Roast my Networking Call

Hello WSO community,

Edit: This thread kind of turned into "what to ask an Analyst/Associate"

I had some kind Investmemt Banker respond back to me a week ago and he gave me the go ahead to call him for an informational interview in the near future.

I've searched hard throughout the networking guide and around the site and I feel as if many, many of the networking questions offered are not conversational or fit for a first conversation.

I wanted to get some input on the questions I think are good for a conversation and hope some of you guys could offer some input and some more conversational questions to share with others.

Here's my plan:

Easy, ease in questions:

• Start the call by introducing myself

• Ask him what's exciting him regarding future plans, work, etc.

• Get into the connection that we have in common, previous similar experiences, etc.

• Ask him why he entered into IB, what he was thinking at the time.

• Ask why he joined X Firm.

• Ask how their experiences working at X firm/in IB have been?

• What do you like about working at your company? (redundant to above?)

Harder Hitting:

• Has anything surprised you over the course of your career? What have you found most challenging?

• What have you found enjoyable about your sector? What do you like about?

• How about challenging or surprising about your sector?

• Given your sector, what have been some interesting projects you have got to work on?

• What do you think makes someone stand out for and in Investment Banking?

• What do you find valuable in an Analyst?

• What characteristics do you like to see in your co-workers?

• How can I make myself stand out given I want to work at your firm? What advice would you give for someone looking to work in IB who knows its what they want to do.

• How to position myself to work at your firm?

• End: Anyone else I can talk to/you could refer me to.

I do have one concern: I don't really sell myself other than talk and ask questions and maybe tail off his answers to show my skills, interests, and experience relevancy to IB, so I wanted to ask how to sell myself during the call, or if I should even try to sell myself? How do I get the call to push me?