Alumni Lunch?
I have exchanged a few emails with an alum at a PE firm who has offered to put me into the mix for the 2016 recruiting group which will be happening in January. He has encouraged me to keep in touch and, judging from our email exchange, seems to be genuinely interested in helping me.
Is it too aggressive to ask to grab lunch some time? We have only exchanged emails. Maybe a better idea would be to start with a phone call?
I would appreciate hearing other's progression of building a relationship similar to this scenario.
I'd ask for a phone call or coffee first and probably the phone call.
Hard to tell based on limited facts, but I always tended to aim for in person meetings. That is the biggest way to make an impression.
ask for a breakfast or coffee first if you are in the same location. lunches are for more important people than you
Start with coffee/brekkie/ "whatever is most convenient for him/her" this might mean drinks/lunch etc. No need to get too bothered and worry about it. Be flexible and give that person options to show that you respect their time.
Good Luck
Love the let's grab coffee move. If he likes you, he might even suggest lunch instead, or something better. I landed my current gig after I warm-emailed an alumni to grab coffee; he had me come into the office instead and I ended up interviewing with half the team. Asking for an in-person is never a bad move.
Like others have said, in person meetings are far superior to emails, calls or even Skyping, and that's not just for networking purposes but for doing business in general. Even in this high tech world, pressing the flesh makes a big difference. And it's not too aggressive to ask to meet.
And ask for coffee and if he offers up lunch go for it. Coffee means that you're not stuck somewhere waiting for food to come or for the check in case conversation dries up. I rarely recommend drinks on a first meet up. I'm not quite sure why but I think it can just come off as slightly weird, and I am almost never against having drinks. Second meeting, definitely try for drinks.
bullshit, our first meeting is going to be drinks, and lots of them
Lunch with Alumnus Question (Originally Posted: 05/21/2013)
I emailed an alumnus (Managing Director of MM IB | hitter | from PE to IB) a couple months ago asking for an internship and he got back to me yesterday. We are having lunch in one of the very fancy cafes of Boston soon. Since I am new to this game of networking, I am kind of amazed to go out to lunch with such a top shot. I was wondering:
The lunch interviews I've been on serve 2 purposes:
a.) MD is hungry and wants to eat b.) He wants to hear your story and see how you are in person (obviously)
In response to your questions:
1.) I like to think of every meeting (regardless if it's a coffee meet, a call, drinks, lunch, etc.) as an interview. Know your stuff beforehand and research his/her firm, deals, etc. 2.) Very rare, in my experience, but the greatest opportunity to make the best possible impression. Go to that lunch fully prepared for anything and everything. 3.) Because maybe he hasn't been there and wants to try it out. Maybe he's interested in your background? It doesn't matter. What matters now is that you have a shot that not many others get. 4.) Come in expecting nothing. Be humble. Ask for advice/tips/career insight/how to break in. If it goes well, he could potentially push you through the recruiting process and at best, maybe get you that internship. Don't think about the future; think about how you can work this to your advantage. 5.) WSO Technical/Behavioral guides + being outgoing and showing that you're smart. 6.) Ask good questions and try to get as personal as possible. Ask him about himself. He's a human being; he just happens to be a BSD and you're just a monkey.
Order something easy to eat and not messy
Forgot to mention this as well.
Don't go overboard with ordering either. Entree + drink = enough.
Get something that preferably comes pre-cut - whatever you do, don't get pasta/crap that takes forever to cut/has significant splash damage.
Thank you for your responses!
Mukesh Ambani once told me: "there is no such thing as a free lunch".
You have met Mukesh Ambani?!!
Anyone else?
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