Alumni Phone Call

Hey all,

I just e-mailed an alumni I don't know who is an analyst at a bank I want to work at. He said he would be happy to answer my questions, either by phone or e-mail.

I'm going for the phone call but I've never done something like this so I was looking for some guidance. I'm going to ask mostly questions about his firm specifically, the recruiting process, culture, groups, etc. Anything else I should ask? Avoid asking?

Just don't want to sound like an idiot. ;)

 

Build rapport with him first, let him know a little bit about you, get to know a little bit about him and why he got into the industry. Don't skip this step, you don't want to sound like you're just using him for a possible interview. If you're in his area I'd even recommend skipping the phone/email route all together and see if you can get together for dinner or drinks. If you can't get together in person just do your best to get him on your side.

 

General advice for all kinds of networking like this, whether it's an analyst or MD:

Make a friend.

The most valuable thing you can do is have whomever you meet with walk away thinking, "That guy Joe, he's a good kid, nice guy." You don't need to impress them with your finance knowledge yet, save that for the interview. Talk about sports, talk about movies - find out what interests you have in common and just hang out with the guy. Relax and be yourself - don't worry about impressing him, and you will. I promise this advice will get you farther than any "prep" you may do.

  • Capt K
- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

I just spoke to an Alum literally an hour ago, and he told me he liked the way I approached the email and call. Most important thing is to ask him a lot of questions about his experience and what he thinks is the best route for you. Tell him about yourself briefly, talk about where you want to be (broadly, don't mention anything specific or else he might not refer you to opportunities that fall outside your narrow perimeters) and then ask for advice.

 

Exactly, people love to talk about themselves. Ask what classes they took that helped them most, what resources they used on campus, etc. Ask for any advice they can give you towards breaking into the field, interview advice and also advice on how to be successful once on the job. What attributes does he see in his best junior level people? Then work to have those attributes.

 

and if at the end it seems appropriate, ask if he knows someone you can talk to who would be able to help (i.e. get you a job)

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 

See my other thread.

Basically

1) Brief overview of yourself 2) Talk about him / let him talk about himself/herself 3) Ask about the bank / job / position 4) Ask if there's anyone they know that they can refer you to

 

*An alumnus.

You're right about knowing a lot about his firm, that will be very helpful for questions you may/should have for him. More importantly, get a really solid grip on your background, your career field of interest, and what you've done to get there. As an MD, he'll appreciate your story and will likely give you the "how-to" on his own. Make sure to ask him how he did it, because that was always the best advice/motivation/guidance I got. Good luck

 
CaR:
*An alumnus.

You're right about knowing a lot about his firm, that will be very helpful for questions you may/should have for him. More importantly, get a really solid grip on your background, your career field of interest, and what you've done to get there. As an MD, he'll appreciate your story and will likely give you the "how-to" on his own. Make sure to ask him how he did it, because that was always the best advice/motivation/guidance I got. Good luck

Good point thanks. And I guess I'll just ask his thinking on my options for a internship and hopefully he will offer me help if he can.

 

Having a story down is important. Also don't wing it like I did a couple of times.

Does anyone know how to write in the initial email? I don't want to sound like I'm JUST looking for advice either 09wranger, but I also don't want to seem pushy and out-and-out asking for a job, or even desperate (cuz at this point I would be happy fetching coffee if it meant I at least got facetime)

Anyone got a go-to email script?

 
sasa:
Having a story down is important. Also don't wing it like I did a couple of times.

Does anyone know how to write in the initial email? I don't want to sound like I'm JUST looking for advice either 09wranger, but I also don't want to seem pushy and out-and-out asking for a job, or even desperate (cuz at this point I would be happy fetching coffee if it meant I at least got facetime)

Anyone got a go-to email script?

For a email start by saying how u got his email(alum or connection). From the Md's and smd's i know or have meet they don't want someone desperate. They want someone dedicated, smart and eager to learn. So sound interested in the business and firm. They know your a college kid looking for a internship and that's what the are looking for. They don't expect us to have the knowledge and experience of George soros

 

Know your story, know what you want to do and why, know the easier technicals, have probing questions for him that will give you more detail into his job (you don't want to say "so what do you actually do"), ask him how he got in the position he has today, ask him what he was doing when he was your age now, etc. These phone calls are extremely easy and can foster great relationships/contacts. Make the phone call about him, get him talking about himself and his success.

 
Best Response

[Edit: this is for the above posters message -- sorry for not quoting]

Here is a relatively standard email for a cold email. Obviously tweak it to match your story, but this is ok:

I hope this message finds you well. I came across your name and firm, and I am writing to inquire as to whether you would be willing to offer any guidance for an aspiring investment banker.

I am currently a [e.g. Junior] at [University] and have recently finished my previous summer at internship. My post graduate goal is to enter investment banking, so I am reaching out in order to gain your perspective [insert something] and [learn] your personal path to investment banking.

Additionally, I have [insert background]. [resume attached].

To be more specific, my post-graduate goal is to work in [insert group] for an investment bank, and I am currently looking for opportunities for the summer of 2013 and thereafter.

Would you be available to speak? If your schedule allows it would be great to meet for coffee or drinks, but a phone call would still be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 
CountryUnderdog:
[Edit: this is for the above posters message -- sorry for not quoting]

Here is a relatively standard email for a cold email. Obviously tweak it to match your story, but this is ok:

I hope this message finds you well. I came across your name and firm, and I am writing to inquire as to whether you would be willing to offer any guidance for an aspiring investment banker.

I am currently a [e.g. Junior] at [University] and have recently finished my previous summer at internship. My post graduate goal is to enter investment banking, so I am reaching out in order to gain your perspective [insert something] and [learn] your personal path to investment banking.

Additionally, I have [insert background]. [resume attached].

To be more specific, my post-graduate goal is to work in [insert group] for an investment bank, and I am currently looking for opportunities for the summer of 2013 and thereafter.

Would you be available to speak? If your schedule allows it would be great to meet for coffee or drinks, but a phone call would still be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Much obliged. I could add a bit about my immediate goals. I'm actually out of school and switching to IB. Working alumni seems like the only way to get in for me.

 

Generally speaking, just tell your story via your introduction, he'll give you his background, and then go from there. Don't sound too scripted -- try to keep it natural. The phone call is step 1. Step 2 is getting a face to face meeting, for which there is no substitute.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

talk dirty. the guys gotta be starved for sex. even if its gay sex over the phone.


We're about to enter a Great Depression. Don't you want a president who's already dressed for it?

------------ I'm making it up as I go along.
 

I have a somewhat different opinion on the matter, but looking in from the other side. I've spoken with a lot of kids who got my name off the career services website, and to be honest, I'm not really interested in making any new friends (yet).

If I think he/she can handle the job and fit in, I basically say, "all right let's skip the rest of the BS like 'my typical day' and 'what excites me about banking'. Tell you what, send me your resume, and i'll make sure it gets to the right person, and good luck!"

The recruiters and higher-up interviewers will be able to judge him better as a potential employee, and I feel like impressing me should be the least of his/her worries.

-- Support WSO.com and visit these links! Financial Modeling Training Guide to Finance Interviews
 

I got the same question and am interested in what people are thinking!

I do think you should aim for a more personal interaction such as meeting, but have to make sure the person implies it or maybe it would naturally make sense to meet. Otherwise, if you meet and ask same questions you asked on the phone, you will only waste the person's time, which will put you in a negative light.

Do what you want not what you can!
 

You shouldn't be nervous that will ruin the call... the best advice i got for networking calls was get them to talk about themselves they feel comfortable and you don';t have to do all the talking think of a couple of qs to ask shuch as- what were some obstacles u faced in ur career and how did u overcome them... also u shud have ur finance "story" prepped

good luck

 

Going straight to the point is a good thing, but I would say have intelligent and specific questions, the topics you mentioned sound good. Be to the point and know exactly what you want out of that conversation.

 

Depending on where the conversation goes, ask what he thinks about your skill set and if he has any thoughts on other opportunities for you. If you manage to impress him, he will keep you in mind for a future opportunity, or potentially forward you along to another colleague.

The goal during networking should be to have another email address/phone number you can call after this one. Also, keep a record of who you called, and when, and what you talked about, and current/potential next steps. Trust me on this, it will keep you organized and motivated.

This has gotten me so many interviews down the line (4+) INCLUDING my current job.

 

The goal during networking should be to have another email address/phone number you can call after this one. Also, keep a record of who you called, and when, and what you talked about, and current/potential next steps. Trust me on this, it will keep you organized and motivated.

This^. I always say "It was really nice talking with you x, I enjoyed learning about y industry. Is there any other alumni from [your school] that you could put me in touch with so I can learn more about [something specific you talked about like deals, sectors, whatever it happens to be].

This was given to me by an alum who works in PE and he used it to land 4 or 5 offers and I have a 100% success rate using this template. Of course feel free to reword when necessary to make it natural for you.

 

I think perhaps jackofalltrades and I are talking about different situations. If you are cold calling an alumni or something, I agree - cut the BS.

However, if you have a connection and have a chance to setup a meal with someone that can actually do something about giving you a job (not just the analyst than can put it in the right pile), then I stand by my advice. If the senior guy leaves the table thinking you're a good kid, you're golden.

  • Capt K
- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

He asked for your resume and to set up a phone call for next week. He already knows you are interested and that phone call is your interview.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

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