In this episode of the Coffee Chat podcast, we sit down with Chun, a student from the University of Illinois, to break down the dos and don’ts of networking in the high-stakes world of investment banking. From crafting the perfect cold email to standing out in interviews and transitioning schools mid-recruitment, this episode is packed with tactical advice and real-world insights.Host Ben Dowell shares practical frameworks for outreach, common mistakes students make, and how to carry yourself in a way that resonates with recruiters and bankers. If you're looking to sharpen your networking game, build confidence, or just survive the recruiting gauntlet, this episode is your new playbook.Sign up for the Adventis Financial Modeling Certification (FMC) program at https://adventiscg.com⏱️ Key Moments:00:00 – Welcome and intro to Chun, background and career goals02:17 – Why investment banking attracts students: visibility, deal experience03:51 – Staying sharp on technical skills during the summer (skills = perishable!)06:23 – The “customer retention” mindset applied to financial modeling07:30 – Chun’s networking concerns and how to start cold outreach09:12 – The 3 parts of a great cold email15:13 – What to ask in your cold outreach (specificity matters!)18:17 – How to handle different banker preferences for calls (Zoom vs phone)20:23 – Who to reach out to first (start with alumni, then junior bankers)22:26 – Transferring schools? Here's how to get plugged in early25:14 – Best practices for following up before and after a networking call29:00 – Advanced follow-up: giving value and finding “homework assignments”31:15 – Maintaining your network months after initial contact36:17 – Who really pushes your resume forward (hint: it’s not recruiters)38:07 – Final advice on improving energy, posture, and nonverbals for interviews42:47 – Outro + Coffee Chat Newsletter & Internship Database plug