Hello,
I haven't had this issue yet, but I'm wondering how you guys have dealt with interviewing at firms in your current office building (or very close by). I work at a place (and in a region) where nobody wears a suit to work, so it would seem weird to my co-workers if I did wear one to work and then disappeared for a while, but I also wouldn't generally interview without wearing a suit. Additionally, for longer interviews, I think it would be weird if I said I was going to be gone for 1-2 hours for an appointment, but ran into one of my co-workers outside the office.
Maybe I'm over thinking this, but what're your thoughts?
Use the bathroom on their floor to change. Leave the suit in a locker at the gym before and after.
take the day off work
That only works if none of your coworkers see you when you enter the building, which is always possible.
different solution: don't worry about it until it's an issue
It’s not really something I’m worried about, just something that came to mind and I wanted to see how other people did it.
Why don't you tell the potential company that you'll be going in without a blazer and ask if that's OK given the circumstances?
This. Had an interview in the same building, and since it was still in the early stages I just came with a dress shirt and tie. Interviewer completely understood my need for discretion and even offered to reschule during the early evening to avoid senior bankers eyes. It all depends but the way I see it, unless you're interviewing somewhere where FaceTime is pivotal, they won't stress it.
Sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the advice!
Say you are going to a funeral.
That funeral will be for his job when his boss just happens to be going down to the first floor when he's walking in for the interview.
Change in the stairwell
Reminds me of the first time I jumped ship. Our biggest rival firm was right across the street from ours, and it was where 80%+ of our people went when they left. Our MD used to spend his lunch hour glued to the window to see if anyone was walking anywhere near their building.
Must've been a really interesting guy.
And yeah the other thing is that nearly every other firm I'd like to work for is on the same street as us and within 3 blocks. Not nearly as much of an issue though.
Just say you're going to [insert event] after work. Could be a nice dinner, a networking event, whatever. Nobody will ask. Keep your tie off until you leave the building, then put it on in the lobby of the other place...done is a bunch of times without issue.
Got the same issue once. In my previous firm (Big-4), you never expect a 1st year consultant to wear suit with a tie. I have left my jacket and tie in a wardrobe and got it on at invterviewers bathroom.
carry a duffel bag with your tie and blazer stuffed in it, pretend like you're heading to the gym to pump some iron
Networking with an investment bank adjacent to current workplace (Originally Posted: 05/13/2014)
So I am currently working my first post-university (UCLA) job in Los Angeles; my goal is to eventually work as a quant (my educational background is applied & computational mathematics and financial mathematics). However, I want to obtain some industry experience first (2-4 years) before I either a) head to grad school or b) apply for quant jobs.
It seems I-banking (junior analyst level) is the traditional prove-yourself role, and the more I read about it, the more excited I am! (I have been reading this forum for several weeks now, and several of the articles on Mergers & Inquisitions and Leveraged Buyout.) The team environment, the hard work towards a notable accomplishment (i.e. closing a hard fought for deal), etc. are all appealing to me, despite the obvious drudgery analysts must endure.
So back to my current job...it is at an airline leasing company that is in the midst of being sold. I took the position through a temp agency just to generate some income while I conduct my job search for an analyst position.
The options in Los Angeles are obviously minimal for investment banking; buldge bracket isn't really an option, and I have often considered moving to NYC. But this is expensive, risky, etc. and it would be better I think to remain in LA and obtain that first 2-4 years experience at one of the "Big 4" located here, or at some boutique investment banks.
As it turns out, there is a very well-regarded boutique investment bank located here in the same skyscraper that I work at in Century City. I see analysts, associates, etc. walking around all the time.
Is there a way to exploit this opportunity to network and get my resume in front of the right people? Has anyone had experience being in similar circumstances? It seems to me it would end up being a wasted opportunity if I did nothing. I come in every day dressed in my suit and ready to do my job in our offices just above them, and so it's very tempting to engage them when I see them at lunch, talking about M&A deals, etc. as I am essentially ready for an interview at that moment.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
One important part of investment banking is maintaining confidentiality and dealing with sensitive information. You should not have named the firm to which you want to apply, especially considering your user name is probably based on your real name.
The best way to engage the bankers would be to say "Hello" to them, and then tell them that you are interested in investment banking.
Also, if you want to be a quant, you should apply for a job being a quant.
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