Meeting with bankers soon, seeking advice

One piece of advice. Don't sell yourself short by insisting that you "have to" work at a particular function (IBD vs ER) with a particular industry group (TMT only instead of FIG, Healthcare, Consumer).

For example, when talking to the MD in Equity Research who covers TMT, even if you hated working as a Research Associate for TMT Coverage, and you want to do ER for Consumer Coverage, always says, "My main interest is in ER. Although I am interested in covering Retail companies, and I am open to cover other sectors as well. My main motivation is to work at a sell-side research shop. I want a foot in the door and I am interested in function over sector."

Always be flexible with your career choice. And again, when you meet the MD in IBD Energy group, don't force down his throat that you just want to do IBD M&A in Tech. Take some time to listen to why he likes what he does. (I made this exact same mistake with a MD at Nomura IBD Mining Group. I kept talk about IBD Consumer and he blew me off.) And again if you were interested in getting into IBD, always says, "Although I prefer TMT Coverage, I am more interested in IBD function and I am willing to explore options in working at other industry coverage groups, including Energy Coverage".

In summary, all of these guys have the power to hire you for their groups. So just ask them about their experience. How their team is coming along (hint: future headcount). Focus on selling your general skill sets: 1) knowing how to follow a sector, 2) knowing how to build financial models, 3) having the work ethics, humility and willingness to learn. Pitch yourself to get a job within their group.

Why not ask them to refer you to other groups? Because they have the most power in making the hiring decision for their groups, not other people's group. Therefore, your best chance is to secure a position within their groups and not the other way around.