Talking to Bankers at Informational Sessions
Am a sophomore who will be recruiting very soon for summer 2025 analyst positions. Our school just had our first info session yesterday with a couple banks...it went alright I guess? One of the things I felt confused about was how much to talk shop and how much to talk casual because in the end what I've heard is you're supposed to make a good impression but not come across as a try hard if that makes sense? Am I on the right path? Can current bankers speak from their POV as to what topics usually make for a pleasant conversation and what would just be stupid to talk about for us sophomores? I think it would help the junior people on this forum a lot! Thanks!
At networking events I success in starting out with talking shop (asking how their deals are going, what stages they're at, if they're working on something cool in their industry, if they're getting along with the seniors and other juniors, etc.), and then transfer that over to talking about life in an organic way. I typically did this "if you had time on the upcoming weekend, how would you spend it?" Overall, I strove to hit 1/3 talking shop and 2/3 talking about non-banking topics, but you have to make your impression first that you know what you're talking about on the banking side and can't just hop into life conversations. It's all a numbers game - the first few times may be awkward but you get the hang of picking up on demonstrating enough technical knowledge to be there and transfering over to connecting with the person. If you do this successfully, it can be an easy way to gain junior's attention and step up to the plate for you come formal recruiting time.
This is the type of question that makes me realize that we don't really teach what networking is at schools. While it's great to show interest in someone's work/profession, at the end of the day we are all people. The point of networking is making professional friendships. Questions like "What is your favorite part of the deal process?" or "What's your favorite way to model valuations?" aren't going to make people like you, they are going to be the awkward ones that make people look for the nearest exit. You want to be engaging and personable above all else.
I would say depending on what level the speaker is at (analyst, associate, VP, etc.) you could ask about biggest misconception about investment banking from college/high school students. Or maybe ask about what investment banking has enabled them to do that they've enjoyed but might not have done if they chose a different field. We all get that a lot of people who chose PE, IB, HF, or Corp Dev went there for the money and we were good with numbers. It wouldn't make sense to ask them why they chose IB or things like that because 9/10 times people went there for the money and being able to work with executives daily.
My best advice would be to write down 3-5 questions that are semi-personal/semi-professional that would make the other person think and that goes beyond the standard questions about the industry that you could've otherwise looked up on Investopedia. Not everyone is going to respond the same way to each question and that's ok. You can workshop those questions and find a list that works best for you to keep a dialogue going. Being able to keep a conversation interesting and engaging will make them feel more compelled to go to bat for you later and remember you for later.
You're absolutely on the right path, my friend! It's all about striking a balance between showing your knowledge and being relatable. Here's a little wisdom from the WSO threads:
Talk about the Banker's Career: Bankers love to talk about themselves and their journey. Ask them about their career, their roles, and their experiences. This not only shows your interest but also gives you valuable insights.
Discuss the Industry: Show that you're not just there for the job, but you're genuinely interested in the industry. Ask about recent trends, their views on certain market events, or their thoughts on the future of the industry.
Find Common Ground: This is where the casual talk comes in. If you find out you both share a common interest, like being fans of the Chicago White Sox, don't be afraid to dive into that. It makes you memorable and shows you're more than just a job candidate.
Avoid Controversial Topics: It's best to steer clear of topics that could lead to heated debates. You're there to make connections, not to argue.
Don't Pretend to Know Everything: It's okay to not know something. If a topic comes up that you're not familiar with, be honest about it. It's better to learn something new than to pretend and get caught.
Remember, the goal is to leave a positive impression and build a meaningful connection. So, be yourself, be interested, and be respectful. Good luck!
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/can-i-get-into-investment-banking-from-non-target-school?customgpt=1, Talking points to university kids who are networking with you?, Bankers, how do you feel about an incoming SA referring sophomores to you?, Best Conversations You've Had With Bankers?
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