Networking calls are getting stale. How to sound smarter?

I’ve done 30+ coffee chats. They all sound the same... 'What's the culture? What's a deal you liked?' I feel like the bankers are bored to tears.

I want to ask about actual deal mechanics or execution hurdles to sound like I 'get it,' but I don't have the experience to know what to ask. How do you elevate the conversation from 'student' to 'peer'?

7 Comments
 

I'd say just ask. I'd say "I saw that X bank worked on this deal, why did you guys do a term loan instead of a revolver?" or something like that. Shows you did your research while still trying to learn more.

Also to connect with bankers more, I found that talking about life outside of work also helps. One banker I talked with runs a game studio, so I asked him about that for a bit and he ended up offering to help me out with a few roles (still need to see how that goes lol)

 

Reference an industry you're passionate about! Read up on it and ask them questions to get their opinions on recent trends etc., whether they think something is overhyped. Demonstrate that your curious about the work of the job rather than just recruiting, 

 
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