Questions to ask an MD - Researching the company

So I was cold emailing a few nights ago for a summer analyst position, and surely enough get an email tonight from an MD at a boutique asking to chat.

Problem is, it's tomorrow and I'm not sure what to ask. I'm going to be researching the company, but any/all guidance about what to ask him would be highly appreciated!

 

You can ask about his career path, deals he has worked on*, any advice he would have for you, what the culture of the firm is like, etc.

*you could say you are really interested in the firm, and would love to hear more about ____ deal. Just disclaim you understand if he can't talk about such and such deal due to confidentiality issues.

Basically just show you are really interested, and get him to like you.

 
Dubsfan7:
You can ask about his career path, deals he has worked on*, any advice he would have for you, what the culture of the firm is like, etc.

*you could say you are really interested in the firm, and would love to hear more about ____ deal. Just disclaim you understand if he can't talk about such and such deal due to confidentiality issues.

Basically just show you are really interested, and get him to like you.

^

If you ain't buy side what are you doing on Wall St.? Gimme something good sport...
 
Best Response

Just to add onto Dubsfan7's comment is that people love to talk about their own career and experiences. Therefore, if you can personalize the questions (frame everything such that he explains everything from his perspective/experience), the more he will enjoy the conversation. I would also ask him how a deal team works together, and how much he interacts/mentors analysts.

My best guess is that since it's a boutique, there is a lot more analyst to MD interaction. After he pitches this concept (there's more collaboration at my firm than at a bulge-bracket), then in your follow-up/thank you note, you can cite that as one of the things you find appealing about the firm and are excited about the prospect of learning from him.

 

When I had interviews for my internship at a BB in London, some of my interviewers were MD's (there was even one MD who was already more than 25years at the bank).

In my experience, the more senior the interviewer is the more relaxed the interview. Senior bankers are much more focused on the fit-side of the interview. The MD that had more than 25 years of experience, he first introduced himself and then asked if I had any questions about banking. The whole interview we just talked about all sorts of subjects, from politics to his career to whatever.

My advice would be to be self-confident and to prepare many questions to ask.

Good luck

 
yeahright:

how big are you
whats your favorite chocolate
are you married
are you open minded
do you want the premium package

I couldn't stop laughing at this one.

********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
 

Tough to make any recommendations without info... such as the purpose of the info session. Is the goal to get a job? What level? Any specific group? Is this guy an MD in your group/area of interest?

Huge advantage is that he's an alum, try to make a connection there. Getting people (especially successful alum) talking about their college experience generally results in a positive conversation.

 

In my (quite extensive) interview experience, questions don't really matter. If you absolutely crush the interview, you can literally ask any question, short of what are you favorite colored socks, and it won't matter. The question portion of any interview is essentially a 5 minute time filler. On the flip side, if you fumble the interview but ask the most insightful banking questions ever conceived, it won't make a bit of difference. I usually lead with the classic "Tell me about your background (lol)", with a real interested look on my face, if he didn't do the obligatory 2 minute intro. I'm sure the question portion of the interview is every banker's favorite.

Spark notes: do well in the actual interview.

 

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