Short answer: yes—if you’re ruthless about yield. I run a two‑week sprint with a hard cap on events and a bias for rooms where a staffer or VP is actually present. Pre‑write three outreach variants, block 90 minutes daily for targeted notes, and track replies like it’s pipeline. At events, I aim for three good conversations, not 30 handshakes, and I book follow‑ups on the spot. Post‑event, I send a note that night, then a value add within 48 hours. If there’s no traction after two bumps, I drop it. What’s your high‑yield filter for events and your exact follow‑up cadence that led to real interviews?
most “networking” is cosplay. pick events with staffers, alumni who actually hire, or firm‑sponsored coffee chats. if you can’t name a decision‑maker in the room, skip it. at the event, set two follow‑ups on your calendar before you leave. night‑of thank you, 48‑hour value add, one bump a week later. then move on. next.
if i can’t find the staffer name before an event, is it ok to ask a vp directly who handles interns? worried that’s awkward lol.
A sprint works when you constrain inputs and standardize outputs. Filter events by two criteria: presence of decision‑makers and proximity to hiring windows. Prepare a 20‑second intro and two questions tailored to the team’s recent transactions. Book follow‑ups in real time (“Would next Tuesday 8:30 a.m. work?”). Your email ladder should be same‑night thank you, a 48‑hour artifact tied to the conversation, then a single bump at day seven proposing a short call. If no movement, redeploy attention. Quality dominates volume in compressed timelines.
Two weeks is plenty if you focus! Choose the right rooms, follow up fast, and keep momentum. Superdays are within reach!
I did a 10‑day dash last fall. Skipped the big fair, went to a smaller alumni breakfast where the staffer actually showed. Chatted with a VP about a deal I’d read, asked one question about their timeline, and got permission to follow up. That night I sent a one‑pager on a comparable transaction. He forwarded me to HR. The contrast: two larger events netted photos and swag, zero interviews. Smaller room, clearer path.
In a two‑week window, my best yield came from 1–2 curated events plus daily targeted outreach. Events with known staffer/VP attendance produced ~4x follow‑up calls versus general mixers. Cadence that worked: T+0 thank you, T+2 value add, T+7 bump. Across 62 contacts, interview conversion was ~19% with the artifact step vs. ~7% without. Time‑box outreach to 90 minutes/day and maintain a simple CRM to avoid duplicate pings.