Hi guys,
A few weeks ago I sent my CV and a sample equity research report to a fund manager at a fund I would really like to work at. I asked him if I could meet up with him for a quick drink and a chat about how he got into the industry. Today I received an email from him asking if I would like to meet up for lunch. He also told me his fund had recently bought the stock I sent the ER report on.
I have a few questions and would be grateful for your advice.
1) I will be coming from my current job (sell-side) where we dress business casual, should I wear a full suit or just go as I am?
2) I have sent this guy my CV so I am assuming he knows or expects me to ask him about any opportunities at his fund. Am I correct in thinking this?
3) Should I just use this meeting to build a foundation or just come out and say that I'm interested in working at the fund if they have space? Obviously I wouldn't just jump into this but if the convo goes well I would ask about this.
4) Should I offer to pay for the meal? I'm not a student lacking money but at the same time this guy obviously makes more than me, would it seem a bit silly of me to offer to pay?
Thanks a lot and I appreciate any advice!
1)If you can be dress business-formal without looking inconspicuous at work. Better to dress up then down. Maybe suit no tie?
2)I would assume he thinks you’re going to inquire about opportunities. But not 100% on how to approach.
3) Same as 2
4) Def Offer to pay. Or if you want to look like a pro, get there early, and give your waiter your card for the bill beforehand he gets there so there's no awkward moment at the end when you give half-hearted attempt to pickup/split the check.
He has your resume and already bought a stock you recommended? He would probably think you're an idiot if you didn't ask him about working there. Why else would he meet with you? If he didn't want to talk to you about that, he wouldn't have accepted the meeting after receiving your resume.
I would offer to pay for lunch, it is a good test. If he actually let's you pay for he bill, that means the guy is (most likely) very cheap and is a bad sign for future comp.
Also, wear a suit and bring a hard copy of the resume and research report in your back pocket, in case he wants to discuss them and doesn't bring a copy.
Figure out what you want to order quickly, and make sure its something easy to eat and not messy. Don't know where you are meeting, but I would avoid ordering anything that could be messy/fall apart/eaten with hands. Getting there early and putting down your card is slick, I would do that.
If this is a reputable fund, I'd go with a suit since it's lunch.
Ease into a conversation. Don't come out guns blazing and ask about job opportunities. If he's impressed with you, he'll give you some info. Ask about the fund and the strategy, etc. Anyway, the more he knows about you, the better a chance you'll have of him helping you out. So just mention you're interested in making a move into the industry. Then, later on you can exchange e-mails and he'll be more likely to vouch for you. But make sure he understands you want to make a move into the industry he's in.
Same as my answer #2, but use it as a foundation to say you want to move from the sell-side into his industry. It'll make the conversation go much smoother.
Even though he makes more than you, you're there to impress. Assuming this isn't going to be a $150 lunch with bottles, give the waiter your card and at the end say "don't worry about it" to the fund guy. It'll catch his attention.
Like SirTradesALot said, bring multiple copies of your resume and research report. He may forget about it or go off of memory. There's always that outside chance of the fund guy bringing someone else along for the lunch as well.
1) I will be coming from my current job (sell-side) where we dress business casual, should I wear a full suit or just go as I am?
Wear a jacket to work and put on a tie on the way there. Always better safe than sorry.
2) I have sent this guy my CV so I am assuming he knows or expects me to ask him about any opportunities at his fund. Am I correct in thinking this?
Yes. He runs money and hopefully is not an idiot. You didn't send him the report because you really hope he earns his fees. I imagine that won't be the first thing he'd like to talk about though and if he doesn't bring it up then yes you absolutely should.
3) Should I just use this meeting to build a foundation or just come out and say that I'm interested in working at the fund if they have space? Obviously I wouldn't just jump into this but if the convo goes well I would ask about this.
Don't say "if they have space". Comes off as weak. sometimes at these big AM shops headcount goes through corporate so he may not but even if he doesn't now he may in the future. Or he might know some else who needs ppl.
4) Should I offer to pay for the meal? I'm not a student lacking money but at the same time this guy obviously makes more than me, would it seem a bit silly of me to offer to pay?
DO NOT try and "beat him" to paying for the meal by slipping it to the waiter. It is a crap shoot but sometimes these guys will get offended if you even offer. There is no way this fund manager cares at all about the money spent on lunch if it's a legit shop. Offer to pay and if he lets you I would be really really worried.
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