Need help on on follow up after informational interview. Thank you.

Hi guys,

I have a question about follow-up email. How to follow-up after a phone conversation besides asking for referrals? I'm trying to come up with some specific questions to ask but I really can't think of any at this point. It has been a month since I spoke with some of them so I think I have to follow up to stay on their radar. Is it a good idea to ask questions like "What can I do now to better prepare me for a specific group?" What kind of questions are good to continue the conversation?

Thank you guys!

 

First of all, following up once a month is too much in my opinion, unless you have a very pressing issue (active interview process) or have a very close mentor relationship with this person.

I think quarterly is a better cadence. Things you can do to stay in touch would be provide updates on your job search, send an article that is pertinent to something you've talked about with this person, congratulate them on a deal they recently worked on (if a smaller PE firm), etc.

 

Hi More Leverage, thank you for your advice. Is it OK to ask questions about the industry and their jobs or ask career advice? I just don't want to ask some stupid questions and be annoying.

 

Yes, those are all fair game. Be thoughtful in your questions and do a quick Google search to make sure it's not a question you can easily answer on your own. Questions specific to them can be good ones: what have you found to be key skills or habits in your path to success? If you were me, where would you be looking to start your career to get a good foundational skill set? I saw your firm just did this deal, what were some of the most compelling parts of your thesis? I have an opportunity to join firm x, what are some things you think I should think about as I make my decision?

 

i would personally wait till you know him a little better before asking him to submit your resume to HR. I've heard of people who receive resumes from people they've spoken to only once and they're not happy about it- why should they put their reputation on the line to recommend you when they barely know you? Other people could think differently, but that's my opinion/what I've heard.

Re: asking further questions. When filling in the online application, I'd ask him about why he likes the bank so you can talk about some of the same reasons and even subtly reference that you've spoken to someone there (I spoke with .... in .... and he said ..... which really resonated with me etc etc).

Then if you get an interview, contact him to thank him for his help so far and ask for further advice. At that point, see if he's willing to meet in person to discuss things/so you can learn more and at THAT point you may be able to ask him to put in a good word for you.

Good luck, let us know how it goes/what you do.

 

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