Informational Interview with CEO tomorrow - Help.

Hey,

So I cold emailed an alumnus CEO of a London based boutique M&A advisory firm, and he told me to call him tomorrow.

Currently I'm looking at some of the questions in the WSO networking guide, and they're good and all, but they seem to be directed to lower level employees.

What would be some good questions to ask during our conversation?

And generally, how formal should I be? I feel like I'm gonna sound like a robot asking him question after question. My cold email basically said if I could talk to him to get some advice/ insight.

Thanks for your input monkeys!

10 Comments
 

Same questions apply, aks he how he got to where he is; where he see's the boutique / independent advisory model fitting in going forward; find a deal they have done quote it, ask what was challenging; why law to banking; he's just a normal guy...i wouldn't be too aggressive like these americans on WSO though...

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
OreosSame questions apply, aks he how he got to where he is; where he see's the boutique / independent advisory model fitting in going forward; find a deal they have done quote it, ask what was challenging; why law to banking; he's just a normal guy...i wouldn't be too aggressive like these americans on WSO though...

Thanks mate. Helpful as always. Would SB if I had.

 
Best Response

Great job Boreed. To add to Oeros, I think after a quick chat, you need to very focused on getting your story right and be specific about it like:

Hi my name is XZY. I am reaching out to you when I saw your contact info on the alumn database. I am currently (insert background information, what you are studying). I am interested in working at (XYZ group at ABC and EFG banks). I have been doing (ABC: investment club, trading stocks, researching, networking) so far. "What can I do to position myself to interview with a (XYZ) group like this?"

It is important to engage in small talk. But it is more important to get your story straight and also what you want out from the conversation. If you were more direct (but polite) with your requests and specify on where you need help the most, it usually works out well.

Make sure that your pitch is natural and very smooth. Try to practice story telling. You need to summarize what is it that you are trying to get out from a conversation without sounding like a robot or sounding too casual. I think it is a balance.

"I am the hero of the story. I don't need to be saved."
 
sxh6321Great job Boreed. To add to Oeros, I think after a quick chat, you need to very focused on getting your story right and be specific about it like:

Hi my name is XZY. I am reaching out to you when I saw your contact info on the alumn database. I am currently (insert background information, what you are studying). I am interested in working at (XYZ group at ABC and EFG banks). I have been doing (ABC: investment club, trading stocks, researching, networking) so far. "What can I do to position myself to interview with a (XYZ) group like this?"

It is important to engage in small talk. But it is more important to get your story straight and also what you want out from the conversation. If you were more direct (but polite) with your requests and specify on where you need help the most, it usually works out well.

Make sure that your pitch is natural and very smooth. Try to practice story telling. You need to summarize what is it that you are trying to get out from a conversation without sounding like a robot or sounding too casual. I think it is a balance. Either read this article before you call:

Good luck and do keep me posted.

Thanks! I will let you know tomorrow. I'm kind of stressed about it, but as Oreos said, he's just a human being. :)

 

I showed up once to "meet the team... nothing formal", and when I walked into the room there were two guys reviewing my resume who opened with "walk me through your background". So treat everything like an interview. Wear a tie and suit. Trust me. You'll feel better leaving knowing you were overprepared than leaving in jeans feeling like you fucked up a huge opportunity.

 

Alright thanks, was thinking the same thing.

But in case it is just a normal old info intw, any advice on how to pitch myself to see if they have an opening?

I was thinking something along the lines of: "I'll be straight with you, I'm hungry and want to learn as much as I can, would you know of any openings or anyone that do and need some help?"

Or would it be too aggressive?

Thanks.

 

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