Networking is working.....I think.
So...I've been networking a little bit. I've only sent out about 30 emails in the past 6-7 weeks. I've been surprised by how many responses I've gotten back. I think about 12 or 13 people have responded back, 6 or 7 people have responded back with some very good advice.
I emailed an MD at a boutique bank in Houston (this was last week). He told me to give him a call (which I did). We spoke about how to break into the industry and how my skills (at my current job) can be useful in an analyst role at an IB. He told me that they weren't looking to add any analysts to their team at the moment but told me that if positions did come up he would try to recommend me. He also said that he will notify me if analyst positions open up at other banks.....this guy was pretty nice, he's an alumni.
Another response I got was from a VP at a major MM Ibank in Houston. I got a reply from her about a month ago and she also told me to call her but when I did her secretary said she was out on maternity leave. I thought I would never hear back from her but I got a call from her last night and she left a message. I'm supposed to call her today in a few hours to discuss investment banking and how to break in..blah blah blah blah....I want her to remember me, especially since I went to a non-target and EVERY analyst at this firm went to some target school. This is definitely the firm I want to work for.....
I'm hoping that I can somehow standout (if that's even possible on the phone) so that she remembers me when recruiting season comes around. In my very first email to her more than a month ago I was genuinely interested in learning about ibanking and how to break, but to be honest I know quite a bit about banking in general now considering how long I've been on this forum.
Any advice on how I should approach this phone call.....
Thanks
Make it personal. Ask her about maternity leave, her kids, her family. It's networking, which now you're trying to 'sell' yourself. You do that by making a personal connection. Only then move on to the actual banking conversation, maybe even bridge it with a question on how she handled maternity leave in such a demanding workplace. You'll get her talking and then let her keep talking, prodding with questions every now and then. If you let people talk, often they volunteer lots of additional information which opens further discussion points. (But have a list of questions and objectives you want to achieve after the call, what do you want to find out?)
^ I don't think you want to ask her about maternity leave, her kids, or her family, especially during the first call. That's kind of awkward and too personal to talk about non-chalantly when you don't even know her.
I would stick to keeping it strictly professional. When I networked, I always asked how I could better position myself for interviews and if they could provide me with any tips, etc.
People love to talk about themselves; ask how she got started.
People love to brag about accomplishments; ask what her biggest accomplishments are (project-wise)
People love to bitch about how hard their jobs are; ask her what the hardest part of her jobs is as a VP vs when she was an analyst.
People love to give opinions; ask what's the most important trait for a new guy to have
Also, make sure you thank her for her time at least twice. She won't think you're grateful if you only thank her once.
Good luck!
Awesome advice, using it on a call tomorrow
I wouldn't be too much of a cock-sucker if I were you. I remember I had a superday at JPM in college and this one kid would constantly talk about how great the MD's and other seniors were.....I mean it was unbearable...I wanted to reach over and literally slap THE SHIT out of this guy for being such a tool.
I think Victor's advice is pretty sound, but it's a doubleedged sword. You gotta do just the right amount of dick-sucking, not too much and not too little. Be yourself and you'll be fine.... good luck.
Good stuff man, i go to a complete non-target, the only thing is in my school only about 15 people I found are actually in F.O and I have had few calls in in June, have three coming up one with a VP at Elite Boutique, one with an MD at a MM and one with a group head at a BB.. I had a call with a Group head yesterday and the call lasted 7 minutes(anyway i can recover from this?), i got shook up real bad, though he did tell me to send him my resume and if i have any questions to follow up with him...I'm hoping by full time season, to have 5-9 interview lined up and walk away with one offer.
I emailed these two alumni who are MD at top MM and never responded called them today and got the sectary and told me they were busy. I wish they would help me out, going call them Tuesday send them another email and if nothing happened call it quits with them.
I talked to this Associate whos an alum but is BO/MO and he just got promoted to VP, we spoke a month ago, should i still purse ? Also I spoke with a non-alum at a BB, who just left to go to PE, should I email him asking about hows the PE life style? How are the hours and the work compared to IB? And when F.T season rolls in ask for referrals?
When you get in touch, "Hi, I'm so glad to get in touch with you, I was told you were out on maternity leave, so I'm very happy you found time to talk to me." If she doesn't acknowledge taking time off, leave it alone...play it by ear.
And yeah, D, all of the above
Well I took globalmacro's advice and congratulated her on her new baby. She responded well I think and she told me how she had the baby two days earlier than she was supposed to...my point being she was willing to talk about it. I gave her a little background on myself including my current work experience (fortune 5 oil&gas). She then shared her own background with me.
I only talked to her for like 10-15 minutes, but she told me that her team had just discussed this morning about adding another analyst (I'm thinking she wouldn't share this if she didn't like me). She told me to contact HR and copy her on the email. She said if they like what they see (resume) then they will call me for an interview....
I'm going to post my resume and let you guys tear that shit to pieces. I really appreciate everyones responses. You guys are fucking great...
Is this for F.T? or S.A? BTW good shit, I really hope you get. Represent us non-targets.
This is for FT. I've been working for a major oil company for the past 6 months. I graduated in December of 2010.
Mannnn I really hope I can get the interview....I love my current job but I've always wanted to do investment banking.
What do you do at said oil company? I'm assuming since you're applying at this elite boutique in Houston you are trying to join a natural resources group and have a technical background. Having made the transition from an integrated E&P to a Houston Ibank I can tell you that having a technical background goes a long way. Nat res groups kill for decent engineers, particularly reservoir/petroleum engineers. If you can show them that you understand how the technical aspects of resource extraction are married to the financial aspects you're golden. Best of luck!
pacman.....
just a random question. Are you still in ugrad?
I've been working for 6 months now. Looking to break in man.
How does your networking differ from an undergrad?
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