Megafund exec agreed to talk to me.. need advice.
I've been networking my ass off and finally found a guy that is willing to talk to me. He is an executive at a megafund (bain, BX, KKR, tpg) he told me to call him later on this week. To give you some background: I have been trying to get a job in IBD for a year now with no luck (only interviews for BO roles) even though I have some good FO internships.
Now, I'm not expecting to potentially get a job out of this opportunity since I have zero FT experience, although it would be a dream come true if it did work out. My plan is to ask him how he got to be where he is, what advice he can give me, etc. But I don't want to waste this opportunity asking him just these questions. What else can I ask him, and how I can steer the convo to ask him if he can hook me up with some of his contacts. Would I sound stupid asking him if I could come by his office and formally introduce myself to the firm or grab some coffee?
I’m just looking for any advice since I haven’t had any leads and this is probably my biggest one.
Okay when you are talking to him just remember:
This is your only shot at getting anywhere in life and if you dont say exactly the right thing you are fucked.
Okay just kidding.
First make sure you call him at exactly the right time. That dictates how much time you have to talk to the person. Research that seriously.
Second start off with the general conversation but put this point across: Be frank about the fact that your primary concern is finding a full time job but also be considerate of the fact that he cant work wonders for everyone and that you don't want to put pressure on him.
Here is an example sentence (after some chit chat): Right now my priority is finding a full time job. Obviously, it would be great if you could take a look at my resume and or give me some leads for a potential hirer that I may be a fit for but I also know that you are very busy and that you dont spend your day memorizing open job positions. Regardless, what I would really like to know is, as someone who has obviously watched a lot of people develop their careers, what do you see as my best next move.
Note for that last section you should have already gone over general conversations, what you have done, tried, where you are so he may give you an informed decision. The general idea you want to convey is "great if I can get a job from you but either way what I am really looking for is some career guidance"
This person is the wrong person to ask for a job given your position. You would sound stupid asking him if you could come by his office and formally introduce yourself to the firm as this is pointless. Besides, these people don't recruit for their shops anyways. All mega funds have headhunters who look for top talent.
Instead focus on getting him to give you his precious contacts on the sell-side i.e major investment banks. Network with these contacts and get meetings with sell-side people through him. The sell-siders are the ones you need to push your resume through to get a job at one of the big banks.
Hope this helps.
Right, I definitely agree with you. I know there is no way I'll get a chance at a megafund right now with zero FT experience. I was mainly asking what the best approach would be to ask him for his IB/Sell Side contacts. Do I just be forward after a few minutes of convo and let him know what I want? I think Opus made a good example sentence so I'll probably use that.
Thanks be to both of you for helping a fellow monkey out :)
Any other advice from anyone else is still much appreciated.
Be as straight forward as you can. The guy knows why you are there assuming he has your resume so there is no reason to beat around the bush. Tell him what you want to do in the immediate short term and then get straight down to why and how you need his help. This approach will most likely get you what you need.
I found this approach helpful as well when networking. I would make it a point to have an objective during every networking call that you make. Are you trying to get in touch with some of his contacts? Are you trying to simply get career advice? Having a clear objective going into the call is going to make it a lot more effective both for you and him. Plus, this conveys that you are smart and have done your homework and are not trying to waste his time.
Nostrum voluptates delectus accusamus magnam aut harum. Sit laudantium corrupti quasi recusandae. Aspernatur dolores accusamus est non. Voluptatum eum expedita quas voluptatum doloribus.
Porro enim praesentium voluptatem recusandae. Qui consequatur saepe iusto nihil. Sed id non earum id amet ipsam. Qui aut beatae vel in repellat dolores occaecati.
Ex explicabo nulla asperiores dolores sit id. Cupiditate esse enim nihil non voluptas blanditiis. Repellat dolor non ratione officiis. Quo velit dolor ea dolores quae. Voluptates delectus dolorem quos quia ea aspernatur nobis. Consequuntur consequatur et rem saepe sint eius corrupti.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...