Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Investment Manager at Global Investment Firm
Vasant, a Senior Investment Manager, emphasizes the often-underappreciated power of networking, stating that "every job...since college...has been a product of networking." This involved not only seeking immediate job opportunities but also building relationships for future possibilities and advice, demonstrating the long-term value of a wide professional network.
Networking, Career Development, Job Search, Networking Strategies, Building Professional Relationships
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Vasant Mehta
Senior Investment Manager
Global Investment Management Company
U.C. Berkeley
Johns Hopkins University : M.A. International Economics and European Studies
Political Science, American Studies
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. The significance of networking in career advancement is highlighted, emphasizing its role in increasing opportunities and providing valuable insights from industry professionals.
2. Building a professional network is not solely about seeking immediate job offers; it's about creating connections that can lead to future opportunities and mentorship.
3. Vasant's personal experience underscores the long-term benefits of networking, demonstrating how initial connections can unexpectedly result in job offers even months later.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
The lesson I've learned that is very significant is the power of networking. It's something that is underappreciated, particularly early in one's career or even before entering the workforce. Networking can open a multitude of doors.
When you're looking for any role, whether it's right after college or further down the line, it often comes down to probabilities. You want to cast your net as wide as possible. You can have a hundred meetings, and five of those may turn into interviews, of which maybe one will turn into a job offer.
To have those initial hundred meetings, you need to network and meet as many people as possible. Many people think that if they're networking, they need to meet with people who have a job currently available. Yes, those are important meetings, but you also need to network with folks where there may not be a job at hand at that moment.
Those people can help educate you about the roles you're looking at. They can give you tips for when you do have interviews, and they may actually lead to jobs down the line. I've been in situations where people have told me about an opportunity subsequent to a meeting I had with them a few months ago.
Every job I've had since college, without fail, has been a product of networking. Even if it wasn't directly at that moment, somebody contacted me down the line about an opportunity. I think it's a very important skill that one needs to develop.
It's also something that one needs to bear in mind for their career, not just at the onset but further on as well.