Patrick Curtis

Here's a decent template: [name] - thank you again for taking the time out of your busy day to give me more insight on [X] group. I hope you don't mind if I stay in touch as recruiting approaches and I'm wishing you all the best this [holiday coming up]. Best Regards, Patrick

The questions you ask can make or break an informational interview. If you try to sound smart by asking very technical questions? DING. If you try to ask boring questions or it's obvious you're reading from a pre-prepared list? DING. The best questions are ones that show you've done your homework and understand the job, the firm and the group and you're looking for more specific answers... AND the best questions are the follow up questions that show you are actively listening. Everything else is usually just weaker.

While budgeting isn't always the most fun task, when you have income that is very volatile, it's absolutely critical that you are building a safety net so that when you hit a slow period, you can still keep your stress levels down and bank account healthy. Any commission based role, including investment banking is often very risky. After a big deal, it may be tempting to assume another one is just around the corner, but it's also important to be prudent and put some away so you're not tempted to spend it on something you don't need. This is why I'm a big fan of automated investments... not necessarily because they beat most hedge funds (because they do), but because they keep you in the scarcity mindset and your bank account low.

Whenever delivering constructive feedback to anyone, I like to make sure it's also softened with positive feedback as well. Most of us are sensitive, especially bankers that are passionate about their work and if you try to just criticize without praising what they are doing right, you will often make them defensive rather than receptive to the feedback.

It's critical in any negotiation that you approach your colleagues from a place of respect and try to understand their perspective. If you are going to be a valuable and respected part of the team, it's important that you let your voice and opinion be heard, but that you also genuinely listen to the opinion and arguments of your team members. Ideally, after enough collaborative discussion, you can all arrive at a mutual decision or at the very least, an understanding of why the team went a specific direction, even if you still disagree.

One decent example that I've heard a lot of our younger students use is that one of their weaknesses is public speaking. While for a more senior professional this would be a red flag, for young interns it's less of a concern since they won't be tasked with presenting in front of clients for years. Just remember, every time you share a weakness, explain how you are addressing it and improving upon it so that it will soon no longer be a weakness but a strength!