#CoffeeChatsWithJuniorBankers: Hey there! 👋 As a junior banker reaching out for coffee chats with senior bankers can sometimes feel like trying to get a response from a ghost 🧟♂️. Ever noticed how the hit rate drops significantly after you graduate and join the workforce? 🤔 Is it just me or are people more willing to offer their time and mentorship when you’re still a student? 🎓 I’ve been wondering if anyone else out there is experiencing the same thing post-grad. Let’s chat and share our thoughts on this interesting phenomenon! 💬☕ #MentorshipMystery #BankingBuddies #SeniorVsJunior
Poll time! 📊 Have you noticed a difference in response rates when reaching out for coffee chats after graduating and becoming a junior banker vs. when you were a student?
a) Yes, definitely! 🎓
b) Not really, it’s been the same for me 🏦
c) I haven’t tried reaching out post-grad yet 🤷♂️
Let’s get the conversation brewing! Share your experiences and insights below. ☕🤝 #NetworkingNooks #BrewingConnections #JuniorBankersUnite
Generally yes, early career networking is more difficult. It’s better to look internally or through more established routes like this philanthropy or other groups.
Hi, I am kind of new and I was wondering what is the “output” expected of reaching people? Getting a call with them ir what?
What country are you in?
I’m VP level and always help people that reach out to me on LinkedIn.
A few thoughts from someone who has done a fair bit of this sort of networking:
2/10 isn’t such a terrible hit rate. The main difference is between people who reach out at all, and people who don’t. You’re doing it and making connections so good on you.
You might have more success by being more specific and targetted. Try reaching out to people in areas you’re genuinely interested in learning more about, and mention in your email why you’re interested in their field specifically.
When you do catch up with someone, one of the most powerful questions is “Is there anyone else you suggest I talk to?” An email starting: “(colleague they know) suggested I contact you…” is more likely to be successful.
What was your secret to having a 100% response rate in college? Just wrapped up my summer analyst recruiting process (current sophomore) and I had a 20-30% response rate myself.
1. People respond more to students to be helpful.
2. A 20% response rate is fucking great, honestly.
3. GTFO off of LinkedIn. It’s less useful than you think.
4. Instead –> GET OUT OF THE GODDAMN APARTMENT. Go to CFA Society Events (even if you don’t have a CFA, they’ll let you attend); go to university alumni events; find conferences in your world that you can attend for free / cheap; find anything else that puts you in direct face-to-face connection with other human beings and build a real connection, in person. Then, you can ‘add’ them on LinkedIn (like goddamn Pokemon, gotta catch em all!).
You might have more success if you email them.
Coffee chats have a better success rate if you’re already in the firm. Doesn’t take that much effort for someone to meet you in the same building for 15 mins. People are too busy to take time out of their schedule especially if they’re FO to do so. Have you ever asked yourself. what do they get out of meeting me for a coffee?
Network internally at the bank you’re in, makes sense to get a mentor there tell them your goals and work towards achieving them.
Banks have internship programs that are the bulk of their hiring; if you reach out while in college, they can suggest you apply and maybe pull your resume to the top of the pile if they like you.
Once you’re out of college, there’s no way to hire you, so there’s not much point to the conversation.
There’s an exception if there is a big bull market/people are slammed/quitting left and right like in ’21, but actually we are in the opposite situation right now with banks looking to trim headcount.
“Hi busy banker man! I wanna waste my time and I wanna waste yours, too! Care to jump on an awkward, pointless zoom call to listen to me talk about myself for 30 minutes (probably running over)? You can sip some bitter bean juice and answer all my questions like a human ChatGPT!!!”