"We may need an analyst. Please let me know if you will be in NY, and we can plan to meet."
(King Kong, 1,674
Points)
on 5/6/10 at 10:36am
I'm in Chicago (not sure if he realizes this), and I'm poor, so blowing several hundred dollars on a trip to NY is a bit of an investment.
The above is an exact quote, and is the entirety of the email I got back from a guy who is the president and co-founder of his firm. It's a pretty sweet place and I'd kill to work there, but I'm not sure from that one line how serious he is or how good my chances are. How would you respond? I don't want to sound like I don't appreciate his reply.






Take a bus or share a ride
Take a bus or share a ride through craigslist. You really don't sound like you'd kill for the job.
Try something along the lines
Try something along the lines of: “Hi X, Thank you for the job/internship opportunity. I am currently based in Chicago and would be glad to come to NY for a meeting. Would there be any day that is convenient for you between X and X?”
That way he’ll know you will actually be doing the trip for the meeting, and if it is nothing serious yet might reply something like “Fine, we’ll give you a call if the opening is confirmed to plan an interview”.
Just be sure to answer that you are interested and would be happy to do the trip if there is an opportunity.
..
..
tandaradei wrote: Take a bus
Take a bus or share a ride through craigslist. You really don't sound like you'd kill for the job.
All he said was that he "may" need an analyst. The "job," therefore, may not exist. Furthermore, I'm barely qualified, if at all, for a job at this place, so if they actually decided to interview a bunch of people I'd definitely lose out and it'd be a complete waste of time.
EuropeanBob, that sounds like the best idea. Thanks.
(To the 3rd poster, my only connection to his guy is that we went to the same school - this email I sent him was my first contact with him ever.)
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
Banking Resume
Well, I responded the
Well, I responded the EuropeanBob way, suggesting some dates I could fly up there: "I don't want you to make a special trip to NY. If you plan to be in town, however, I'd be pleased to meet you. The week of the 17th looks good at this point." (via blackberry)
Not to sound paranoid here, but he's not trying to gauge my interest, is he? I thought I made it obvious that I didn't already have plans to be in NY. Seems like he should just offer to chat on the phone.
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
Banking Resume
I'm kinda being led along by
I'm kinda being led along by a particular bank in a somewhat similar fashion. I feel your pain, dude.
This sucks, I apologize. I
This sucks, I apologize. I had to fly out for CS interviews on my dollar and I'm a college kid with no money.
If you really want the job you have to weigh the risk/reward and make your decision based off that.
If you're confident you aren't qualified for the job then it sounds like you've set your self already for failure.
Put all the pros and cons on a piece of paper and balance them out; then make your decision. He is Def. trying to gauge your interest, but interest doesn't mean anything for these places at the end of the day....everyone that is applying is interested.
If I wanted the job I'd say
If I wanted the job I'd say "no pb, I'll be there the week of the 17th" without hesitation.
You can always find a cheaper way than flying there if you don't work and have some time (take the bus as tandaradei said).
If you won't go there to meet him I'm sure there are plenty of kids on WSO that would kill to go there in your place.
Have you thought about trying
Have you thought about trying to set up other interviews, even informational, while there? If you did that then it would a more productive use of your time.
EuropeanBob wrote: If I
If I wanted the job I'd say "no pb, I'll be there the week of the 17th" without hesitation.
You can always find a cheaper way than flying there if you don't work and have some time (take the bus as tandaradei said).
If you won't go there to meet him I'm sure there are plenty of kids on WSO that would kill to go there in your place.
Sounds good. Should I keep it casual and pretend that I have some other business to take care of up there anyway?
edit: Yeah LA Banker, it crossed my mind. I'm gonna see if I can pull that off.
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
Banking Resume
IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN
IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN UNEMPLOYED AND BEG ON THE STREET, THEN DON'T GO.
prospie wrote: EuropeanBob
If I wanted the job I'd say "no pb, I'll be there the week of the 17th" without hesitation.
You can always find a cheaper way than flying there if you don't work and have some time (take the bus as tandaradei said).
If you won't go there to meet him I'm sure there are plenty of kids on WSO that would kill to go there in your place.
Sounds good. Should I keep it casual and pretend that I have some other business to take care of up there anyway?
edit: Yeah LA Banker, it crossed my mind. I'm gonna see if I can pull that off.
I wouldn't start lying/inventing things. Just say you'll be coming over and the week of the 17th works fine.
If he asks, you can say that you took the opportunity to set up other meetings in NY (which you should be doing).
And don't forget, even if this doesn't get you a job, it's not a waste of time. You never know when this contact could come in handy.
Good luck!
Listen to me, if you can get
Listen to me, if you can get an interview, it's ALL about personality/likability and whether you know your stuff. I don't know why you're being so self deprecating. I can also guarantee you he'd much rather hire a solid kid who he likes rather than waste his time recruiting for an official position.
i don't know how to say this
i don't know how to say this without coming off like an asshole, but if you have to ask this question then you don't want the job bad enough. i've been in your exact same shoes and i can tell you why its worth it, but from my experience with people who i've given advise to in the past...if you have to ask, then anything worth saying will fall on deaf ears
^ agree with above. I'm
^ agree with above.
I'm someone who's currently in the same position as you but who is from Canada(hence not many down here from McGill!).
If you have to ask, you really don't have the drive/determination/passion to make it in this industry.
Move on to something else.
^Also, PM me with the fund
A WORD TO THE WISE: this was
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
Banking Resume
As nice a guy he may be for
Kanon wrote: As nice a guy he
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
Banking Resume
did he atleast take you out
@ prospie - ah, my bad, it's