So I contacted an alumni about 10 days ago, and he finally got back to me today. He is an energy trader for Cargill, and Cargill is a company I am interested in working with in the futurre. I am currently a sophomore, and have had no relevant experience. However, I am fascinated with the market, especially global commodity trading. I realize that I am not ready for a junior summer internship ( no relevant experience, too young) so what could I get out of this informational interview? Would it be possible to maybe do an informal internship with cargill for a couple of weeks over summer? Or would a junior internship be possible at my age?
Also, the interview will be over phone. I plan on asking some personal questions, like what classes he liked at my school, etc. I also plan on doing some research and coming up with some market based questions. Should I prepare answers? Also, when it comes to getting an opportunity out of this, I do not want to come as too pushy, so how should I ask him to help me?
Sorry for all the questions, this is my first time doing this.
Be humble. Ask for guidance. Don't act like you know anything cuz you don't
Guidance on what? Guidance on how to get a trading internship at Cargill specifically? I know I don't know anything, but I still want to do some due diligence and be able to ask questions that show I am interested and somewhat in tune to the macro market. Do shops like Cargill offer programs that aren't full time internships but are more like shadowing a trader to learn? If so, I would be interested, because right now I don't know enough, have enough experience and I am not networked well enough to get a real competitive position.
Any advice and insight appreciated.
Don't bother coming up with "market based questions" Just because people work in finance doesn't mean it is all they want to talk about. Ask about his career path and his job, ask informed questions and he'll be able to see that you did your research you don't need to start asking abstract questions about the euro debt crisis or the failure of the super committee.
EDIT: I wouldn't just come out and say "Hey man, you're an alumnus so you need to land me an internship." If you want to work at Cargill, ask him about Cargill look up some recent activity they have been involved in and comment on that.
informational interview with BB S&T (Originally Posted: 11/13/2008)
I have recently been referred to a Managing Director in S&T who is head of Institutional Sales. I have some general questions to ask, but does anyone here have any insightful topics to discuss or any suggestions for just how to go about leveraging the contact into an SA interview?
Do a search on informational interviews - it has been discusses numerous times.
Example: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-to-prepare-for-a-bb-ibd-sa-informati…
Tips for an informational interview with an equities Trader (Originally Posted: 06/04/2013)
I have an informational interview with an equities Trader in a couple of days. I have a passion for the markets, and love stocks. However, I am not sure exactly what questions I should ask. What are some good examples that of questions that you have asked, or have heard yourself?
Also, do any of you have some tips, and some DO'S and DONT DO'S
Thanks guys!
Know how to spell Bloomberg.
not to hate on you, but i get annoyed when i hear things like this: "I love stocks." It just doesn't make any f*cking sense. You can't just love all stocks equally!!! Lol. stocks stocks stocks all day you know what I mean.
Trading Informational Interveiw (Originally Posted: 07/01/2011)
Hey ya'll. Sophomore here in Chicago. I called up a trading shop and they are kindly setting up an informational interview with a trader next week. Any ideas what I should ask? Also, is it possible to intern at one post sophomore year? Thanks guys. Btws I got to a semi target T-15 school, high gpa, business analyst internship this summer at a smaller consulting firm. cool beans
Ask whatever you're interest in knowing related to trading. It's not that fucking difficult.
informational interviews With Traders (Originally Posted: 05/17/2010)
Is it common for traders to agree to meet for informational interviews after markets close? I just graduated and I'm still without a job. Do grads still use informational interviews or are they more geared towards undergrads looking for a SA position?
I had a few informational interviews with traders at boutique market-making firms that landed me an internship while I was a sophomore, but it's all a numbers game. I made calls to over 100 firms and had 3 informational interviews. You have to be good on the phone and expect to be shut down 95 times out of 100, at least.
You're going to need to share some more info about your background and experience if you want anyone here to be able to give you the best advice for your situation.
Also, reach out to your network, you'd be surprised who you know that works for a bank...even if they are on the buy-side chances are they know some traders and firms of all sides.
I.E. just because you know someone in Asset Management, don't exclude them from your list of job leads, Asset managers know traders and traders will do anything to help those asset managers because they are their clients most likely.
^ Granted thats only really applicable to institutional trading/brokerage, it's a good way to break into a firm
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