How can I turn this Lucky Coincidence into an Internship Offer
Hello everyone,
My mother got upgraded on her last flight on a Inter-European flight and got into a long conversation with her seat neighbor on the plane. After she mentioned that I'm studying at a target school, still looking for an summer internship, the man gave out his business card and told her that I should send him an email with my résumé: Jackpot. Turns out that he's the global IBD co-chairman of a top tier firm. Since a "Hi, Here's my Résumé" won't make the cut, any suggestions on how I should proceed?
Thanks!
I think the process would be Coincidence -> email -> coffee -> interview -> offer
I second that.
Third.
I'd call first to introduce myself and jog his memory. Only after I have made my intention known I'd send the e-mail.
For a global IBD co-chairman I wouldn't - maybe calling works better for VP level and below
Agreed, anyone giving a card knows they're giving out their phone number. Phone calls are harder to ignore than an email. He knows he's given you an opportunity, grab it by the balls and have the courage to talk to him. Says way more than a thousand words.
dontbugme (ironic name BTW) it would be best IMO if you called sooner rather than later. The reason for this is that he may not recall his encounter with your Mom so you want to take advantage of the opportunity as soon as you can.
In parallel, I would research the firm and prepare how you want to introduce yourself, what you are seeking, what you bring to the table, and why to all of the above. Good Luck and let us know how it goes!
April Fools'?
No IBD global chairman is going to want to cut out 30 minutes to have coffee with the child of someone they met once upon a time. At the analyst level - let alone SA level - your MO should be making others' lives easier and creating as little distress as possible.
You should try and capitalize on stroke of fortune but going about it by asking the arguably busiest person at the firm for his time is probably not the right way around it. Send him your resume with a concise email explaining you connection and your enthusiasm for the opportunity and end by thanking him for passing along your resume.
Give him a call - you're going to get his assistant anyway. Explain the situation to her and make her like you. Then email the guy and cc the assistant. Ask him to put you in contact with someone in HR or someone who is in charge of hiring. Making the assistant like you is key - that way she will follow up with him in a slow part of the day and mention you and he'll be more likely to remember to email your resume on and if he doesn't maybe the secretary will with the original email / story.
Bud Fox the sh*t out of this opportunity, kid.
Jokes aside, if he gave his card to your mother with the offer (empty or not) to talk to you, take advantage of it. Who knows what will happen.
You don't need to do anything differently than if it was an analyst. Just because someone is high up in a organization does not mean that they are harder to talk/connect with. The fact that he willingly talked with your mom, shows that he is probably a nice guy. You seem a little timid, but there is no reason to be. Put your balls on the table, and enjoy the free connection that you just got.
so did your mom join the mile high club?
Are you serious, people are recommending you call? That's pretty bold in my opinion, what are you going to say? " Hi my mom met you on an airplane and now I want a job?" Giving out his card isn't an invitation to call, if they guy said email, then email and potentially ask for 1. 15 min of his time to chat 2. anyone else in the firm that would be good for you to talk to.
Send a nice email where you introduce yourself, give 2 lines on your background and why you're qualified and then the close where you ask for a quick chat or for another reference. Mention that you applied online so he can forward onto recruiters and flag your resume.
You send an email introducing yourself and ask for a phone conversation. Attach your resume for his reference so he can get to know you prior to speaking with you. The email should be sent as if you'd like to pick his brain and learn from his experiences, not as if you're applying for a job. The phone conversation, however, will essentially be an initial screening. If he likes you, he'll send your resume over to the appropriate individual.
This is how I got interviews at both McKinsey and my current PE firm.
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