Informational Interview Etiquette
Okay, so I'm just beginning to do informational interviews, and I already used the search function and couldn't find the answer to these two questions:
1. How do you thank a person after an informational interview on the phone? Is just a simple email okay?
2. If you shoot them an email to ask them if they have "time to talk to you about their career", and they simply respond with their phone number, is it okay to call him/her or should I email to confirm a time? If it makes a difference, this specific person is an MD, so I really really don't want to waste his/her time...
Basic informational interview etiquette
Are there rules for an informational interview? Well yes and no. We'll lay out some basic guidelines.
Be considerate of the time of the person you are interviewing with. Schedule the meeting by proposing a venue and several times (provide options). This makes it easier on the interviewee.
Regarding your first question, a "simple email" is perfectly fine, although I never like to close a conversation. In other words you should definitely send an email to thank the person for his/her time, but then include a follow-up question as well to keep the conversation going. It's always easier to keep a conversation going, than to let one completely close and then re start it at a later date. A bit of back forth exchange early on will make it easier to keep it going in the months ahead.
To your second question, I would absolutely toss a time range out there, or a few days and times that work for you. Ask the person which time work best for him/her, or if none of those, then what would be a good time for the person. Thank the MD again in advance and close it out. Remember to be flexible and have good questions ready to go (don't fire them off rapid-fire style - pace yourself - but have some solid questions ready since, as you said, you don't want to waste his/her time).
IBanker www.BankonBanking.com [email protected] Articles, News, Advice and More Break Into Investment Banking
Thanks, that answer was perfect. Another quick question that might sound kind of stupid, if they say "call anytime, my schedule is flexible" can I actually call anytime unannounced, or should I email ahead first?
If they say anytime, try to aim for the 11am ballpark or 3-4pm. I would avoid calling in the morning as this is when people just get in and caught up, then 12-2pm becomes the lunch bracket, and then after 5pm it gets down to crunch time to start moving on with projects and figuring out the night ahead/what needs to be done before going home (this assumes senior guys, as junior guys generally aren't going home at 6-7pm - then again, many senior bankers aren't either).
In addition to that, if he says "call anytime," I would respond with an email that shows your enthusiasm, your appreciation, and gives him a ballpark. Something like "...I'll give you a call Tuesday at around 11:30am. If that doesn't work for, just let me know, otherwise I look forward to speaking with you then. Thank you again".
IBanker www.BankonBanking.com [email protected] Articles, News, Advice and More Break Into Investment Banking
One more piece of advice from personal experience...
Now that I am on the other side of the table, I have seen a couple of prospective bankers email me and tell me that they understand that I am busy and I should call them whenever I am free.
I don't think about calling students when I'm not busy.
Am I being too big of a dick here?
As a prospective banker/wall-streeter I would never ask YOU to call ME. Isn't that common knowledge? Or am I networking all wrong...hmmm, maybe I should try to be more demanding when I network? Like, "If you have a moment in the next 10 days, please give me a job."
yeah, i'm with you man. i'm just saying this is something that has annoyed me lately.
informational interview etiquettes (Originally Posted: 06/30/2014)
I organised to meet up with a trader. He says he is free half an hour later than the time I suggested. I have agreed but the only problem is I am scheduled to meet an md at another bank an hour later. The two banks are 15/20 min apart. Would it be rude or show lack of interest if I say at the beginning I can only meet for 30/35 min? He does know i live far away and it is quite expensive to get into the city. .
I would start the meeting by asking how much time HE has, and then if it's "oh, I've got several hours," then say "that's great! I'll make the most of our time together but I have to scoot for an appointment at around 30-40 minutes, is that ok?" he will say yes.
Ok that's good. The thing is he has said a while back that if I want he will sot with me for a couple of hours. BUT in the email I sent him I kind of acted innocent and said something like ....this should only take 15-20 min, I know how busy you are and so on... So I should hopefully be ok...
If he's willing to meet with you for multiple hours I'd take advantage of that to whatever degree you can. See if you can reschedule, meet him after your MD meeting or whenever. Even see if you can get in earlier in the day and meet.
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