1 Simple Networking Tip That Helped Me Land A 6 Figure Job

Why It Was Oddly Similar to Catching Fish

What we want to say: “Hey I’m just reaching out to on LinkedIn. I would love to get a job at the same company you work at and based on this 15 minute conversation we are about to have, I hope you can tell your boss about me so I can get an interview and then the job”

What in reality we actually say: “Hey [Insert Name]! I’m reaching out to learn more about you and your past at [Insert Company]. I would love if you have two minutes to chat at [Insert Favorite Coffee Shop]. Best, [Your Name]”

If you have ever reached out to someone to network, or attended a networking event before, you’re aware that’s exactly how the majority of conversations go.

You circle in a group of 10 around a Partner or Managing Director of a firm, simply nodding your head hoping to get in a “that’s awesome” or “I love that” as they tell a story, hoping to win the tiniest bit of approval from them, and thinking that they’ll remember you when it’s time to apply for the job.

To truly stand out, you need to cut out this ‘herd mentality’ and understand how the business works, which in many ways I’ve learned, is eerily similar in learning how go fishing.

Start with the ‘little fish’

Everyone wants to go straight after the Great White Shark. We as humans believe, if we can just get one conversation in with the Managing Director of the firm, we can land a job. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past decade from building my network, this is far from the truth. Instead what we should be doing is, before even reaching out to anyone, figure out the job and company we want to have and work for. Ask yourself:

Do your values align with the company?

Are you just in it for the money?

What are people saying about the work culture there?

The point is — do your own due diligence. Spend some time thinking what you really want from the job. You will likely be concentrating the majority of your time, focus and efforts in this everyday. From there, instead of going for the Hail Mary and reaching out randomly to the Managing Director, take the road less travelled and set-up some time with the most Junior Analyst on the team:

• Find someone who joined the team <6 months ago
• Search online for company name followed by if their title is “Junior Analyst or Analyst”
• Even someone who recently completed an internship there

Here’s an example below of a LinkedIn Message I sent out to a Junior that got a reply:

“Hi [Name]! I’m a former UW Grad looking to connect with alumni in finance and consulting roles. I’d love to chat with you for a few minutes, or buy you a cup of coffee to learn more about your experience and day-to-day. And if there’s anything I can do for you, do let me know!

Sohil”

Adding the “if there is anything I can do for you”, shows you’re ready to bring value to the conversation even if you do not know much about the role. The point of this exercise is to get your foot in the door, and get comfortable with having these conversations.

Now you’re ready for ‘bigger fish’

Once you have infiltrated the team or your group of interest, see if you can have a conversation with an Associate, or an Assistant Vice-President. A simple reach out goes a long way.

“Hi [Associate on Team]! I recently got the chance to grab coffee with [Junior on Team]. They mentioned [talk about the role/experience that the Junior shared] and I’d love to listen from the perspective of someone more experienced on the team. Let me know if you have two mins to chat.”

Why this works

What you don’t see is the behind the scenes. Usually when you talk to a Junior, assuming you brought some value and had an honest conversation, they will likely mention your name/the conversation you had with the rest of the team.

So then when you reach out to a more senior individual on the same team, you already have a foot in the door, and are much more likely to get a response back vs. someone who blindly does a cold approach.

Repeat the strategy and bait in the ‘Sharks’

Work your way up with the ladder and see if Associates/AVP’s can help in you having a conversation with Senior Leadership — Directors, Senior Directors or Managing Directors. Invest your time getting to know the entire team, so that when you meet with the MD, you actually know what goes on in their department, and will be ready to add value.

If you have good rapport with the remainder of the team you have spoken with, your chances are much higher than the remainder of the applicants.

There is a reason fit has become such a big portion of recruiting and job applications, because outside of our work ethic and skill, we all want to work with people we can get along with for 40+ hours a week.

Recap

• Forget your own path — go against the ‘herd mentality’ when it comes to networking
• Understand your own values and what you want in a job
• Start with a reach out to Interns/1st Year Analysts for most traction
• Use the Juniors as a catalyst to reach out to Associates/VP’s on the same team; Repeat the Process with Directors and Managing Directors
• Learn to ask what problems people are having in their everyday lives and listen — see what you can do to help and solve them

Challenge Yourself — For the next few months, be bold and force yourself to start reaching out to Juniors at places you are interested in, and work your way up. Keep at it, and who knows what type of fish you end up reeling in…

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