Networking: The Gateway to your Dream Job

1. Networking: The Gateway to your Dream Job September 27th, 2017 MSU Student Investment Association

2. Points of Emphasis • Networking can take you where ever you want to be, no matter the industry or career path. • Just as important as studying for interviews • Benefits of Networking: • Become more knowledgeable about the industry/firm • Develop relationships with people who can mentor you • Increase chances of landing a job (employee referrals) • It is never to early to start networking • It will be awkward at first, but you’ll get better MSU Student Investment Association

3. Outline I. Networking Tools • LinkedIn • Personal Rolodex • Email II. Networking Process • Prospecting • First contact • Following up if unsuccessful • Second Contact: The Phone Call • Good basic questions • Staying in touch • Leveraging your network • Takeaways MSU Student Investment Association

4. I. Networking Tools MSU Student Investment Association

5. LinkedIn • LinkedIn is a social network for professionals • Way of connecting with colleagues, customers, potential employers, etc. • Great way to maintain and expand your network • Accounts are free to sign up for and use • www.linkedin.com MSU Student Investment Association

6. Personal Rolodex • Personal Rolodex: a list of business and professional contacts that you have • Information that is included: • Name of contact • Line of work/position • Firm they work for • Email Address • Phone Number • Date last contacted/waiting for response? • Any additional notes/personal details • Easy to create in Excel MSU Student Investment Association

7. Email • Email is the primary method of first contact in networking • Emails that are both well written and concise are most effective • Important to be aware of any possible negative interpretations of your email’s content • Triple check for grammar MSU Student Investment Association

8. II. Networking Process MSU Student Investment Association

9. Prospecting • Prospecting involves actively searching for, and identifying potential connections • Multiple methods: • List of Family Friends • Friends of Family Friends/Other 3rd Degree Connections (high school alumni, college professors, etc.) • Linkedin Searches • MSU Alums, Target Firms, Target Fields, Target Industries • Create dynamic searches for new people. Focus on Big 10 schools • Search for email formats for their firm to contact them Goal: Cast a wide net, find people who are good targets for initial contact MSU Student Investment Association

10. Initial Contact • Contact generally initiated through email • Subject Line: Say what you want “MSU Student – Informational Interview” • Keep it short & to the point. Less than 5 sentences • Introduce yourself, and say what you want • Why is talking to you going to be worth their time? • Mention what time frame or specific times you are available • Be conscious of when you send emails Mr./Ms. ________ , My name is [Full Name], and I am a junior finance major at Michigan State University. I am interested in sales and trading and would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your work on the investment grade debt desk at JP Morgan. Is there a time in the next week that you would be available to talk over the phone? My schedule is fairly flexible, and evenings or weekends generally work for me. Best regards, [First Name] Goal: Get to a phone call MSU Student Investment Association

11. Following Up if Initial Email is Unsuccessful • Important to wait 1 week before sending a follow up email • Don’t want to pester/give impression that you are annoying Mr./Ms. ________ , I wanted to circle back in case you missed my initial note. I am still very interested in learning about your work as well as the culture at JP Morgan. I know this is a busy time of year, but is there a time in the next week that you are available to talk? Best regards, [First Name] MSU Student Investment Association

12. The Phone Call • The initial phone call is a very important part of building a strong networking relationship • Be prepared to: • Give background on yourself and your experiences/interests. 1-2 minute story • Make a strong impression by asking good questions • Provide them with a resume if they ask for one • Be sure to thank them for their time MSU Student Investment Association

13. Some Good Basic Questions • How did you get started in the business? • Alternatively: Tell me about your background, how did you end up in X industry or at X firm? • What is a typical day like for you? • What do you enjoy most about your job? • What can someone in my position do to prepare themselves for a career in (IB/S&T/Research)? • What advice would you offer to someone in my position? • Be conscious of phrasing questions • Don’t ask “how much do you work”, ask “have you made it back to East Lansing for a football game recently?” • Keep the conversation mostly on the professional MSU Student Investment Association

14. Call Outline • Introduction • Introduce yourself, ask if now is still a good time • Go into your questions, but allow the contact to shape the tone of the conversation • At the end of the call, thank them for their time and ask about any further action • Next time to follow-up • Any other contacts • Interview process • Immediately after the call, write down notes in your excel sheet. You will forget otherwise MSU Student Investment Association

15. Staying in Touch • Follow up with a brief thank you email after a first phone call • Shows your appreciation, helps establish a more meaningful connection • Opens door for continued communication Mr./Ms. ________ ,Thank you for taking the time to talk with me this past Friday. I appreciate your insight on the direction of the S&T industry as well as your role on the investment grade debt desk. I will be sure to keep you updated on my progress this year, and look forward to staying in touch.Best regards, [First Name] MSU Student Investment Association

16. Staying in Touch Continued • It’s a good idea to reach out to each of your contacts at minimum, once every three months • Some contacts should be contacted more often, especially strong mentor like contacts. • 2nd contacts are more difficult • Find a reason to reach out; it must be natural. Be prepared with different questions that build off your last conversation • A great way to build a relationship is to ask if a contact is willing to critique your resume • In-person meetings help build relationships • Wait until recruiting is kicking off • Ask to get coffee • Train to Chicago is cheap, flights to NYC can be cheap MSU Student Investment Association

17. Leveraging Your Network • In order to leverage your network, you must first build strong relationships with the people in your network • Once you have a good relationship, most people are willing to open their network to you and help connect you with additional people • Resume submissions to HR for internships and full time • VERY IMPORTANT from non-target schools MSU Student Investment Association

18. Takeaways • Networking is extremely important – just as important as interview practice • Networking allows you to: • Become more knowledgeable about the industry/firm • Develop relationships with people who can mentor you • Increase chances of landing a job (employee referrals) • NEVER view networking as a transaction • In networking, you get out of it what you put into it. The harder you work, the better your results • It’s never too early to start networking MSU Student Investment Association

19. “Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door.” -Kyle Chandler MSU Student Investment Association

20. Application • Create/Update your LinkedIn account • Create/Update your resume • Have someone critique it/look it over • Write out and practice your story/intro • In excel make a list of family friends, people your parents know etc. • Look through these people’s LinkedIn connections to see who they know as well • Start by sending emails and reaching out to family/family friends • Reach out to Alumni, 3rd degree connections and continue to expand your network MSU Student Investment Association

21. Questions? MSU Student Investment Association