Scheduled to grab lunch with the COO at my current MM firm (think Stifel, Jefferies, Baird, etc.). We connected because we went to the same school. I’m a recent college grad, currently in a LDP rotational type of program, and simply grabbing lunch for networking purposes. What are some good questions you would ask a COO?
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Phone Convo with COO of BB Investment Bank (Originally Posted: 09/27/2011)
Hey guys, non-target looking to land an SA position and I've been networking hard core. By various connections I've been able to land a phone convo with the COO of a BB investment bank, do you guys have any advice....I premised the conversation by saying I would love to talk about IB and his bank.....don't want to sound like an idiot
Do your research! Know about the bank, department the person youre speaking with is in, and current events that might impact the group or bank.
If you have truly networked your way in to a phone conversation with a C-level executive of a BB bank than just get him to talk about himself and his career path. You can try to prepare by reading through the bank's annual report to get some knowledge of the firm and draw up some interesting questions to ask him.
Lots of fucking scrubs in investment banks have the title "COO." There are only 2 COO's that even come close to being relevant - the COO of the parent company and the COO of the broker/dealer arm. If you are talking to either of those, you better be prepared. If not, don't worry about it, their opinion is meaningless as they are a glorified secretary.
He's the COO of the broker/dealer arm
I guess that answers that question
Actual cool story.
Your goal should be to do two things. Have COO think 1) you're a smart kid, bright and enthusiastic -- you have a fair idea of what you want/why for your next step 2) you're a team player and reflect the culture of his firm
I'd say let him do most of the talking, ask good questions, sound really cheerful and interested. Ask about the culture of his firm and why he thinks it's differentiated. Whenever he answers something, quickly tie it back to your skills. If he says firm is really team driven, etc etc say "That's great to hear, I'm really interested in finding places that best fit to my values and skills" or something like that. You're SELLING yourself to this dude every second you're on the phone and if you do a good job he can fast-track you to interviews.
Follow up with a short but sincere handwritten note that is specific to your conversation. Take notes during it so you have one or two concrete things to mention in the note. Don't oversell in the thank-you, if you did your job you made a positive impression.
Also, it is way rad you got the connection... who hooked you up?
Good advice.
However, I've always been a little leery of the handwritten note unless it is an older guy (55+) because no one really mails anything anymore, so I feel like it reeks of desperation. Just my thoughts. Still great advice, I would probably just send an e-mail instead of a letter.
Funny story, an alumni who i met through a dinner was a good friend of this guy. When I followed up with the alumni and asked him for advice on IB he just forwarded on my email to this COO and the COO sent my info to HR. Within the hour HR responded. Then I actually followed up with the COO in a letter via mail (my alumni contact suggested I do it). Couple days later I sent a follow up with an email and he said he'd love to talk. Btw thanks for the all advice guys.
Don't worry about a job
I would just want to PICK HIS BRAIN
Phone interview with COO (Originally Posted: 12/01/2011)
Ok...
Interview with a specialist boutique approaching (think qatalyst, mcqueen etc). I emailed speculatively with CV&CL and got an email a week later.
I got given the name of a COO and an analyst that will have a phone interview with me next week - if successfull I'd go in for interviews. This is for a summer internship in london btw and I'm from a non-target.
I'm understandably absolutely shitting it. I know my technicals - but what would such a boutique be looking for? Since I assume it'll be very fit based, I guess I just have to try and be myself?
But with a COO on the call, how the hell do I impress?
Thank you
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