Asking an MD for an Informational Interview

Hey everyone,

So at a recent information session, I had a conversation with an MD that went pretty well and ended with me getting his contact information. I am about to follow up and I want to know if he is too senior for me to be asking for an informational interview with? I am an undergradute BTW.

 
Best Response

I would say first off it depends how comfortable you are on the phone, and how confident you are in your ability to make a conversation and keep it going. If you feel good about these, I'd say absolutely go for it. I asked myself a similar question ("should I reach out or am I going to look stupid?") 100 times, and was more often than not pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I'd say most people, regardless of title, are generally good and willing to help. You're going to run into assholes in the process, and I would just cross their name out and move on. But, if you're wondering about initial contact, I think the answer is always "yes". I would argue that most MD's don't get contacted a lot for informational interviews, and they may be willing to help. As analysts, we get hit up a lot more. I had calls with a few people when I was networking that totally scared me going in (i.e. went to Harvard, head of a group, military experience, etc.), and often found that these guys were more helpful than the analysts. Short answer: go for it.

 

Of course it's fine. The MD is just another human being, not some god.

Send him a casual email like the following:

"Hi Mark the MD,

Thanks again for taking the time to chat with me the other day. I really enjoyed our conversation, especially the advice you gave me how to be a good analyst. Would you have some time this or next week for a quick coffee so that I can gain some more insight into Goldman Sachs and the IB industry in general? Thanks!

Best,

Pnng196"

 

Definitely agree with what the people above said. Higher-ups (AVP, VP, SVP, MD, Head) are usually pretty helpful and resourceful if they have the time or willingness to dispense some useful advice and perspective (of course some will brush you off). Just be polite, ask intelligent questions, and listen and it should go pretty well. (Not saying that analysts and associates aren't helpful or resourceful)

 

Email them. You go to their alma mater and see that they are in banking and you are interested in the field and want to learn more about it and hear about their path, how they got in and how they are seeing things. See how it goes. Don't keep the call too long. Try to get them talking about themselves, not just their job. Hopefully you can express interest in what they do or whatever. And if you can't take the information they give you and follow up a short while later for the internship.

When you follow up, emphasize how their story/guidance got you more interested and you really want to explore this as a potential career option (ie with an internship).

If they do not respond, email again. After that call them. Don't have their number? Call the general line and ask to speak with their assistant. Tell him/her who you are, you heard about the alum and that he is here and wanted to ask him about his industry and career path and that it would only be a 10 minute call (once these guys talk its a lot more).

If that doesn't work, move on to the next one.

Good Luck

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

Contact them starting a conversation. They are normal people and if you have something interesting/useful to say they will respond 100% of the time. The mess about having to be alumni improves your chances is bs.

 

generally agreed with the above though if your school is big about alumni involvement (mine is) then it can make a huge difference on an individual basis. Some senior people go to significant lengths to meet/speak with kids from their alma mater (I can say that from personal experience).

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

Totally agree. A gentlemen agreed to sit down with me (which lasted almost 2 hours), and the only thing he knew about me is that I went to the same school as him and have decent grades. Safe to say that helped my chances

 
IlliniProgrammer:
1.) It's not an informational interview. It's a "beer", or if you aren't 21, it's "coffee".

2.) Def. the MD.

3.) Don't expect him to help you. If he likes you, he will simply make sure you're considered as much as any other candidate. Actually, a VP, even maybe an Associate, can do that for you.

This, basically word for word. Ask for "advice" and try to work on developing a legit connection with the guy. Remember that he may not be able to hook it up for you, but down the road he might be able to, and he also may know a guy who knows a guy, ect.

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with saying informational interview.

Just send an email, but keep it short. There's a rough template on Mergers and Inquisitions that worked well for me this past summer. Basically just introduce yourself, where you met, state your interest, ask for a couple of minutes to talk about their career/group/bank, and maybe propose a time.

 

It was setup as an informational interview. Just say it straight up at the beginning?

I've done many info interviews but haven't with a group that has a spot on, which is why I am asking this. I'm also an MSF with a couple internships (one IBD SA), so I need to position as best as possible cause it looks like they're seeking a lateral.

 

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