Hi Guys,
So I recently met up with an analyst from a new boutique in my area - less than a year old, but the MD's have great resumes. This is a very small boutique (2 MD's, 1 associate and a graphic designer for pitch books and what not. Anyways, the analyst really seemed to like me and was very helpful - he spoke with the two MD's and they stated that they are currently not hiring but would like me to come in and meet them. I'm treating this as a formal interview and preparing accordingly.
My question: would it be appropriate to ask the analyst for the things I should focus on preparing for (i.e. focus more on fit questions or technicals)? Or should I just not bother asking being that it may not look good in some way? If I was offered a spot down the road it would be for FT. I am a recent grad currently working in corporate banking as a credit analyst. Feedback is much appreciated.
You need to decide if you want a mentor or someone you're gonna play the game/dance around with and ultimately try to land a job from.
Most definitely trying to land a job with them in the future. I'm thinking if their deal flow picks up then I'd have a good shot at getting the spot being that they know me and know I'm interested in their firm.
How close of a relationship do you have with the analyst? You met him once because you found him on LinkedIn, you went to the same school and had friends in common, you're acquaintances, you're friends? If you're closer to the friend spectrum of that ask him what to expect in more detail. If it's more of a LinkedIn thing send him an email profusing gratitude and coyly insert something about what to expect. Or call him or take him out for a beer or five and get it out of him.
Prepare for it like you would a real interview but I wouldn't expect it to be a technical interview. You're better off researching the shit out of the people at the firm and figuring out what they've done in the past, what they're doing now, their backgrounds, hobbies, interests and every and anything about them. There are only 3+the guy you already met so you know who you may meet and it's a very finite number of people.
Have the answer down pat of why them vs a bigger IB (and the correct answer isn't that you can't get into a bigger firm or because they're the only option in your city, assuming you're not in nyc). Know their deals and have good, in depth and intelligent questions to ask about past deals and what's happening now. Have a very succinct story of your skills and the deals you've done and why you would be an asset to their young firm. There will be no training and little support-why can you fit in that environment and how can you add value (yeah, hate that term too) to them right away when no one's holding your hand.
I'd assume a start up boutique is going to have a sector focus-learn it and be able to talk intelligently with some very current events and trends-not an article you found from 1/2014-in the industry. Ask about their future plans for the firm-do they want to stay small, grow slightly larger (like 10 investment pros) or grow bigger? Have an opinion of why it would be good to stay small or why it would be good to grow. And be able to argue each side.
On the personal front, learn about them. Hobbies, sports, charities they support, schools they went to, where they grew up, etc. figure out if you have something in common and slyly bring it up. If you don't, figure out a way to steer the conversation to one of their hobbies. Don't be a tool and say "hey I heard you're a world class spelunker and I've always like caves" out of the blue but try to make a personal connection with them based on your research. If they're not currently hiring but may in the future this will make them remember you more than someone who can spout financial equations off the top of their head. I can say this with decent authority because years ago Ineas one of those two MD/founders. PE and not IB but there's very little difference.
Good luck. Sorry for any typos-new iPhone and autocorrect seemed to forget everything it had learned.
Thanks for the helpful, detailed reply! Will definitely take your advice.
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