Networking for a TS Job: Strategies and Tips

A significant proportion of junior TS roles — particularly at boutiques and smaller advisory firms — are never formally advertised. Even at Big 4 firms where structured recruitment exists, a warm introduction or internal referral meaningfully improves your chances. Building the right network is not optional; it is part of the job search.

Why Networking Works in TS

Transaction Services is a small world. Deal teams are compact, firms are not large, and professionals move between a relatively small number of employers. This means:

The same names come up repeatedly across the industry
Personal reputation travels fast
A recommendation from someone a hiring manager trusts is worth more than a strong CV from an unknown candidate

The implication for candidates is that being known — in the right way, by the right people — creates opportunities that never appear on job boards.

Where to Start

LinkedIn is the most accessible starting point, but how you use it matters enormously. Generic connection requests are rarely answered. More effective approaches:

Connect with people after a meaningful interaction (a conference, a webinar, a shared contact)
Write a personalised note explaining specifically why you want to connect — mention something relevant about their background or firm
Engage genuinely with content posted by TS professionals before reaching out

Alumni Networks

Your university or business school alumni network is a high-trust environment. A fellow alumnus working in TS at a firm you are targeting is far more likely to take a call or respond to a message than a cold contact. Use alumni directories, LinkedIn's alumni filter, and university career services to identify relevant contacts.

Industry Events and Conferences

M&A and advisory industry events — including CFA Society events, restructuring and private equity conferences, and firm-run seminars — provide genuine face-to-face networking opportunities. Attend with specific goals: identify two or three people you want to speak to and prepare relevant questions.

Informational Interviews

An informational interview is a 20 to 30-minute conversation where you ask a practitioner about their career, their team, and the industry — without directly asking for a job. When done well, these conversations:

Build genuine relationships over time
Give you real insight into what different TS teams look for
Create advocates who think of you when a role opens up

The key is to prepare thoroughly, be concise, and follow up with a genuine thank-you.

What to Say and Ask

When you connect with a TS professional, your goal is a professional peer conversation — not a sales pitch. Strong opening messages explain:

Who you are and your current situation
A specific, genuine reason for reaching out (their background, their firm's sector focus, a deal they worked on)
A clear, low-ask request (a 20-minute call, a response to one specific question)

In the conversation itself, ask about:

What the day-to-day role actually looks like
What they look for in candidates who stand out
How they got into TS and what helped them
Whether there is anyone else they would recommend speaking to

Converting Conversations into Opportunities

Networking does not produce immediate results. The goal is to be remembered positively when an opportunity arises — which may be months later. Stay in touch occasionally: share a relevant article, congratulate someone on a new role, or respond to their LinkedIn content thoughtfully.

When a role does open up and you apply, a well-timed message to your contact — letting them know you have applied and reiterating your interest — can result in a referral that changes the outcome.

When you do get the conversation or interview, technical preparation matters as much as the relationship. Our programme covers 8+ realistic case studies and 150+ EBITDA adjustment examples to make sure you are ready when the opportunity arrives. One payment of €119.99.