#NetworkingTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice
The Problem: Feeling Lost in the World of Networking
Have you ever found yourself at a networking event, surrounded by people exchanging business cards and engaging in conversations, feeling completely out of place and unsure of where to start? You’re not alone. Many individuals struggle with the concept of networking and face challenges when it comes to building meaningful connections in the professional world.
Why Networking Is Important
- Networking is essential for career growth and opportunities.
- It allows you to establish connections with like-minded individuals.
- Networking opens doors to new collaborations and partnerships.
Solutions: Practical Steps to Effective Networking
Now that we’ve identified the problem, let’s delve into some practical solutions to help you navigate the world of networking with confidence and ease.
1. Define Your Goals
Before diving into networking, take some time to define your goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve through networking, whether it’s connecting with industry professionals, exploring new career opportunities, or finding potential mentors.
2. Research and Prepare
Prior to attending a networking event, research the attendees and speakers to identify individuals you’d like to connect with. Prepare talking points and questions to kickstart conversations and showcase your interest in their work.
3. Be Genuine and Authentic
Authenticity is key in building lasting relationships. Be yourself, show genuine interest in others, and focus on building meaningful connections rather than simply exchanging business cards.
4. Follow Up and Stay in Touch
After networking events, follow up with individuals you’ve connected with via email or LinkedIn. Nurture these relationships by staying in touch, sharing relevant insights, and offering support when needed.
5. Leverage Online Platforms
In addition to in-person networking, leverage online platforms such as LinkedIn to expand your network and engage with professionals in your industry. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and showcase your expertise through content sharing.
Conclusion: Embrace Networking as a Stepping Stone to Success
Networking may seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and mindset, it can be a powerful tool for professional growth and advancement. By defining your goals, preparing effectively, being authentic, following up, and leveraging online platforms, you can navigate the world of networking with confidence and build a strong network of connections that support your career journey.
Remember, networking is not just about exchanging business cards; it’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration. So, don’t let the fear of networking hold you back. Embrace it as a stepping stone to success in your career.
Reach out to mentors internally if your company has a program like this and talk like a human but dont be agressive on first few meets, network with old alums, grad school, linkedin cold messages.
Build a good LinkedIn presence. Make small talk with your alumni. Ask them questions about their career, tell them straight up you’re into xyz industry and if they know anybody who could answer questions about the day to day. Keep doing that, and showing your personality. Eventually someone will refer you to HR for an internship.
Cold messages I guess and trust the goodwill of people
one of the main things that i think people don’t realize when networking is that obviously the person you are networking with has something you want to get out of the relationship. but what do you have to offer them? past that just be fun/cool/interesting and be nice to people and the network will happen automatically. take an honest interest in the person you are talking to. if you lack authenticity people will sniff you out immediately and you will get nowhere
What is your goal? Are you a student? First year analyst? Experienced? Lots of information missing here.
>Can someone here give a clear, structured path to networking?!
Make friends.
Some friends in life are highly activity based, like you have friends that you only play basketball with. Other friends you only train at the gym with. Video game friends. Online community friends. Work friends.
Networking is just making <specific industry> friends.
Every time there is gathering events, JUST GO! At work, I receive once or twice a year an email about networking within the company. You just need to kick your ass and go.
If you are a CFA member, go to your CFA local institute gatherings. If you are a student, go to every event and enroll yourself in the investment club or something like that.
LinkedIn is a great start in my opinion
Step 1: Get your LinkedIn in order. Good profile and a profile photo. If you have ridiculous jokes/memes, get rid of it. Informative content is appreciated but not needed.
Step 2: Start looking for people with a similar background as yours. Obvious similarities are school alums but look beyond that. People from the same country are interesting ones, especially if you are from a very closely-knit community (Eg: India). Others may include people who transitioned from one role to another and you’d like to know about their journey (corp finance to IB, Audit to IB, S&T to PE etc), people from “nontarget”. This should not stop you from reaching out to everyone that you can but remember, those people have no incentive to talk to you. I used Excel to maintain a log of all the people I reached out to, whether they replied or not and when to send a follow-up and how my conversation was with them.
Step 3: Reach out. Look up the email format of the firm the said individuals are working in and reach out. LinkedIn is nice but people are busy and are unlikely to reply as promptly.
Step 4: Take the call, in a silent room, without disturbance, etc. Always thank them for talking to you and at the end of the call, always ask if they could put you in touch with someone in their network.
Step 5: Assuming you had a good call with them, if you are ever in their city of work, reach out for lunch/coffee. In-person meetings are a step above phone calls.
Step 5: If you need a favor, reach out asking for help. If they help, well and good, but if they cannot, do not burn the bridge. Somewhere down the line, they will be able to help you. The most common instance of this is sophomores asking their POC at XYZ banks to push their resume to the top when recruiting for SA roles.
**Step 6 (Most important): Once in a position of authority remember to return the favor to kids who reach out to you.**
This is assuming you are a college kid but even if you are not, the process pretty much stays the same.
Some resources I used to network:
1. [https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/want-to-get-me-on-the-phone-heres-how-a-networking-overview](https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/want-to-get-me-on-the-phone-heres-how-a-networking-overview)
2. [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b00e278a2772cd1d9f5d164/t/5e334bda1e0a955bfd5041e7/1580420059030/BAM_MASTERDECK_3.1.pdf](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b00e278a2772cd1d9f5d164/t/5e334bda1e0a955bfd5041e7/1580420059030/BAM_MASTERDECK_3.1.pdf)
Good luck! You got it. DM if you need help.
Every networking event I’ve ever been to has just been a bunch of realtors and insurance agents throwing business cards in my face. Eventually I just stopped bothering.
I’ve always been a huge networker given I started my career in trading. Networking is a skill just like making friends can be for people in high school who were awkward like me.
Easiest way is think of people you genuinely enjoyed having a conversation with at work whether they were coworkers or clients. I’m assuming since you’re in this sub you’ve worked a finance job before. Connect with those people and ask to meet up for a coffee or drink to catch up. Then don’t ever make small talk but really just start asking questions to get to know them better. Also, do some research on the field they are in so that you can offer insights and value.
If you need someone to keep your accountable send me a dm.
the more you fuck around, the more you find out