What would you ask the CEO of an MM bank in a coffee chat

Just learned recently I have a wild family and hometown connection to a CEO at a successful MM bank and after talking with some family I will probably be able to grab 15 minutes of his time. Background I’m new to financial services and have been interning a back and middle office focused “development program” at a BB. I didn’t hear the words investment banking until a few months ago and would love to do it but from a ~T30 school and am graduating next year so it’s looking kinda bleak. Obviously he can’t just give me a job but I think the opportunity is awesome regardless. I figured I would just ask him about himself and hopefully he likes me enough to give me some sort of shout of but was wanting to hear if anybody else has any suggestions. Cheers

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Don't go in trying to have a list of "smart" questions

Go in with an understanding of investment banking and an "I want to learn" attitude

Ask him about himself, his path to where he is now, key lessons and pearls of wisdom he would share with someone like yourself

Don't treat it like a job interview, approach it like one of multiple conversations where you are building your credibility

Focus on turning it into a relationship, not an interview​​​​​​​

 

Be humble. Show respect and don’t call him “bro” or do stuff like that. This applies to everything in life tbh. Recognize that it may be casual, but still it’s professional. At least in this context.
Be a real person. Very simple but don’t go in there like a robot. I have friends who literally turn into a different person when in certain situations. Don’t be them. This just takes practice, but be comfortable.

 

Also, forgot to mention: when people at that level start getting involved in hiring it can raise eyebrows. We live in a world where HR may get pissy if someone at that level starts doing something they see as undermining them. I’ve experienced this a couple times myself and it turns into an issue if pressed. However CEO should be high enough where that ceases to be an issue again

 

Yeah lol CEO bothered me so I am not gonna hire the guy he talked to me about.


That sounds like the fastest way to get fired if you ask me.

 

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