How to approach a BB partner for job
I am looking to break into IB blah blah blah
Anyway, I have no finance experience (4 years as an actuary), no MBA from a top school (MS in Actuarial from Boston U), bad undergrad record from a very good liberal arts school (2.5 gpa - too much beer). However, I do know have a good relationship with a partner at a BB bank. Specifically, he is the head of IB in SE Asia; the dude a big-timer. How should I approach him for help landing a job. Obviously, I would have no chance at even an interview without the networking approach, but I'm hoping he can at least get me an interview.
Thanks in advance for the feedback.
I'm even looking forward to hearing response from some of the tools who just sit around this forum bashing posts like this. Gives me a good chuckle.
Fuck you! No just kidding, I don't even understand why so many people bash others on this site.
So i'll give you my entirely unqualified opinion (I am senior in from a non-target trying to break in, I have a couple of final rounds with BB's, one for IBD, one for S&T). Take my opinion for whatever you thinks its worth.
Since you were an actuary I assume you must be very good at math, so maybe being a quant analyst would be a good fit? I'd try to get an idea of where you think you'd fit in the industry. As far as approaching ur partner friend, it is a rather tough situation. Is he your age or older? (changes the approach)
You could make it a process, like starting asking him about what he does, showing an interest, and then over time ask him what he thinks of your trying to enter the industry? I talking a time frame of minimum a few weeks here. That way he sees that your convo to him is not one-off, but something you've considered thoughtfully. That way he'll give you the benefit of the doubt and not laugh and hopefully be somehwat encouraging.
Instead of asking him for his help, just tell him you think you are going to break into the industry. if he wants to help, there is a 99% chance he'll offer. If not, ask him in a round about way, like say you are applying to this position (which happens to be at his firm) and was wondering if he could give you some info about it (read--not explicitly asking him for help).
All of this depends on the type of guy he is, the age difference between you, and how close you really are.
Hope this helps.
Wine him and dine him. Make him love you. If he can't hire you, then get him to go to bat for you in another group.
Damn, I thought you were going to say that he would definitely just appoint me to an MD role, but thanks for the input.
Anyways, yes I am good at math, but frankly I don't really care for the math-heavy jobs anymore. I'm much more of a people person than a number cruncher, and I always felt a little out of place in an actuarial department (although there are a lot more personable actuaries out there than most people think). What attracts me most to IB is the possibility to work intimately with a team. As an actuary, I spent 95% of my time hacking away at the computer and communicating results to stakeholders, but never really had much real teamwork. I played college basketball and miss the camaraderie, and felt in actuarial everyone was more like a lone wolf. Also, I like high pressure environments with promotion and compensation tied to the results you achieve rather than corporate bureaucracy (ironic, I know, since I am trying to enter the field a fairly bureaucratic way).
EIther way, the partner is 44 and I'm 27. Our relationship has been 100% social, but I'm pretty sure he likes me and I know his wife loves me if that helps. Requesting a face to face meet would be tough since he's in Asia, but I think I would be comfortable giving him an email and requesting some time on the phone.
Anyway, thanks again.
Your best move is to have a phone conversation with him. Just ask him for an informational call to discuss his job, career, and what he would do to pursue a career in finance if he was in your shoes. I have had very good success networking in this manner because generally, by the end of the call the person will do one of three things:
i) have you talk to one of the junior guys to understand what sort of role you would go into ii) offer to forward your resume directly iii) not overtly come out and try to help you
Options i and ii are very common. I have never had iii happen but if it did, I would just get more direct in the follow up.
Hard to do when she's in Hong Kong, plus my wife wouldn't be happy with that approach.
But seriously, thanks for the input everyone and I will let you know how it goes.
This is easy, tell his wife you want a job. I guarantee you he'll do whatever she says haha
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