fit.

Absolute truths don't exist... celebrated opinions do.
 

Definitely for me, my nerves get to me during networking haha. It's really awkward for me when I see people going through the usual stack of questions asking bankers or traders about culture, their daily life, etc. Very overplayed and I always figured the people I want to speak to probably have more interesting thoughts floating around. But of course, I get nervous to expand the conversation for fear of coming off unprofessional.

What about you personally though? What in a person really "clicks" for you?

 

I feel the same way about the cookie cutter networking questions, but you have to start somewhere or else there'd be no way of naturally shifting the topic in another direction.

You can't just start by asking for a professional's opinion on the average effective tax rate in India. You need to get to know them first.

As for what traits I'd look for in a person, the same generic stuff admissions officers, Interviewers, CEO's etc, say. The aim is not to be some super alpha charismatic top-dog, it is rare to get a job/internship based on solely that. You just have to be someone who knows their stuff but is also a normal approachable human being.

Absolute truths don't exist... celebrated opinions do.
 

Incidunt officiis voluptates architecto dolore ut. Exercitationem exercitationem modi et deserunt qui ducimus.

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."

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”