Getting A FT Job By May - Critique My Plan

Hey guys,

I'm graduating in May of 2019 - and have been searching for a full-time real estate job.

Some quick details:
- Moving to a different market right after graduation (from a smaller market --&gt; to Toronto)
- Finance Major, 3.3 cumulative GPA, 3.6 Major GPA
- 2 real estate internships (CBRE &amp; market research firm)

My goal:
Get a full-time job in the real estate industry in either investment sales analyst, acquisitions, debt brokerage, etc.

What my plan is: During February, the week of my spring break, I'll be flying out to Toronto for ~4 days. Prior to this, I want to set up as many coffee chats as I possibly can and cram them all in into those 4 days. Aiming for 15-30 minute chat lengths.

Right now, I'm in the process of looking up people that I want to meet with and beginning to reach out. However, I'm faced with a couple of options on how to go about this, I would love some feedback from you guys on this.

Option 1:
Reach out to industry people now by email, ask them for a phone call (remember they are across the country so can't meet them in person till Feb). Over the phone call, ask a few questions about him, the company, his role, what he thinks of X, etc. At the end of the phone call, tell him I'll be in Toronto in Feb and ask to meet for an in-person chat then.

Option 2:
Basically Option 1 but without the phone call. Cold email people I want to meet with, and in the email ask them to have a coffee chat for when I'm in Toronto in Feb.

Which one would be better? Here's another question I've been thinking about - how direct do I be about telling them I want to work in their firm? At what stage of the process do I bring this up?

Thank you very much, would love to hear any feedback or thoughts that went through your head as you read this

P.S. Been applying to open positions but no hits yet, thinking because I'm still 4 months out from being able to start.
[{"id": "edfrq0h", "text": "Great plan! I would also identify the managing directors at any brokerage you have interest in and directly reach out over email. In Toronto, the biggest shops are CBRE, Colliers, Cushman &amp; Wakefield, JLL and Avison Young. Each of these brokerages have 3 offices in the GTA and they are constantly looking to hire sales trainees. The managing directors are responsible for hiring. Be open about your ambition!\n\nAlso, if you truly have interest in brokerage in Toronto, sign up to begin your license immediately! They will be changing the licensing system in the next month or two and if you haven\u2019t enrolled by then it will take much longer and be more intensive/expensive. You can\u2019t work in brokerage without! Most brokerages will cover the costs once hired. \n\nPM me if you have any other questions!", "replies": [{"id": "edfthg4", "text": "100% will do - thanks! If aiming for investment sales (analyst), best to reach out to the MD's like you've said?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "edfyyi0", "text": "Was in a similar situation to you. Been working as an analyst in CRE for 6 months now. \n\nFeel free to PM. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "edg1bzc", "text": "It will probably be very difficult, if not impossible, to get a non-brokerage position right out of school. \n", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ediha9k", "text": "Sounds like you are already getting a lot of good advice here, but here's something I think would help you immensely. Have one of the senior guys at the CB office you worked for (Director or higher) reach out on your behalf to the Toronto office and set up multiple introductions to multiple brokers within the office. Those conversations you will have with the Toronto brokers will then lead to more meaningful introductions with clients of theirs who will be looking for analysts.", "replies": [{"id": "edir1ab", "text": "That's great - I'm totally doing that", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]