how to use connections
I have a question. I go to Princeton, and I see there is lots of room for networking. I can pull the grades, but can anyone give me advice on selling myself? I have a relative who works at Lehman Brothers in NY. Any suggestions on approaching him (I haven't met him, but I know pretty much his whole family). If anyone has gone to Princeton or any Ivy League school, do you have any advice on making connections? I come from a small town in the South, so I'm not so in tune with how to interact in a quick-paced atmosphere.
Also, any general tips on getting into iBanking? I'm working out so that I can eventually join some club teams (I've always liked sports, just been to skinny to do anything but track), and I am reading NYTimes from page to page...any other reading advice? Any other activities that you think will build my willpower, body, and will empower me socially?
Also one more question...how do I go about landing internships right now? I wanted to go to the Goldman Sachs camp for freshmen, but I'm not a minority (I'm from South India)...right now, I'm interning with a state senator and researching.
Thanks!
anyone?
In order to answer a lot of the questions you asked it would help to have some more background. GPA, Major? etc.
That being said, the first thing I would do is not worry: you are a freshman -- you have PLENTY of time to develop into an eager beaver analyst. That being said, you should learn as much about iBanking as you can over the next few years. What does an analyst do? Modeling, Valuation analysis, etc...try to take a few finance classes where you use Excel. Even developing PPT skills will help. This website is a good place to start.
Along those lines, here are some general tips:
Once you polish up on WHY i-Banking and you understand fully what it means to be an analyst (monkey), you should use every connection you can get (this shouldn't happen until early your Junior year at the earliest in my opinion). If you have a relative at Lehman that you haven't met, I would get his number, call him up and try to set up a time you guys could meet for lunch or coffee. You can tell him you've been "thinking about investment banking and you wanted to learn more." DO NOT suggest that he help you get a job (at least not at first)...he should offer to submit your resume and "help it along" once the time comes... as long as you demonstrate a strong understanding and desire to do the job.
Practice practice practice for you interviews. Can't emphasize this enough. One of the few things you have control over is how you hold yourself and your pitch. YOu have an insatiable appetite to learn, a strong work ethic and a genuine interest in investment banking -- you have to believe it to sell it. If you don't really believe it, practice. The more you can come across as a sincere, hard-working and responsible guy the better.
REading advice: Wall Street Journal...also, check out our forum on Reading Materials in the General iBanking Discussion Board.
"Empower you socially"? First off, if you want to be empowered socially, don't use phrases like "empowered socially." judging from your post, it sounds like you might be a bit too "tight". A lot of iBankers want to know that you will be fun to hang out with at 3am when you're finishing a pitch or on the 2nd 100hr week in a row. you need to develop a sense of humor and confidence over the next few years. maturity is huge. iBAnking isn't rocket science, its hard fucking work...as an analyst, a lot of this is bitch work, but if you stick it out long enough, you start to get some of the interesting stuff -- or you can be like me an switch to private equity.
that's all for now...internships -- I never had one and i still got the job. i think they are a huge advantage if you can land one though...your relative might be able to help you out the summer before your senior year...but I wouldn't talk to him about thisuntil you leanr a lot more about the job. and even then not until early junior year.
good luck.
Hey, thanks for replying! I thought I'd include some more info real quick:
"In order to answer a lot of the questions you asked it would help to have some more background. GPA, Major? etc."
Economics major with a Math or Finance Certificate...3.80 GPA, hopefully getting up some more.
"That being said, the first thing I would do is not worry: you are a freshman -- you have PLENTY of time to develop into an eager beaver analyst. That being said, you should learn as much about iBanking as you can over the next few years. What does an analyst do? Modeling, Valuation analysis, etc...try to take a few finance classes where you use Excel. Even developing PPT skills will help. This website is a good place to start."
What are PPT skills? How can I use this website to learn about actual iBanking v. iBanking lifestyle?
Practice practice practice for you interviews. Can't emphasize this enough. One of the few things you have control over is how you hold yourself and your pitch. YOu have an insatiable appetite to learn, a strong work ethic and a genuine interest in investment banking -- you have to believe it to sell it. If you don't really believe it, practice. The more you can come across as a sincere, hard-working and responsible guy the better.
Any tips on how to practice?
"Empower you socially"? First off, if you want to be empowered socially, don't use phrases like "empowered socially." judging from your post, it sounds like you might be a bit too "tight". A lot of iBankers want to know that you will be fun to hang out with at 3am when you're finishing a pitch or on the 2nd 100hr week in a row. you need to develop a sense of humor and confidence over the next few years. maturity is huge. iBAnking isn't rocket science, its hard fucking work...as an analyst, a lot of this is bitch work, but if you stick it out long enough, you start to get some of the interesting stuff -- or you can be like me an switch to private equity.
Haha you kinda hit the nail on the head...I am kinda uptight, working on fixing it though.
Thanks!
bump
it looks like you're really on top of your shit, but as the mod said, you need to unwind a little. banks love hard workers who are on top of their shit, but make sure your social skills are honed well enough to interact with the bankers, who can be intimidating, who will be coming to your school for recruiting. in other words, if you're only a freshman, don't start worrying about it so much yet. enjoy college, make friends, get drunk/high, join a frat or a club and take on some responsibility outside of class. the whole college experience is so much more than just career preparation.
you have a really strong GPA from a top 5 university in a major that is quite common in ibanking. come fall, all the top banks will be coming to your school for recruiting. Make a good impression on the reps, get their contact info and follow up with emails expressing sincere interest. if you're able to sell yourself well enough, you shouldn't have a problem getting interviews as long as you are not a social handicap. if you're still a sophomore though, it might be a lot more difficult ofr you to land interviews with top banks unless you somehow really stand out. if you can't get any, don't let that bring you down, just keep your grades up and spend your 2nd year padding your resume with some type of professional-atmosphere work experience or extracurricular leadership.
once you get that interview, do everything the mod told you. read a lot (wsj, vault guides, anything that might shed light on the industry, capital markets, or economy), talk to people who are interested in the industry, and LEARN HOW TO SELL YOURSELF. do this by doing mock interviews with people, spending a lot of time answering those generic interview questions and rehearsing in front of a mirror, have someone video tape you doing mock interviews, shit like that. just learn to sound convincing and sincere.
you have a ton of time, use it wisely and you'll be fine
I've got a lot of Banking contacts. How do I reach out to them? (Originally Posted: 08/10/2011)
Over the past year, I've met and spoken to a handful of people that are Bankers/ work in the financial industry. Now that a new school year is about to start and its getting that time for on campus visits and stuff, how should I reach out to these people?
I was thinking something like that...
Hey this is X, we met at X. I have an interest in X field, I understand this is what you do. Do you mind scheduling a time where we can talk or I can ask you some questions.
How does that sound? just a rough sample i thought of.
perfect, keep reaching out to people it will help alot
You have a good template. It's helpful to rehash part of the conversation that you had with the contact. It will jog his memory, and he'll probably remember you.
should I keep most of our communication to email or should I eventually arrange for a time when we meet?
How to Follow Up with Past Contacts? (Originally Posted: 07/29/2013)
Hi!
I''m going to be graduating college at the end of this year and am going to be entering the job hunting process. I've made a decent amount of contacts through networking and I wanted to know what would be the best way for me to reach out to them again and know if they can help me obtain a FT job. The thing is that some of these people did help me with the junior summer internship process in terms of putting my name in the process/giving referrals, but nothing ever panned out, but I don't want it to look like I'm using them, so I'm confused on that end what would be the best way to go about doing this either through e-mail/phone call/etc...
Thanks
I'm going through a similar issue - meeting a lot of contacts but finding difficulty following up and especially making the ask. What did you do to follow up and keep in contact with them? I find that I'm receiving a very low [follow-up] response rate.
Unless you established very positive relationships, just reach out to them and update them on your situation. If they reply, you can ask them to pass your resume on. If they don't reply, I would follow up a couple more times before asking them to do so. Make them want to help you.
When I follow up with my contacts, I just update them on what I've done since our last talk and my immediate future plans. Unless you're direcly asking for something, it makes sense that response rate is low. Just keep at it, and build the relationships until it's time to start submitting applications - at which point you can ask directly if nothing else.
This is a very case-by-case scenario. Just get in touch with them again via email (thank them for assisting you earlier this summer), let them know what you've been up to, and simply ask if they'd be open to chatting with you, getting coffee, etc. Then take it from there.
Basically agree with above poster. It will be awhile before recruitment hits full stride, so just try to reinstate old relationships. Though most people are not dumb and know what you are after, but if they are/were willing to help you earlier this summer, then they will likely be receptive to speaking with you again.
I have been wondering this as well, but I am a rising junior looking to reach out to my contacts for SA recruiting coming up. So over this summer, I have connected with around 5-12 people in each large BB here in NYC, but I am having a hard time reaching back out to continue the relationship. There are some good points above, but for the initial contact only being several weeks ago, is it too soon to reach back out with an update or something else? Also, ive had one phone call or one coffee meet with all of these people, but is it reasonable to have another one at some point in the near future? I am just confused at the process in which one keeps a relationship going. The initial contact is easy, keeping it seems very hard to me.
Hey guys,
first, thanks for the advice and responses. sorry about the late response, but this is what I typed up for an e-mail I'm going to resend to my prior contacts who i spoke/networked with in the past and i was wondering if i could get your opinion of how it is.
thanks!
Dear Mr./Mrs. Smith, Hi, I hope that you are well. My name is ibdreamer and I am an Economics major at XYZ University. We had spoken in the past about your background and experiences. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak with me and I wanted to follow up with you about new events in my life. I worked at a boutique investment bank this summer in their Asset Management division. I will also be completing my degree from XYZ University this Fall and will be entering into full time recruitment. I was wondering if you would be willing to arrange a call with me again, so we could speak. Thanks, ibdreamer
Not to hijack your thread OP, but what about when you have made a positive connection and already had coffee/lunch/drinks? How do you approach following up before FT recruitment kicks off? Is it even needed to follow up? I think it cant hurt to get them thinking about you again, but I dont necessarily know how to approach this.
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How do I use connections? (Originally Posted: 06/03/2014)
What is the most appropriate way to approach connections to get a chance at getting into a BB? My cousin started at this firm, and I am friends with family members of 2 MD's and former Exec Director. What would be the recommended method of approaching these people?
How to turn professional relationships into job offers (Originally Posted: 06/03/2010)
Does anyone know of any good free resources that will help me learn techniques on how to help me turn professional relationships into job offers?
There's no magic formula here. It's really about crafting a strong resume and keeping in touch with your network. When you are ready to make a move, then send out emails to your contacts asking them if they happen to know of anyone hiring or any groups hiring in the bank. From there, it should start to work itself out.
In this way, if contact knows anything he/she can either tell you about it and let you pursue it, or offer you even more help and ask for your resume to pass it on - either way, it's an "in" that you wouldn't have without reaching out first. It's not really complex, it's far more about being tactful, patient and a strong presentation (resume, interview skills, etc.)
Thank you, that is extremely helpful
how to reach out to "lost" contacts (Originally Posted: 12/29/2010)
I have met a bunch of contacts through information sessions and have sent all of them follow up emails after each. However, a few contacts who I believed I hit it off with did not reply to those emails.
Is it worth it to ask those people for a resume forward (i'm applying for SA) and hope the Hail Mary works, or would it just be awkward / ruin my chances for OCR?
Id email them back attempting to open up the communication again before forwarding the resume.
Agreed, just try to get in touch with them again via email before dropping them a resume. Many times people simply never get back to you because they saw it, moved on to more pressing emails, and then it slipped from their memory as they got their day started. Emailing again a bit later will spark their memory and you'll probably get a favorable response, particularly if you did in fact hit it off; they'll respond because they remembered they never got back to you in the first place and yet you've maintained interest.
Yes, another "how do I utilize my contact" question. (Originally Posted: 08/28/2010)
Yes, another "how do I utilize my contact" question.
I had a informational phone interview with someone in sales a few months back (that was the last and only time we've spoke), and want to know if I should re-connect him. The bank that he work at has openings in their sales and trading divisions in London. So would it be worth it to "re-stir the pot" and see if he can help in some way? I'm having doubts because the position is in London and he's in NY, and secondly, I don't want to snub him and ask him for his advice/help but go after a different division. His particular sector that he covers directly aligns with what I would like to be involved in, so I am hoping their was some rapport built around that the last time we spoke.
Stop being a bitch and call him before someone else takes the job you are interested in. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.
How to follow up with contact after getting very lucky? (Originally Posted: 10/04/2012)
So I was at a bar in my college town yesterday with a few friends. We're talking about soccer and some guy near by starts getting into the conversation.One thing leads to another and I find out he's an associate at a BB. We hit it off real well and he gave me his cell number and told me to keep in touch with him and to reach out whenever I'm in NYC. This was last night. Should I reach out today saying something like "Hey great meeting you last night etc etc" or just contact him in a few weeks when I'll be around?
don't. that sounds like something you say to a girl you meet at a bar just before you get rejected. add him on linkedin or something.
I'd get in touch with him after a few days via phone/email/LinkedIn. I'm sure he has a great network that can help you to get a job.
Sounds like a S&T guy.
Wait a few days, add on LinkedIn, follow-up via phone/email later.
Wait till there is another important soccer game (lots of them all the time), text something about it and keep the conversation rolling.
Given that he's actually into soccer, I'm assuming he's european?
This thread name was misleading
ah... young love... so beautiful and life affirming...
Thanks for all the tips guys.
How to get a contact to bat for you (1st Round SA Interviews) (Originally Posted: 11/02/2014)
Let's say you have formed a pretty strong relationship with a person in the bank who has some pull in the campus recruiting process. How would you approach him/her to recommend you for a first round interview (without sounding needy/desperate)? What exactly would you say in your email or phone call to remind them that interview selections are around the corner, and that you're still an unemployed student who is looking for a job this summer?
Also, from those who have networked into interviews, what would be the best time to send reminder emails through your network? Right before the resume drop deadline? After you have dropped your resume?
Shoot them an email shortly after you apply letting them know that you dropped your resume and that you would really appreciate any further advice or tips on further preparation for upcoming interviews. If the person is a strong enough connection, they will see your email and know right away what you are trying to get at. Maybe mention, "any further tips for how I should try and position myself to be the most competitive candidate," or something along those lines. This is the route I have taken and its worked pretty well for me thus far. I'm going through the process right now too so if you have any other questions shoot me a PM.
^This.
Any other thoughts?
How can I best use this contact? (Originally Posted: 08/26/2010)
Hi there,
I got a contact (family friend) who is a client of a few BBs, his company does repetitive business with the banks(IPO, follow-on), and maybe this Dec. his another company would file an IPO as well. This guy once got me into the first round of few banks for SA, then superday as well ( I think i did a good job too in the first few rounds, so not sure it was due to his power or not.), but I failed the superday, as a result did not get the SA offer.
now the FT recruiting is coming, already told this guy to forward my resume to the banks, just wondering what else could I ask for help?? do I need to let him introduce his contacts(probly MD) in the banks to me?
Thanks guys.
I think asking your contact to forward your resume to HR is about the most you can expect out of him. Anything further may be pushing the limit.
how to use this kinda of connection? Prepare for your interviews
maybe stop blowing your interviews
i wouldn't help u again after u blew ur interviews fo rSA
Ask him if he could put you in contact with his friends at the bank and have a phone interview with them.
thanks so much guys. keep posting it elsewhere.
No idea how to use my contact - help! (Originally Posted: 08/21/2012)
I have a pretty great network of contacts in IBD. I've been keeping in contact with most throughout sophomore year, and have made quite a few more this summer. I'm currently at a boutique IB and looking to do BB IB next summer. I have one contact specifically who is a friend of a close friends, and knows EVERYONE. He has expressed interest in helping me and we have been exchanging emails for the past month. He's currently working at a hedge fund but he has contacts at most of the bbs that he's willing to introduce me to.
My question is, how do I get any of these people to give me something more tangible than advice? It seems like I'll talk to someone for 30 minutes, get them to connect me to someone else, talk to them for 30 minutes, get connected to someone else, and so on and so forth. Am I supposed to ask them to forward my resume or something? I go to a target and have never seen the need to do so since we have OCR. Any ideas?
"informational interviews" aren't really informational (usually). They'll know why you're there. Bring hard copy of your resume to all these meet-ups.
http://lentilecolorate.net/en/img/cms/use_contact_lenses1.jpg
[quote=seabird]http://lentilecolorate.net/en/img/cms/use_contact_lenses1.jpg[/quote] That should answer your questions
What if it's a phone interview? I know M&I says to "make an ask" but does that still apply if I've applied to the position via OCR?
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how to utilize this contact @ BB? (Originally Posted: 10/28/2010)
so I've been introduced (via email) to an associate at a top BB in IBD...I'm currently an undergrad at a target, but this particular BB doesn't recruit all that heavily in my school...this associate happened to get his MBA at a different school, and has offered to let me email/speak to him, and said he can put me in touch with analysts in his group...so I was wondering what the best way to approach this would be...my goal is to get a first round interview from this BB, so would it be better to simply keep emailing him back and forth (which i think would probably just result in him forwarding those emails to other analysts, who might not have gone to my school either), or should I be more aggressive and straight up ask him if he can meet for coffee/lunch/whatever and talk to him face to face...trying to weigh the risk/reward outlook of each strategy, cuz he might be really busy, so idk if he'll be down to actually meet up....also, whatever strategy i choose, how do I actually go about translating that into a 1st round? I feel I've a decent resume, but that doesn't guarantee much...
Ask if he can meet. Be aggressive in your networking.
Say you're interested in the industry, group & firm, and would love to chat with someone from the group. Ask him if he has time to meet you for an information interview, or if he could at-least put you in touch with an analyst who'd be willing to.
alright so i've set up a call this weekend with the contact...I might actually ask him to meet for coffee or lunch or something...but either way, what can I say eventually put myself in a good position for a first round lol? i mean he clearly knows I will be doing whatever I'm doing simply to get a job/interview out of him, but at the same time, I cant be blunt and simply cut to the chase and ask for an interview....what I have in mind right now is the same plain old BS "tell me about the culture at your firm, what's it like working in your role, etc etc",,,
How to use connections (Originally Posted: 06/04/2011)
So soon I'll be applying to summer analyst internships at some BB investment banks. I do know a few people who have some connections on the street. Can anybody recommend how I should ask these people for help? My cousin is an IT analyst at JP Morgan. My brother is a trader at Credit Suisse. A guy who I'm currently doing an internship for at a wealth management firm used to be a VP at Mellon Financial and Goldman Sachs. Should I ask them if they can get me an interview? What's the proper way to do it?
I go to a semi-target/target school at which every single BB bank recruits from for finance. I have above a 3.5 gpa also and solid EC's. Any advice is well appreciated.
a little late eh?
Most place have filled their summer internship spots littleboy11.
fall recruitment in a few months, i guess thats what he is talking about. try to get referals into the division you are interested, send an email aksing to speak to people for a few minutes on their background, how they broke in, etc. if you start now you can build some relationships until the fall, ask about the recruitment process and once its time contact them again and find out if they can forward your cv to the right people, let hr know about it etc. bb recruitment is fairly standardized these days so they probably wont be able to do that much for you but you never know.
pretty much the same as other threads would suggest. get your cv checked and know your story.
Your brother is a trader at CS. He should be your first source to get career advice from. After that come here.
^^ agree, if your brother can't get you on the desk for day that's just ridiculous
How far will a connection take you? (Originally Posted: 02/03/2008)
In all honesty, how far will a connection take you in terms of a summer analyst program? If the connection is really pulling for you, are you guaranteed the spot (provided you can reasonably respond to questions), or will it only help you get a foot in the door?
Depends on the connection.
It definitely depends on the seniority of the person pulling for you. The higher up on the corporate ladder, the better off you are.
How about at the VP, Sen. VP level?
There is no such thing as guaranteed, but it can help a lot. If the connection likes you, then typically the rest of interviewers will like you too and you'll go forward. Basically, the connection has to like you and be at least an Associate, probably a VP more so.
Most places, an analyst can get you an interview because they read all the resumes, sort through them etc. If the school has analysts interview first and second rounds, then they can get you a job. I know of certain banks, like DB, where analysts basically run SA recruiting from the ground up and if you have a few on your side, you're in.
Associates are the least likely to be of help, they often don't participate much in recruiting.
VPs who are involved in recruiting and really like you can pretty much get you a job.
MDs who are involved in your particular recruiting plan have a lot of pull, MDs who aren't, can get you the interview but probably nothing else. This is unless they are the CFO or some such obscene thing.
All of this applies only if all rounds are done on campus. If there is a super day, a connection can get you to the super day and then you're on your own unless your connection is very very very senior.
Thanks a lot for your replies, they were very helpful
My roommate knew a partner, his only interview question was - "so, which position would you like?"
true story
eecs
dont know if thats tru - but GREAT story!
If you're from a non-target but was put on hold at a small/top boutique, would one of your interviewers (VP) have some pull in getting an offer? Assuming he really liked me
Even MDs who aren't involved in your group have pull and can get you a job at their firm if they so please. It's not like they can't email another MD, and all else being equal (ie. you're not totally unqualified), the MD whose group you're joining is more likely to trust the discretion of another MD (not to mention want to do him/her a favor) than an associate or VP.
How to approach contact about putting resume through (Originally Posted: 12/09/2010)
Hey everyone -
While networking for a summer S&T analyst position I was able to get in contact with a director on the High Yield desk at a BB. After exchanging numerous emails, the director invited me to come in and sit on the desk. He mentioned at the time that it was a busy day, so it was agreed upon that I would only stay around half an hour. However, once I got there we started talking about what he did and the current market environment. He was impressed with what I knew about trading at a BB. I ended up staying around three hours, way longer than the 30 minutes that was originally planned. Everything went really well and he told me to follow up with him.
Now this BB is probably my first choice for SA, so I would really like to get an interview there, and I'm positive this director could push my resume through. However, I'm having trouble coming up with a way to bring it up without being too blunt. This person isn't a family member / family friend and we have only spoken through a couple emails and the office visit, so I don't want to straight out ask him to push it through.
Does anyone have any advice on how to approach this?
Step 1) grow a pair Step 2) let us know how it goes
Seriously man, the guy clearly likes you and will help you out. Reach out with an email to let him know you are applying and ask him if he has any advice. He will know what you are looking for.
He know's you want the job. Its not like you just randomly go to someone's office everyday.
He's expecting you to send his resume. Just attach it to the next e-mail you send him and tell him you'd appreciate it if he sent it to HR.
Keep it Simple
Honestly, he's a trader, not a banker, he'll appreciate you being blunt about your motives.
If you want to be subtle about it instead, just tell him you're looking for summer internships and would like some advice on how to go about recruiting at his firm. If you really hit it off as well as you have described, I'm 90% certain he will OFFER to forward it and if I'm wrong then you can just ask him outright if he would be willing to accept your resume.
Yeah... all the above is spot on... at this point the guy clearly knows you want a job (you aren't looking for new doubles tennis partner)... be upfront and ask how you can best position yourself for an SA position with his firm this summer... M&I has a good article about how to make the ask if you don't feel like you can tactfully word it on your own...
I tell them straight up, "I would appreciate it if you could forward along my resume to HR."
These are busy people who don't have time for ambiguous emails.
How do I use these connections (Originally Posted: 01/31/2013)
I deleted the context because I got paranoid.
Please read back through what you have written and honestly ask yourself how these potential connections might view you differently if they read this. You're title speaks volumes... "how do I -use- these connections." You're goal should not be to use anyone, it should be to gain valuable insight about career prospects and maybe, if they like you, they will lend a hand.
The reason I say this is not to pretend I'm morally superior; I'm not and a likely a hypocrite. I say this because you will gain far more from these connections by connecting on a personal level than by using them. I can't guarantee that you will land an internship by really attempting to engage them and show genuine interest in their lives, however I can guarantee going in with the intent of pumping them for all their worth will backfire.
I see what you mean and at the same time sometimes all it takes is action on one's OWN part. As in asking for a recommendation or an introduction. Forget letting someone lend you a hand if they feel like it. Why not just ask? These aren't random people i met on the street - I've worked with them. This isn't the industry of subtlety or passivity.
Having said that, I appreciate the advice and I'll definitely make sure I don't come across as a vampire.
I definitely agree with that. Take action and be bold, coming from a non-target, networking was my game and the only reason I got a great position right out of school. You're original post made it seem like you were just out to pump them for contacts, however it's clear that isn't the case. As long as you show genuine interest they will most likely offer help without you asking is my point. They know that you need help getting hired and if they like you (just talk about them) then they are more likely to help. Best of luck and PM me with any questions.
Thanks man!
Just try to get to genuinely know people. Ask them about their lives, what they're passionate about, etc. Then the help will come
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How to use my contact for an interview (Originally Posted: 11/18/2010)
So this summer I am trying to get an internship in PWM. I have a contact who is an assistant VP at BAML pwm branch in my city. He is an old family friend, so I’m pretty sure he would be willing to help, but I’m unsure about etiquette in this situation. What is the best way to ask for help?
Should I just request that he pass on my resume to HR? Does he have the power to get me a first round interview? In emailing him should I initially be more casusal and then later ask for help or just be direct?
By the way, last summer I had lunch with him and he introduced me to his superiors but they were only taking junior interns so I never got a chance at an interview.
Bananna's for helpful responses.
Tell him you're interested in a summer internship at BAML and ask if he can help you out or lead you in the right direction. It will very likely be unpaid and you will probably be doing bs office work.
"They are only taking junior interns" - and you are?
Since he is a family friend, you've met with him in the past, and he introduced you to his superiors - no need to add fluff. Be short and concise and ask exactly what it is that you want.
A simple "Hello, hope all is well. I wanted to catch up with you at your convenience and ask you how to best position myself for a summer internship at BAML. ."
Good luck.
To clarify, I am a junior this year and thus an eligible candidate. When I met with him last year I was not.
And I am fully aware that PWM internships arent the most glamorous, but for me getting one will actually be a challenge... Im coming from a non-target with GPA in the lower 3's.
So you think it would be best to request a meeting?
Or you can do nothing except pray that an internship lands in your lap and regret it later on.
cyoung33,
you should be straight as forward as possible with him. most likely, he will be your boss for the summer or will work in your group. pwm internship is definitely unpaid at baml.
talk about how much you appreciate doing well for your clients and your understanding the complicated process of building a client pipeline. also, try to include something you've read on totalmerrill.com, which their marketing site to get more clients.
drop me a message if you want specifics on how a ml wealth management internship runs.
Very high level connection - how to approach (Originally Posted: 04/08/2015)
Through someone I go to school with I have a connection to the Chairman and Partner of an elite boutique. He is based in the London office of the firm which is ~30 people.
I have no doubt he wields the power to give me a job at the firm if he wanted but considering the politics of doing so in such a small office I think that's unlikely.
How can I use this to the best of my advantage? I am going to email him to set up a phone call but I don't want him to instantly think I'm only speaking to him because I want a job... even if that is my intention.
I've never dealt with such a high level connection before so any advice would be great.
Cheers
My guess is he probably understands why you want to talk to him. (assuming it is a man?)
I think if you approach it as an informational interview and explain that you are interested in investment banking, want to learn more about it as a career path, etc. my guess is he will probably pass your resume to HR (provided you don't come across as awfully incompetent or a terrible person) and depending on needs you may or may not get an interview.
Unless this is a close family friend I don't think there will be a whole lot of nepotism for you to lean on.
Regardless of whether you get a job or even an interview out of it, it is an awesome opportunity to speak with someone at that level. Good luck!
Best bet here is to make your resume as perfect as possible and respectfully express your interest in a job letting them know you respect their time you'd love to learn more about the firm and what makes it unique and if there are others you could speak to learn more. Keep in mind its risky for them to hire you as a friend of a friend cause they can't just fire you and may feel compelled to treat you differently. So not a slam dunk even if this person obviously has the "power". You need to de-risk that mindset going in.
Go into the phone call planning to do more listening and learning than talking. He will want to tell you about banking, and if you talk less, you have less chances to screw up. I had a similar experience, and it got me a super day in NYC because he reached out to the interviewer who came on campus.
He knows exactly what your goal is, and you are not the first person to ask him about it. Learn something about his firm that will show you actually did some background leg work. Have questions prepared, and also have an idea of what environment you want to be in.
Like the guy above said, resume is key. If it sucks, he may deny your call. Good luck.
Thanks for the posts guys. The connection is actually through a friend - it's her father who is the Partner and Chairman. As with most informational interview emails, I said I needed advice regarding the career. I have been given his mobile number and been told to contact him whenever I feel like it, so he wont have seen my resume or anything.
At the moment it will be a lot of advice and he will do the majority of the talking I'm sure - is there any way I can change this to him actively wanting to help me?
Just ask good questions and near the end ask him what sort of things he thinks you should be doing to position yourself to break into the industry. He'll get the point and if he wants to help you further he'll tell you to send him your resume and he'll forward it as appropriate.
Similar question to the OP. I have a family connection to the CEO of a major company (100-200b Market Cap).
I feel quite awkward directly approaching them for a role, should I? Context: I have never met him but have a close relationship with his closest relative.
For the lol's I was going to put an online application in and list his name as my referrer.
Any updates on this? How'd it go?
How to use contacts (Originally Posted: 02/03/2007)
I've got a few contacts, all analysts, at a couple different BBs and I want to know how other people in the same position have used their contacts to get a job. Also, how much pull do any analysts actually have in trying to help you out for an internship?
generally take them out at night and keep them clean.
In my experience, I've found that 1st and 2nd years don't have much pull, and won't be able to get you an internship by themselves.
What they can do though, is to bring you up to meet people within their group (associates, other analysts, maybe a VP, and the group staffer). If you make a good enough impression on the others (especially the staffer), they can recommend you for an interview.
Analysts have a lot of pull when decisions are made on who gets interviews- your contact should be able to get you an interview pretty easily.
I've pulled for people I knew and have gotten them internships. If you know your contact well, he/she should be able to do this provided you aren't a retard.
Also, if you get an interview with that bank, you can mention that you talked with that person and they said the bank was amazing blah blah blah, and theyll see that you took your research about the firm to the next level.
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