Informational Interview with Managing Director
Hey guys,
I've read the forums for a long time but this is my first post, so I apologize if this has been asked before - I couldn't find a good response when I searched.
I have an informational interview over the phone with a managing director at an elite boutique in NY. I've done informationals with junior guys before and it's pretty straightforward (ask about their background, how they got into banking, what they like most about the job, etc). However, I don't really know what to ask the MD (I already know his background) and I was looking for some pointers on what questions to ask him that shows my interest in his bank and banking in general. Should I be asking about particular topics (if so which topics?) and how will this be different from informationals with junior bankers? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
are you a sophomore btw?
From my experience, MD's are the easiest to network with. They're generally older and like to take on the mentor role.
Just tell them your interested and you'd like to know their thoughts on the industry, their career, advice to a college student who's interested in banking etc.
I always like to ask what traits they look for in candidates and what traits successful analyst exhibit etc
Good luck. Dont be nervous
Same as junior people for the most part (dont ask about day to day work though)
How they started their career What differentiates their firm What has kept them in finance/at the firm for so long What makes a successful analyst Advice for pursuing summer opportunities How the industry has changed since they began career
That sort of thing
Awesome advice, thanks a lot Black Jack. Is it a good idea to keep the chat around 20 minutes long? If anyone else has any more advice about what questions to ask I'd really appreciate it.
Make him feel like he needs to invest in you. I'd say aim to keep it under 15 minutes, but have enough questions that if he asks "What else you got" you aren't out in the cold.
Great advice guys. Thanks.
informational interview with an MD (Originally Posted: 01/12/2010)
I just realized how stupid this is but I was dumb enough to email MDs and division heads, at BBs to ask for informational interviews. And some even agreed to do it...on the phone.
Now I am nervous. What are the okay questions to ask? I can't possibly ask their day to day activities... Will it look really bad if I screw up?
Oh by the way, this is my first time posting. Hi Guys!
Be genuine and have a plan. There people are busy so I wouldn't try and take up too much of their time. Start by thanking them and explaining how you are interested in the industry and are a junior (soph, watever) at XYZ school. Just ask them like 3-4 basic questions like why did they decide to go into IB, what they really look for when hiring people, general advice, whatever. Nothing completely stupid, but try and build a rapport with them. Thank them for their time, send a nice thank you email and move on.
It won't look good if you screw up, but honestly, it's pretty hard to screw up an informational interview if you just relax, prepare a few questions of genuine interest, be yourself and don't overthink it. It is pretty common to have informational interviews with senior bankers and it can be very informative and useful - especially if you put your best foot forward. Don't worry yourself to the point of sleepless nights over an info meeting and focus on just being yourself - ask relevant questions to you as a candidate and someone interested in the field - don't treat it as if you were interviewing the MD for a press release on a recent deal. Keep it relaxed, keep it casual and enjoy yourself. The more relaxed you are (within reason, of course, since you are always being judged), the more relaxed the MD will be and the better the session will go.
For a lot more tips on the networking meeting including questions, strategy, follow-up, etc, check this out:
http://www.bankonbanking.com/2009/08/25/effectively-working-the-informa…
Good luck and enjoy it - it's a great opportunity.
Thank you guys! So I won't have to look up on their recent deals or try to understand the role of their division/exact position in the league table/recent trends? I am just thinking that if I try to put together some smart ass questions it may end up backfiring on me. And I want the SA stint with their banks badly!
Don't try to be smart, or ask technical questions. You won't impress them, you'll bore them and make yourself look stupid. 40% is do you have a clue and 60% is do I like you. focus on that.
Def don't need to know decent deals. Maybe know a little about their industry, but keep it high level and let them talk. Focus on what they say, and the respond with relavent follow up questions. The WSO networking guide gives some good advice.
Plan a couple open-ended general questions, be genuine, and thank them.
informational interview with RE PE MD. (Originally Posted: 10/10/2013)
Hey,
I got this great opportunity to meet with an MD of a REPE firm, but I feel like I am lacking in information and questions to ask him specifically about real estate within the private equity spectrum. Would anyone be willing to suggest some good questions to ask?
I will do my own due diligence to get better background information, but this is a great opportunity for me and would love for some suggestions on things to ask.
Most of my questions thus far just general "PE" related, and the better the questions, the more conversational it becomes which is great.
Thanks guys
This question would be much easier to answer if we knew what property types or geographic area(s) the fund typically targets.
They focus on distressed and undervalued debt and equity opportunities in the U.S., Asia and Europe.They also focus on real estate, securitized loan obligations, and investments in other funds.
You can talk about cap rates in general, easy ice-breaker. You can figure out if they focus on any type of real estate (e.g. multi-family, medical, hotel...), where they see the best growth prospects. what type of strategies they employ in their distressed debt investments, what type of markets they operate in (public vs. private). you can talk about who their competitors are (reits, other pe shops)...what kind of market inefficiencies they look for/how to identify them to take advantage of. what their source of funds is, are they in an investment mode, or a "harvesting mode." have the been able to take advantage of low rates, how do they see the abnormal rate environment affecting business... the list goes on. Good luck!
talk about cap rates?? that sounds like an awful lunch..
Look up recent deals and ask about those.
informational interview with MD at a PE shop (Originally Posted: 02/03/2010)
Hey guys,
I'm going to call a founding MD (alumnus) at a decent PE shop tomorrow morning. Just want to hear you guys what to focus on. His assistant told me that I have probably 20 minutes. It seems questions like "how he broke into the field" etc. sound a little bit weird since he founded the firm and was very successful before that. You help on what to talk about will be highly appreciated.
Thanks!
what challenges in founding a firm vs working in one as an MD whats your day to day work like what advice do you have for breaking into PE how has PE changed since you started - regulatory, credit market standpoint what was your career path --> then ask from there (e.g. why move to PE after IB/XXX, what makes it different than XXX)
how many chicks does he bang a week?
Hey philliesphan, thanks a lot!
informational interview With MD at Elite Boutique (Originally Posted: 06/30/2011)
Dear Moneys,
I have set up a informational interview with one MD (actually head of IBD) at a top boutique firm (Rothschild/ Lazard/ Moelis), but I am wondering what should I say at the interview.
I asked him for help when I was applying for summer internship this year (I never met him before...) and he kindly helped to forward my CV. Although I failed the interview and couldn't get the offer, I would still like to meet up with him and maybe prepared for my next year's summer internship (I am a upcoming college junior).
Thank for the kind help and advice!
similar situation, interested as well
Same situation here got all prepared and then just 'fell down' during my SA interview it was pathetic and sad really although I'm going out for FT stuff at this point so take what I have to say with a grain of salt.
Anyways, I've been in contact with recuiters and bankers just as you have, knowing that the amount of spots left for FT is \smaller now due to hiring SAs. Its good to be proactive obviously and I think the first thing you should do is demonstrate off the bat that you are doing something meaningful in finance and give them a reason to want to talk to you. This is like a "yeahhh for XYZ reasons that were one time occurance I didn't get the slot, but I've worked hard/against the odds and got this opportunity and now I'm really benefiting from it etc." I think the impression here is to not come off as 'damaged goods' and also to reiterate commitment to IBD or whatever it is that you want b/c everyone has a bad day/interview/learns etc., but everyone also has an excuse. So give him/her a reason to want to speak to you again.
Ask the usual questions about fit, culture, maybe review deals etc. but the goal should be to show commitment, that you're useful, and that you're a brand new shiny you..
sincere interest in the business is key, try and talk about the industry, about the firms positioning and deal flow, the more you can converse with him the better. Key is let him talk about himself the more he does this the better you come out looking. worked for me.
Best Advice for working on Wall St.:
The more you can build the ego of your superiors, the more they like you.
That doesn't mean be a suck up and act like a complete idiot....ask intelligent questions relevant to your LOB that force them to discuss their career, accomplishments, past projects/deals and also where they're headed. It shows that you have an interest in being where they are and they'll love it.
Now start climbing the ladder
INFO INTERVIEW W/ A MD AT BB (Originally Posted: 12/29/2010)
Hey guys,
Just need some advice, i am a bit nervous. So I have an informational initerview type of meeting tomorrow with an MD from a BB Bank. this is huge opportunity and could lead to an interview and possibly an offer.
I was wondering what it would be like if any one has experience with this, and mroe importantly what types of questions should i ask, whats appropriate, what will he ask me? since he is a MD i feel like its different than other interviews.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks guys!!
Search bar . . . so many threads about this.
informational interview with a MD (Originally Posted: 02/22/2013)
I contacted a MD at a local boutique inquiring about any open positions they might have. I basically just introduced myself and attached my resume and told him I was looking forward to hearing from him.
He got back to me and said they are currently a small, growing shop and not looking to fill any specific positions this spring but will continue to add to the staff as they grow. Then he suggested having a phone call to "introduce ourselves and learn a little bit more of what I'm looking for."
Can't really get a read on what this means/if there's a potential job opp here. Let me know what you guys think and any advice on how to approach my phone call with him. Thanks
always good to reach out and meet some new people. even if there isn't something right now, if he likes you he might share some contacts or have something for you in the future. for these types of situations i would just research the firm, the guys history, and make sure you have your story down
I've been researching the firm's past deal flow and trying to develop some questions to ask based on that, do you think that's good or should I be focusing more on how convince this guy to hire me?
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