Meeting with a VP of a investment bank
Ok so I'm a recent grad(last week) and I am soon meeting with a fraternity brother's father who is a VP of a investment bank. I have spoken to him numerous times on the phone/email and he said that there may be a position for me in capital markets/in his firm. I am having lunch with him next week and had a few questions..
1) Suit and tie? or just business casual-khakis/button down 2) Should I bring a black portfolio with resumes? I have sent him my resume/cover letter and he has looked over it. 3) What should I talk about? Should I research further into his bank and talk about current events like a normal investment banking interview? 4) How do I impress him to offer me a position? \
THANKS!!!!!!!!!
1) Yes, wear a suit and tie.
2) Yes, I often do. Just in case the recruiter wants one and I have a page of written notes that I often glance at
3) Ask him intelligent questions. Ask him about the deals he's done. Ask him about the sector he focuses on, why he chose it etc, ask him about the IB business in general i.e. where he sees it 3-4 years
4) Appear sharp and focused. Best way to do that is research him and his firm as much as possible.
Most importantly, don't sell yourself and your abilities short. An interview is like a date, if you display insecurity you're bound to flop.
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Good advice from SAC.
Be respectful, but don't be uptight - given that he is a friend's dad, I think you have the leeway to be a bit more informal than you would be with just a cold contact. Talk about school, hobbies, etc, just present yourself as an overall good and interesting guy.
I agree with FT2009, you don't need to be super uptight and formal due to the fact that you are friends with this guy's son. I would note that it is highly unlikely this guy will give you an offer coming out of only a lunch and a few phone calls. If he likes you, he'll likely bring you in to meet the rest of the team at a later time.
Random question that doesn't really change much, but I'll ask it anyways: Are you sure this guy is a vice president? I've never heard of a VP with a 21+ year old son. In fact, even the MDs at my shop don't have kids that old.
~~~~~~~~~~~ CompBanker
Yes, this is his position according to linkedin. Vice President, Investments
Is he a VP that's on the executive committee? Usually it's up or out at the IBD VP level...
Any other questions??????
i meant, any other questions to ask him?
Thanks
General questions should be fine.
Ask about his department, what the average day in the life would be, what he likes/doesn't like about his job, how the financial crisis has affected his firm/department, shit like that.
Shouldn't be too tough to do man. I think the key for these types of meetings is to come off as a smart and eager kid, but also someone who is very personable, interesting, and likable.
Be cool, smile, and listen. Make sure he does all the talking. Ask him about his experience, career, college years, accomplishments. Anything that can boost his ego and status (but don't overdo it).
There are no cookie cutters here. Either he likes you or not and he'll make that decision in first 10 minutes.
Even though this is not a formal interview, it would be good to keep in mind certain interview etiquette. I found a good piece about etiquette on a site called GottaMentor.com:
"There are several physical characteristics that can adversely effect your interview. Read each of the below careful and make sure you address them during your interview
Eye contact
Constant eye contact communicates confidence and maturity. Good eye contact can be measured by the ability to maintain a constant gaze for a minimum of fifteen seconds. Individuals that divert their gaze to look at the ceiling, their hands or feet or a spot behind the interviewer convey nervousness, lack of confidence and unprofessionalism. Critical times for eye contact with your interviewer include: greeting, initiating an answer to a question, asking a question of your interviewer, listening to your interviewer’s answer, and leaving. Not only will eye contact show your confidence, but it will help you determine if your interviewer understands what you are saying. By looking at their facial expressions, you can gain immediate feedback. If you notice that he/she looks puzzled, you will have the opportunity to explain your point. If he/she nods in agreement you know that he/she understands what you are saying.
You can practice your eye contact through a simple exercise with your friends and family. Try to have a conversation with them without diverting your gaze for 20 seconds. By training yourself to maintain eye contact in your social interactions, you will develop the ability to do so in your professional ones.
Arms
It is interesting how many interview candidates don’t know what to do with their arms when interviewing. It is almost as if they don’t realize they have them until they walk into an interview room. There is no set rule as to what to do you’re your arms. The most important thing is to be comfortable. If you are doing something that feels unnatural, the interviewer will most likely sense it. Although most postures are acceptable, you should be aware of how certain postures can be interpreted. Crossed arms may be thought of..."
This piece of advice continues through various other forms of etiquette here: http://gottamentor.com/viewAdvice.aspx?a=328
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