How to Handle a Networking Phone Call?
For reference I am a high-school senior.
I somehow managed to get in contact with the former CEO of a large investment firm (at least it looked big to me), who currently works in asset management. I don't know why or how linkedin blessed me with this opportunity. Regardless I have a meeting with him in a couple of days to ask him about his work/career.
How does one even approach this type of meeting? Should I be trying to get him to tell me about himself, or should I be illustrating why I am interested in him? I was considering the idea of mentioning my desire for an internship, but I don't want to sound like I am trying to use him. If I am able to build a solid relationship with the man, I can see his network is pretty extensive across the financial world. Do I hold off for now, and try to leverage him later when I am actually trying to get a college internship/job? In 3 years I fear he will probably have forgotten about me. Now is a perfect opportunity to show that I am interested in what he is doing. I think expressing this as a senior in highschool who doesn't have pressure to find a job would probably be more impact than a desperate college junior.
I have created a list of question I am genuinely interested in asking, surrounding his investment strategies and work in consulitng, but I would like advice on how I should approach this meeting.
So breath. First, congrats on getting the call. Second, I would consider it big if it is over $20B in AUM but that's just me. Third, don't ask for an internship as they are likely not hiring high schoolers. You want to focus on asking him questions about his background as well as what skills you think you need in this industry. Keep in mind, you are in high school, so he will understand that you don't know that much about this space. Even ask him questions about the market. As far as trying to leverage him goes, just keep in touch with him and update him whenever you get a job or interview. Try to contact him every few weeks to a month. Good luck.
Thanks for the Advice!
Yeah, it probably makes sense not to ask for an internship, since I don't have much skill they would want. I think I'll just focus on asking him advice on how he got to the positions he got to, and try to show a little bit of knowledge in the field.
I mostly agree except on one point - my old firm, asset manager over 1T, hired local high school students for 2 week shadow programs. Great entry point & contacts for people so young!
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