5 minutes with any CEO
Hey Guys,
So a random opportunity came up and I got invited to a closed event. Basically, the firm that I really want to work for, they will be there in the event as well. For instance, CEO, MDs and VP level guys are going to be in the attendance. Since, its not really a formal event, everyone will usually be chatting with each other over lunch and afterwards.
Now imagine, you see the CEO of the company standing alone. You want to approach him and have a 3-5 minutes conversation. How do you go about it? What do talk about?
I do not want to sound like a suck up or spook him. Let's say I just want to have a normal conversation with a random stranger (who happens to be a CEO) and not screw it up. I would rather play it safe than make a bad impression.
Any advice what would you do in a similar situation.
If you're caught in an elevator with the CEO, what do you do? Give him your elevator pitch!
I'm sorry, but I had to do it.
Here are some other things you can do [if you are stuck in the elevator with the CEO]:
Say DING at each floor.
Call out a group HUG, then enforce it.
Tap HIM/HER on the shoulder, then pretend it wasn't you.
Greet HIM/HER with a warm handshake and ask that he call you admiral.
Drop a pen, wait until he/she reaches to help pick it up, then scream: That's mine !
If you have a chalk or marker, draw a little square on the floor, then announce that this is your personal space.
[from Pinterest]
Better have some weed on you (hahaha).
This is a tough one. I like Batmasterson's post. PEE CORNER!
Hiten
you should get a whiteboard and draw a "safe" and "unsafe" column and brainstorm topics. then stand in a mirror and practice delivering questions about the safe topics. and avoidance tactics in case you stray into an "unsafe" topic. for instance, asking about the CEOs business may seem like it belongs in the "safe" column. but wait!! what if business is going badly. now you're going to risk upsetting him and making him think poorly of you as he walks away with a bitter taste in his mouth.
also on the topic of straying into dangerous territory. make sure to work on the contingencies. i.e. if the weather forecast looks pretty good that day you should spend most of your time perfecting some opening lines to the effect of "my this is some good weather for late march don't you think?" but don't forget to prepare some lines in case the weatherman is wrong!
also bring a whistle in case anything goes irreparably off the rails so you can blow it and move onto the next unsuspecting CEO before the first one has time to make a concrete judgment on you and ruin your career prospects for all eternity
would be stupid to target the CEO imo.
deleted
Explain to him how your school just went up two spots in the latest US News ranking
If you don't know how to have a normal conversation with a random stranger already, nothing we say can help you.
You talk to him like you'd talk to anyone. He's not god. Introduce yourself then comment on sports, or something in the news about his company, or what you thought of the event, etc.
Introduce yourself. Ask where he works. Talk about golf. Thank him for the chat and move on to the next one.
Now if you introduce yourself like 'Hi my name is ____, a senior/junior at ______, how are you today" I will personally punch you in the head. Some of you guys have no social skills.
"Look, I sat in gum"
Just start a converstaion on something thats going on at the present moment, and then evolve that into introducimg yourself and your situation. I'm 18 and I appriached a less known HF manager and from talking about investment books got an internship lined up.
I was chatting in the elevator with the regional director for my BB in Europe (very senior dude). I basically asked "given your experience in the sector and life in general, what advice would you give an ambitious young guy like me"? I got his contact details and was able to meet him for (very) brief coffee chats twice, as well as a phone follow up when I was comparing offers two years later. Definately one of the most useful mentors I have.
SB +1. This is fantastic advice.
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