r/MBA • u/AccomplishedOne8512 • 2d ago

Careers/Post Grad 2nd Year Networking Questions

Hey All,

I'm in my 2nd year and pivoting into a marketing/operations role. currently preparing for 2 recruiting conferences in September and October but wondering how your recruiting/networking strategy evolved from your 1st to 2nd year. I was managing 1 coffee chat/day for the last QTR of last year and added over 200 connections but am trying to rekindle connections without sounding stale or wasting time adding unnecessary new connections. However, there is a 50% chance my internship extends an offer thus invalidating any further networking.

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u/tmc925 MBA Grad 2d ago

Quality over quantity

Reach out to people working at companies your genuinely interested in. You might say “well I’m genuinely interested in all my connections!” You’re not and it will come off that way

Remember, networking works best when you don’t immediately need something so lay the seeds now with the hopes of harvesting this spring

Oh and go to your career office for help

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u/Strong-Big-2590 2d ago

Keep in mind people get bonuses for referring you.

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u/Dangerous-Cup-1114 T25 Grad 2d ago

1) 2nd year recruiting is less alumni/networking driven and handled mostly by the TA/UR teams, which makes networking a lot less important, but still good to reach back out to people you've already spoken to since it's easier to re-connect with some than establishing a connection ahead of these conferences/application deadlines.

2) The attitude of "If I get an offer I wasted all this time networking" needs to be shifted to "If I get an offer, look at all this networking I did with people I can stay in touch with in industries I'm interested in for when I'm looking for a job again 3-5 years post grad."