HELP! informational interview
I have contacted some alums and they said they are willing to have a cup of coffee with me this Friday.
My gpa is 3.6 (rising senior). My concentration is econ and CS. I have done a lot of school work like TAs, graders, and working with professors but I am totally lack of internships.
Until recent, I had thought of going to grad school so I missed the SA recruiting season, and decided not to go to grad school...
How am I supposed to appeal myself?
Any advice for doing informational interview or getting a job?
I will really appreciate on your advice!
Ivy school thats possibly a non-target? Wow. Some kids on this sight are truly delusional.
How am I supposed to position myself....? or what should I talk about during the informational interview? could you give me some advice?
@"jss09" sorry if my categorization made you upset. Some of the companies came for info session, but not that many as far as I know...
agree, info interviews should be non-structured. ask about their business, how they got in, and keep asking questions unless they change the flow. I've had info interviews when I was in UG where the guy talked my ear off about his life story, which is fine, but you never leave it open ended. say something like "thanks for sharing all of that with me. it sounds like you really worked hard and it paid off. what advice would you give to someone in my position?" I think this is better than telling him/her your elevator speech because it lets them either say "I can't help you, but X can," "we've got an opening, are you free next week," or probe further (what are your goals/interests/etc).
as far as your appeal, be genuinely curious and interested in your interviewer, everybody has a story to tell and wisdom to share, make sure you're listening. people are naturally attracted to someone who listens to them.
informational interview.... Help me out? (Originally Posted: 03/07/2007)
I'm currently doing my undergrad at UFlorida, and taking an easy elective, "Career Management," in addition to my full time upper level finance courses.
As part of a class project, I need ten informational interviews from people in any of these three occupations:
1) Investment Banking (corporate finance/M&A) 2) Hedge Fund Management 3) Management Consulting
I'd greatly appreciate any feedback from you guys, as I've come straight from the military and I have no contacts in any of these fields.
I can't post the interview questions here, as the assignment will go through plagiarism software; but I will post up the answers here after I turn it in, so others can benefit as well.
The questions are very basic, as per the project instructions, and should only take up about 20 minutes of your time.
If you can do it, e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send you the questions.
Those of you in London, I'd particularly like to get feedback from you, if you can.
Thanks a million, guys.
Dude, that is not an easy assignment...
10 informational interviews could suffice to land you a summer analyst/job to tell you the truth. If you get 10 legit "informational interviews" from bankers via Florida, I give you props.
informational interview (Originally Posted: 08/25/2006)
I will be visiting New York in about a week to meet with some IB contacts I have made and I also hope to do informational interviews at some banks where I don't have any contacts. Here are some questions I hope someone can answer:
How can I go about getting an informational interview at a bank where I don't have any contacts?
If I go to a non-target school, do these "informational interviews" have the potential to serve as a 1st round interview for banks that don't visit my school?
Also, I have some basic ideas about what I plan to ask at these interviews, but any additional advice on what topics to ask about would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
it's very tough to get an II because the ibankers are so god damn busy. after working 100 hour weeks i don't think they would have the energy to see you, but in the off chance that they do, make good use of it and maybe it'll lead somewhere else. good luck.
not sure about the ad hoc interview, but from b-school there's usually a set procedure. more times than not, you have to go through the recruiter, who will then arrange an interview for you with someone. otherwise, your best bet is via a referral or other connection, or at the least try to pull the alumni card.
take the interview seriously and hit them hard afterwards with emails and phone calls
have a lot of good questions ready..bankers hate it when u arent prepared
bump
First In-Person Information Interview (Originally Posted: 02/06/2014)
I've done plenty of phone calls for informational/networking purposes, but for the first time I'm doing "coffees" and "breakfasts" in person, 4 in one weekend. Because it's the weekend, I assume it's okay to be in more relaxed attire, I'm thinking polo and slacks. I'm also going to bring copies of my resume and my leather bound Binder (the type millions of other job applicants have). Thoughts? Anything I should expect? Any etiquette I should be aware of?
No, don't bring your resume and your Binder. This is coffee. This is a regular conversation. You sit there and ask them about the superbowl/snowstorm whatever and then edge into their background. This is just so they can see you're not (hopefully) a dork and are easy to get along with. Don't mention anything regarding a job or internship. They know why you're there. If they like you they'll ask you to email your resume in PDF. Good luck.
This.
Thanks for the advice guys, I totally see where you're coming from, BUT in my case I straight up asked them at the start if they had any advice on getting jobs either in this country (foreign country that is kind of hard for Americans to work in) or with their firm in this country. They suggested grabbing coffee instead of writing out an email. One guy already asked me to send him my resume. Should I at least bring my resume and Binder for that coffee?
Bump
ER Info interview (Originally Posted: 03/28/2011)
Got an ER info interview coming up. I'm not into ER but have interests in IB, but was referred into this info interview. What should I ask besides the background? I know nothing about the ER aside from looking at the markets here and there.
Is there a guide as to what questions I should ask besides asking what the person's industry is and what he thinks about it?
If you know IB modelling, in my experience, you can handle the modelling questions (if any) being thrown at you. As side from that sorta technical knowledge, its a good idea to develop a pitch on a stock you like. This is relatively easy if you just seek out stuff from the media and other research reports. Try and find out what your interviewer covers- you're up the creek if you pitch something he/she covers.
Ask him about his coverage universe, things he likes and doesn't like. If he is at a big firm, ask how things are different from there and a small firm. Ask him if there are any metrics that are exclusive to his space Ask what he looks for in associates he hires Ask what he thinks would be the most valuable use of your time while you are looking for a job Ask him what he thinks the single most important attribute is of those successful in ER
Great "ask" strategies for info interviews? (Originally Posted: 11/08/2010)
Hey guys, first post here. I've set up an in-person informational interview in NY with an alum. I'm a non-Amherst LAC kid, so recruiters are few and far between and this informational interview feels like a big opp. to me. I'm a junior, so trying to get into the SA2011 class. Does anyone have any awesome strategies/lines to make my "can-you-get-me-an-interview" ask?
Also, besides non-square-toed shoes, what can I wear that will help me NOT look like a chode to an informational interview?
Thanks!
gray suit , white shirt, simple
he knows what the meeting is about. %90 of the time, if he likes you, he'll ask to see your resume to forward.
If not, say something like, I'm really interested in the SA program, is there any way you can pit me in touch with the individual that would be running it etc.
gray suit , white shirt, simple blue tie
he knows what the meeting is about. %90 of the time, if he likes you, he'll ask to see your resume to forward.
If not, say something like, I'm really interested in the SA program, is there any way you can pit me in touch with the individual that would be running it etc.
informational interview - Lined up a few interviews with MDs at a few boutiques (Originally Posted: 02/08/2011)
So I've lined up a few informational interviews with MDs at a few boutique IBs, and was hoping to get thoughts on the best approach to these sorts of things. Is this the venue to demonstrate technical skills, fit, etc..?
What do you guys try to do in your informational interviews, and how do you do it?
Many thanks in advance for your input!
Please take advantage of the WSO search function, I am 99.9% positive that this topic has been discussed before.
Heres my advice:
Prepare for them as if it were a real interview - because it may quickly turn into one if they take control, which is actually a positive, since you're now being considered a candidate. So have your "story" down pact.
Furthermore, you want to use this opportunity to build a relationship so keep it casual. People love to talk about themselves - questions about their career path and background would be appropriate.
Stay away from the technical questions, this is dry and boring - if you can't avoid it, stick to high-level industry questions (direction and recent trends in the business).
Good luck.
Captoed has it right, ask these guys about their story and they will love to tell you. Also, have some specific questions lined up for them to make sure you keep them talking. Always end with more networking as well.
Be prepared to drive it. I've info interviews where we just shot the bull for an hour, some that turned semi-interview (but not technical), and some that would have been over in 5 minutes had I not been able to come up with 10 questions to keep them going.
I would be surprised if you got a technical and if you did it would probably be really basic.
informational interview - Anyone have any advice or experience? (Originally Posted: 01/05/2009)
So I have an "informational interview" with a VP at a BB at the end of the week that I hope to swing into a first round interview for an sa gig (i go to a semitarget and obviously this is going to be a rough year). Anyone have any advice/experience on what to expect and how to approach this? I've started doing some industry specific research but am a little clueless beyond that. I have decent finance background. Thanks.
i think this topic has been covered on here pretty thoroughly in the past. do a good search.
quick tips: smile... relax... be yourself. they are more concerned with your personality and displayed confidence than anything (not cockiness).
Ask questions about them that will show your interest and show that you've done your homework. Ask them about how they got to where they are, how they ended up in the group they are in and things of that nature. That will get the discussion going towards how to get a job which is where you want to conversation to ultimately go.
Read up on the bank in dealbook or look up deals on bloomberg if you have access that the bank may have done or announced lately.
Research transactions the VP was likely involved in as these will be great topics of conversation. Make sure you have a good sense for what's currently going on in the economy. The chances he/she will ask you any technical (finance) questions are low so don't allocate much of your prep time to technical topics. Be sure you understand what investment bankers actually do and the role we play in the greater transaction process.
Be yourself, ask intelligent questions, and you'll be fine. Be sure to follow up with a thank you note.
informational interview for FT Recruiting (Originally Posted: 08/08/2013)
I know there are a few posts about informational interviews but I haven't seen this question being answered.
People say to treat an iinformational interview less of a "real interview by reading questions" and more of a casual conversation. Try to butter up the banker, etc.
Would that be viewed as wasting his or her time? If we take 15-30 minutes out of his or her work time and just talk about common interests and having us to figure out the banker.
Also, if I were to meet someone for coffee, how would I go about insisting to pay? Should I just buy them a drink and assume they like regular coffee with milk? Or do we walk to the cashier and order together and pay there and then?
Last but not least, I am also meeting the head of HR for a MM bank. What questions should be asked and how should it be different from meeting with bankers?
It's not wasting their time. Don't conduct the meeting like a real interview by reading them a list of questions - that's not a casual conversation. That's how I did my first ever informational interview and it went awful until I turned off the questions and just started talking to him. Ask him about his experiences, what advice he might have for you. I dunno, if you can hold a conversation with a girl at a party you should be able to conduct an informational interview with a banker.
I've only had a couple coffee/lunch chats, and each time we paid for our own stuff. T
Same as #1. Ask them about their career, their lives, etc. How often do you think an HR person gets to talk about themselves to someone else? They'll definitely appreciate it. You can shift the conversation into about interviews by asking "what can I do to best position myself to interview for X role".
So these "informational interviews"... (Originally Posted: 06/22/2009)
First of all, what is the standard procedure for contacting alumni? Send e-mail expressing interest in the alumni/company, attach resume, and ask for a chance to talk to them?
Also, are these informational interviews typically conducted over the phone or in person? It seems pretty expensive to be traveling/flying to New York just for such an informal interview, even if you do manage to line up a few in one day
I keep the emails pretty informal. Just that I'm interested in IB/finance and would like to talk to them about their firm/position. For the most part, alumni are pretty receptive to helping out (at least the ones I've contacted). I think the most important thing is to let them know how you really want to get into their industry and they'll be more likely to help you out (just don't come across as desperate).
Should we attach our resumes also when sending out e-mails?
I don't think it would hurt but I wouldn't think an alumni is going to ignore your email just because he hasn't seen your resume. After the initial conversation, I usually ask if the contact can take a look at my resume and offer his opinion on it. This way, they have your resume in their hands (and can usually give you a really good critique) and it gives you an excuse to get in touch with them later on in the future.
A) Please look at archives, this topic has been gone over 100 too many times.
B) NO, in an introductory e-mail, DO NOT attach resume. You simply e-mail them introducing yourself, saying how you came upon them, and that you are interested in their field and would like the opportunity to ask them some questions via a follow-up e-mail or phone call.
C) If they want to help, THEY will ask for your resume. They all know why you are really e-mailing them.
D) Meet in person? Definitely not something you request unless you have been corresponding for a while, and if any one, they will be the one requesting to meet in person.
..search archives for rest.
When is an informational interview successful? (Originally Posted: 07/25/2014)
What is your usual criteria for a successful informational interview? I had one earlier this week with a VP and had lots of discussion points prepared to highlight my interest in his particular group. I was asking some questions about his background and he sort of abruptly asked me for my resume to "pass it on to the right people" and try to "get some interviews going although he didn't promise anything". He also referred me to a couple of other people and ended the call. It's obviously great that he's helping me out but I didn't have time to get many of my points across, and hence didn't really get a chance to "impress" as much in those 15mn. Did he feel like I was beating around the bush? Is this a red flag or was he just busy?
Seems like he was just busy and could tell that you were prepared. 'hope you sent your resume with a thank you note. If you do get called for an interview and/or happen to have a great conversation with others he mentions, e-mail him and let him know. A few days before the interview, I would ask for a quick (20 mins or so) mock interview on the phone and feedback/tips, etc. If this guy is pushing for you, he would want you to succeed. That way his street cred in the bank also goes up because he brought in a good candidate. Good luck!
Thanks a lot for the reply. I did send a thank you note along with my resume and a few lines about which groups I'm most interested in (he asked for that). It's been about 10 days now and I haven't heard since, though. The first time around he also took around a week just to set up the call but I'm still getting a little worried about my email getting lost in the piles. What would be a good time to follow up?
And also, how do you even follow up in that case? I don't want to be a pain, he's clearly busy
I would just reply to the email you guys exchanged and tell him that you sent him your resume, etc. and ask if there is anything else remaining for you to do. This is a non-confrontational way to remind him to act.
Help with an informational interview (Originally Posted: 04/02/2010)
A family friend set me up with an informational interview with someone very high up at a BB. I'm not trying to ask him for an internship, and I'm not even trying to work in the same division.
I was hoping you guys could give me some advice as to how to prepare for this. I've never had an informational interview before, but I understand how much it could help me to be on this guys good side so I want to be as prepared as possible. Thanks
Mod Edit: Search please. This has been discussed many times before
Not to be rude or anything, but definitely use the search function... there are lots of good threads dealing with this subject (its how I got an idea of what to do in info interviews). You can also try out the WSO networking guide, but honestly, it didn't really help me out too much. But really, its not too complicated... Ask about his job/career, how he broke into the industry, what advice he would give, just general, open-ended questions and then shut up and listen/learn. Definitely don't try to "show off" or impress the guy though. Your major goal here is to make this guy like you and possibly help you out in the future, so don't do something to turn him off (like asking some really obscure, specific technical question that no one will know the answer to).
And yeah, I wouldn't outright ask for an internship or any help at this point (unless you're really desperate for something this upcoming summer). Just start building the relationship now and then work on developing it over the next few months/years until you actually are ready to apply for SA or jobs or whatever.
the secret to informational interviewing is making a connection between you and the other person. yea, ask him about what he does, but hes going to forget you unless he can attach something to your name. What works is if he went to the same school, know the same person, like the same stuff, etc. Connect with this person and you win.
informational interview with a senior, ex-IBer (Originally Posted: 09/17/2012)
I do not post here often so I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong forum.
I just came back from an hour and a half informational interview with an ex-Investment Banker. I found his life, his story(ies), and anything else that came out of his mouth absolutely fascinating. He was also very honest with me regarding the culture, competitive nature of the industry and etc.
However, being the fool that I was I did the following things wrong. 1) I showed up without having eaten in 9 hours 2) Having walked for an hour during this duration 3) Mentioning to him that I was having trouble following him along because I had not eaten in an hour and that I had had an interview in the early morning
Unfortunately for me his response was - "Oh wow, geez" as in "Maybe I should slow down a little".
I tried my best to pick up whatever was left of my reputation but to no avail. I am sure I asked good questions, he commended me on my effort - but in the end I couldn't bring myself to ask if he knows anyone else I could talk to. I asked him whether he is particularly fond of any IB boutiques but he briefly showed me a way to screen them out. Hence, I didn't have the balls to ask if I could actually meet one of his friends.
All in all, I had a great time. I could ask him questions for ages. It was supposed to be half an hour but it went for 1.5 hours. I prepared about 20 questions too. The reason I regret it so much is because I knew I could have done a better job had I been more refreshed (as in had I eaten). I felt he enjoyed our chat, I just don't think I made an outstanding impression.
It was my first informational interview with an IBer. Maybe I should have had more experience with junior level or other people before approaching this man.
Anyways, I wanted to ask whether you guys have any idea of something I could say in the thank you email to build up my rapport,..... maybe ask for a second meeting in the future???
Also, hearing similar experiences is also a bit comforting...
Hey if it went for 1.5 hours I don't think it was as bad as you make it out to be.
Also chill with the second meeting... this isn't dating. You don't have to meet the next weekend.
informational interview, what next? (Originally Posted: 01/16/2012)
I have a scheduled informational interview coming up in 2 days with an analyst, this is a small HF. Anyway i did some digging on linkedin and found out a bit about his background. I read the WSO networking guide but I'm still unsure about a few things.
When would be a normal time to follow up? Do you normally send a thank you email afterward on the same day? Obviously you are trying to network, when would be a comfortable time to ask for a reference to someone? I'm also unsure on how to maintain the relationship after the first meet. Do you ask for another meeting in a few weeks?
This is assuming all goes well.
Always follow up with the person with a specific goal in mind. I suggest you send a short thank you email for the meeting and ask that if you have further questions if you can shoot them a quick email or meet up again over coffee. It's like dating a girl, don't be overzealous just slowly build it up. The best way to maintain contact with people is to remember things that interest them in the informational interview and send them short articles or videos every few months about those interests.
Don't be too eager, just be confident and be yourself.
Are you serious... Don't do this.
Coffee/informational interviews (Originally Posted: 11/05/2010)
What's appropriate to wear to informational interviews?
What if the person you're talking to is a recent grad and was your acquaintance in college?
pants, button down, blazer - no tie.
unless the informal interview is in the office - then wear a suit and tie.
When I was in college my dad set up a meeting for me with the CEO of very large scale private equity firm. He asked me to meet him downstairs at the Four Seasons hotel in NY at 8am and we'd eat breakfast together. This guy being a big shot - and the Four Seasons being decidedly not casual (at least from my experience), I decided to show up in a suit and tie.... he was in jeans and a polo! - I felt a little bit awkward.
Then another time I had an informal meeting at the bar in this hotel in Vail over the holidays w/ another family friend who was an MD at Lehman (when it still existed) and I showed up in jeans and a polo (standard vail attire). I don't even know why he brought one and I was completely shocked to see the first person in vail history wearing one, but he was wearing a SUIT with a tie and a fucking silver clip and all right in the middle of the damn hotel on the base of the mountain! Everyone else was in ski stuff sipping on micro-brews and this guy was decked out in valentino blackberrying insanely and drinking gin and tonic! Awkward again!
So that's why I say blazer and pants... because you just don't know what to wear and what they will wear - so you go neutral so you don't stand out either way.
He must have been working on a targeted search for Snowmass - looking for some horizontal action.
And to further threadjack (sorry), am I the only one Jonesing to get a piece of the Whistler/Blackcomb IPO?
For the sake of staying on topic, I don't think you can go wrong with slacks and a dress shirt (aka suit minus tie and jacket), assuming you're not actually meeting at the person's office.
informational interviews...... (Originally Posted: 08/12/2013)
Sup Gents,
Recently begun networking using information I found on Mergers and Inquisitions and managed to land myself a few informational interviews with boutique I-banks (will move to MM/BB with experience).
My questions to all you experienced monkeys are:
What questions do you focus on during your sessions (banker's background, how he/she broke in, what their ideal summer analyst would be or something more technically oriented?)
What is the goal of your 30-45 minutes? (Get the banker to like you or impress him enough to think about you for future offers?)....you know what I mean
Do you focus on the banker and let him talk about himself as much as possible while answering questions or do you, more mechanically use your list of questions as reference?
and...
notebook?
P.S these are all big boys, no associates, analysts, or VP's
thanks boys, as always input is greatly appreciated
Don't ask technicals - most of these guys have forgotten them. Just get their life story, make sure they do most of the talking (but get your story in and what you hope to do). Also, make sure you ask outright if they have any openings as of right now. If they don't, ask for referrals.
At the end of the day, it's a numbers game.
^gotcha,
With regards to asking about openings, I'm looking to position myself for a summer intership next summer, as I'm leaving to school in the uk from sept-dec
I was planning on asking when a good time would be to contact them about summer positions/when their firm recruits for summer. thoughts?
So, you are in UK? If so, how did you find networking in the UK different from US so far.
I'm in Toronto now (live here), but go to school in UK. I'll be networking in UK this fall, PM me and we can have a convo about the differences. So far people in Canada have been very friendly and informative, not too any people take me serious as a rising sophmore tho, most tell me to chill out and get good grades instead of stressing about next summer's job, thoughts?
Information Interview Help (Originally Posted: 11/03/2010)
My career center director forwarded my resume to a recruiter at Morgan Stanley in their finance summer analyst program. The recruiter just emailed me and wants to have a meeting with me to discuss this program. I am not really interested in their finance division, as I want to go into investment banking, but I will meet with the recruiter tomorrow. I really appreciate my career center director pulling this off for me, but during the meeting with the recruiter, should I bring up in any way that I am more interested in front office positions, without sounding unappreciative, or would you advice me not to bring it up at all? Thanks in advance.
Hmmm... that is a very good question. What I would do, and have done in previous interviews, have left that for the inevitable "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" You can also say that you want the job, but ask if it is possible to move laterally in the organization after you have more experience. I would also do everything you can to get the job and sound as appreciative as possible - you can always turn down an offer but you can't "accept" a rejection.
Don't bring it up at all. Go in there and engage conversations as if you are very interested in finance. You will never know if you need a back-up. See how the first interview goes and see if it leads to anywhere. But just say you are interested in MS.....etc.
As to the advice above on seeing yourself in 5 years saying you want to move to FO. You might as well not go to the interview tomorrow as you will be dinged right away. BO HR hates hearing that you want to move to FO.
Wow.....well. If he says its a bad idea, don't do it. Better play it safe man.
Thanks for the help everyone.
Information Interview (Originally Posted: 11/13/2013)
So I have talked to a VP at a BB IBD info session. The first time I followed up, he didn't reply. I did it again on Monday, then an analyst reached out to me today on behalf of that VP, saying would like to set up a time for a phone call. Has this happened to anyone before? Is this a sign of anything?
I've only done few phone calls like this before, do not have much experience with it. But from my knowledge I should do 80% of the talking during the phone call. So what's the better way of doing it like asking specific job-related questions? (i.e. what does your group do and what role is the group playing in a deal?). Thanks in advance for advice!
No, this is an informational interview. THEY do the majority of the talking. You ask easy, open-ended questions and they respond.
MD is probably busy and handed you off, this is good. If he didn't like you he wouldn't have introduced you to an analyst. Now you have 2 contacts. Think of some good questions, there are plenty around on the site (look at the interviews).
I see. Very insightful advice, thanks for the encouragement!
Remember that they do the most of the talking, not you. It's critical believe me. When you are nervous on the phone you would just go on and on.
Yeah, I'll let them talk.
What do you mean by "go on and on", like asking questions?
Definitely let them do most of the talking, and have questions ready to minimize any awkward silences. Although they'll do most of the talking (definitely don't talk 80% of the time) be prepared to answer any questions just like you would in a real interview. Also schedule it for when you have some free time- I've had multiple conversations that were supposed to be 5-15 minutes end up lasting well over an hour.
Thanks for the input! I guess just asking questions won't make a phone call last over an hour. So how did you do it
informational interviews (Originally Posted: 03/08/2007)
What should I hope to accomplish from an informational interview? Obviously its one of the best ways to network and that it could potentially lead to an internship but Should the goal be to get the guys business card/contact info so that I could keep in contact with the guy. Should I be blunt, and just tell them that I want to work for that company etc...
I've done a couple of them already and they don't seem to go to far. Heck I even ended up drinking at a bar with one of these guys and when I did a follow up the next day, I got no reply?? Couple months ago I had one with an associate at LB and I left the place without much progress. I'm a first year student(please don't post replies saying get out here your too young, I go to a school in Canada so I have to start now in order to get to NY) and my school isn't a target for the BB's so these informational interviews don't come easy for me. Therefore I can't afford to waste another one next time.
After attending a couple workshops and lessons on etiquette I looked back on my LB meeting and realized that I made Tons of mistakes. LOL I actually brought a pamphlet from another BB to the meeting with that guy because I came straight from an info session. I was also under the belief that these info meetings were more informal and that they weren't real interviews, as a result I had to answer typical interview questions on the spot....big mistake I now realize that everything is an interview with these guys.
Anyways, Can you guys perhaps give tips, advice on what to expect and what to do at these things and also your own experiences. Did anyone here get jobs out of them? Thanks alot
I've done a lot of these over last summer and the semester.
Tips: -Have a list of questions prepared, about 15 minutes worth. But don't read them straight from the page, make it a conversation (get them to like you). -Don't be late -Start of an informational interview with something like "I am interested in the industry and I am trying to learn more about what professionals do in the real world" or some variation. This says, I have an interest in the opportunites available, but I would rather learn than network at this point. -Some will go terribly, don't worry. -Ask to take notes if in person, or just do it if it is on the phone. -Also, ask them if there is anyone else in the field that you could contact for a "different perspective" or something, to keep it going. -Follow up with a thank you note and ask a decently constructed question based on the conversation you had. -Last tip: Make them like you, thats the only way they will help you. Don't ask for an interview, at least not right away.
Oh yeah, don't let your boss see you make these calls if you decide to do them from work (I found out they don't really like their employees networking on the job, so they can leave and get a better job)
Never directly ask them for a job or an interview, especially on the first meeting.
informational interviews (This may or may not have been covered before) (Originally Posted: 04/18/2012)
So I did use the search function and tried to find previous information about this, but I found surprisingly little. I've got an informational interview for an alum in consulting in a couple of days and I'm not sure exactly how to drag out the conversation. I know to ask them questions such as "I saw you were an English major, how did you make the transition into consulting? Was there a specific experience that sparked your interest?" But what other specific questions about themselves should I ask to get them talking? I know I'm not supposed to ask something like "tell me what a regular day is like as a consultant" as that is something googleable....
Also is it really ok to say "how can I best position myself to get an interview with FIRM NAME" that sounds incredibly corny/canned...
Ask for advice
just posted on a thread yesterday on this:
"Great job Boreed. To add to Oeros, I think after a quick chat, you need to very focused on getting your story right and be specific about it like:
Hi my name is XZY. I am reaching out to you when I saw your contact info on the alumn database. I am currently (insert background information, what you are studying). I am interested in working at (XYZ group at ABC and EFG banks). I have been doing (ABC: investment club, trading stocks, researching, networking) so far. "What can I do to position myself to interview with a (XYZ) group like this?"
It is important to engage in small talk. But it is more important to get your story straight and also what you want out from the conversation. If you were more direct (but polite) with your requests and specify on where you need help the most, it usually works out well.
Make sure that your pitch is natural and very smooth. Try to practice story telling. You need to summarize what is it that you are trying to get out from a conversation without sounding like a robot or sounding too casual. I think it is a balance.
Good luck and do keep me posted."
PM me and we'll go over a strategy
Thanks Pike, I messaged you, how much story telling should I be doing? I thought I'm supposed to be letting them talk?
She said she would be happy to refer me, thanks for the help guys...
Did you ask to be referred? Or did she decide to offer it?
Is it bad if I asked?
After about 20-25 mins after I ran out of questions, I said do you have any suggestions for someone in my position going forward in the recruiting process.
And she said stuff about the website, cleaning up the resume, etc. and then also mentioned I could also put in a referral for you, and I said, thanks, I saw this and that on the website, and if while I'm filling out the application form if I see a spot for a referral would it be okay to put your name down and she said yeah, she'd done it for many people before, she explained how it works and then said she's also not afraid to pester the HR person if necessary.
Not at all. Was just wondering because at this point I want to be more aggressive.
So did you send your resume in the cold email?
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