Banking industry networking events (Charlotte: college, live, land)

[BBSLM]

I am a jobless Finance grad trying to get into banking. The obligatory advice for people in my situation is to network, but how do I go about finding networking events in Charlotte? I live near Uptown, so I'm guessing I wouldn't have to venture too far.

[ellemaew]

Check LinkedIn, in addition to posting your information, there are various groups that provide networking. Also start contacting recruiters. There have been a couple that I have worked with who have held networking socials and/or job fairs in addition to working to help you find something. As a new graduate, taking contract work may not be optimum or what you were looking for, but it's a good way to get experience and internal contacts and references.

[Slakkie]

Originally Posted by ellemaew

Check LinkedIn, in addition to posting your information, there are various groups that provide networking. Also start contacting recruiters. There have been a couple that I have worked with who have held networking socials and/or job fairs in addition to working to help you find something. As a new graduate, taking contract work may not be optimum or what you were looking for, but it's a good way to get experience and internal contacts and references.

Definitely agree on contracting - a great way to see what areas you should look into to. Commercial Banking is picking up some steam now. There are some programs for people right out of college as well.

[BBSLM]

Originally Posted by ellemaew

Check LinkedIn, in addition to posting your information, there are various groups that provide networking. Also start contacting recruiters. There have been a couple that I have worked with who have held networking socials and/or job fairs in addition to working to help you find something. As a new graduate, taking contract work may not be optimum or what you were looking for, but it's a good way to get experience and internal contacts and references.

Thanks, I'll try LinkedIn. Would you mind telling me the recruiters you mentioned. You can DM if you want.

A recruiter ran a position by me, but it wasnt what I was looking for, and probably not anything that would lead to anything meaningful.

Originally Posted by Slakkie

Definitely agree on contracting - a great way to see what areas you should look into to. Commercial Banking is picking up some steam now. There are some programs for people right out of college as well.

Which programs specifically? Any tips on who to contact?

[ellemaew]

Originally Posted by BBSLM

Thanks, I'll try LinkedIn. Would you mind telling me the recruiters you mentioned. You can DM if you want.

A recruiter ran a position by me, but it wasnt what I was looking for, and probably not anything that would lead to anything meaningful.



Which programs specifically? Any tips on who to contact?

You definitely want to be working with more than one recruiter, and don't just turn something down because it isn't exactly what you want - it's more important to have experience and contacts than to hold out for that perfect job - which may never land on your doorstep.

As far as not leading to anything meaningful - I once took a 6 week contract because I knew the company was big on previous experience within their company. It turned into a 6 month gig, and had the financial world not collapsed, would have turned into a full time gig - don't be too quick to turn stuff down. And my experience is that the job description that the recruiter has often doesn't really give you a good picture of what the job actually is, so at least try for an interview before deciding it isn't worth it - besides, it's good interviewing practice even if you end up not getting the job.

I have worked with TekSystems, Genesis One, Signature Consultants, Sapphire, Ajilon... honestly, the more of them you can get your resume to the better - I have yet to get a gig through the same firm twice.

[BBSLM]

Originally Posted by ellemaew

You definitely want to be working with more than one recruiter, and don't just turn something down because it isn't exactly what you want - it's more important to have experience and contacts than to hold out for that perfect job - which may never land on your doorstep.

As far as not leading to anything meaningful - I once took a 6 week contract because I knew the company was big on previous experience within their company. It turned into a 6 month gig, and had the financial world not collapsed, would have turned into a full time gig - don't be too quick to turn stuff down. And my experience is that the job description that the recruiter has often doesn't really give you a good picture of what the job actually is, so at least try for an interview before deciding it isn't worth it - besides, it's good interviewing practice even if you end up not getting the job.

I have worked with TekSystems, Genesis One, Signature Consultants, Sapphire, Ajilon... honestly, the more of them you can get your resume to the better - I have yet to get a gig through the same firm twice.

Thanks for the info and list of recruiters. I guess I need to be more flexible.