Networking Call with BB MD - Public Finance

So I've been networking around trying to talk to as many people as I can and build up my network. Ultimately, I'm looking to move into a different role at hopefully a BB. My current job has become a bit mundane and slowed down significantly to the point I sometimes wonder to myself what I'm doing with my life.

So I emailed an alumni asking to connect with him and chat about his career and experiences in public finance. He replied back asking me to give him a call next week.

Please save the shpeal about why I shouldn't go for public finance because of prestige, or limited exit opportunity. Rather, please help me on how I should go about the networking call as I do not have as much experience networking with MD as I do with analyst/associates. What kind of intuitive and forward thinking questions should I ask, how I can go about hinting at getting a job there without directly asking him for a job or interview.

THANKS for reading this.

 
Best Response

I just had an informational interview with an MD earlier this morning, and it went very well. I conduct my phone calls with MDs the same as I would for an analyst/associate, or anyone for that matter. I start off thanking them for taking the time to speak with me, and then tell them I was hoping to hear about their experiences in finance, and then finally what advice he would have for me.

He spoke for about 10 minutes on what he's done, and then I spoke for about 5 minutes giving him "my story". After that we chatted for about 25 minutes on finance books we've read, and he recommended me some reads. He asked me what my goals were for the short-term and I told him I was just going to continue along with my finance curriculum, continue reading books, and work at getting as much working experience as I can. After that he told me his firm does hire summer analysts, and he would let me know in about 2 weeks if he had a position open for me.

I've never openly asked for an offer, but in my first contact cold-email I do bring it up when I say, "I was hoping I could have 15 minutes of your time over the phone sometime within the next week to speak with you about your experience in the investment industry, as well as any summer internships your firm may offer."

But I wouldn't stress too much about it - in my experience the only difference between speaking with an analyst or a VP/MD is that they sound older.

 
StryfeDSP:
I just had an informational interview with an MD earlier this morning, and it went very well. I conduct my phone calls with MDs the same as I would for an analyst/associate, or anyone for that matter. I start off thanking them for taking the time to speak with me, and then tell them I was hoping to hear about their experiences in finance, and then finally what advice he would have for me.

He spoke for about 10 minutes on what he's done, and then I spoke for about 5 minutes giving him "my story". After that we chatted for about 25 minutes on finance books we've read, and he recommended me some reads. He asked me what my goals were for the short-term and I told him I was just going to continue along with my finance curriculum, continue reading books, and work at getting as much working experience as I can. After that he told me his firm does hire summer analysts, and he would let me know in about 2 weeks if he had a position open for me.

I've never openly asked for an offer, but in my first contact cold-email I do bring it up when I say, "I was hoping I could have 15 minutes of your time over the phone sometime within the next week to speak with you about your experience in the investment industry, as well as any summer internships your firm may offer."

But I wouldn't stress too much about it - in my experience the only difference between speaking with an analyst or a VP/MD is that they sound older.

Good stuff thanks

 

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