Exploratory lunch in a job search

[k3am]

How much research would you put into this?

My old boss put me in touch with a guy heading up a relatively new practice at a different institution.  I already loosely know the guy from a prior life - we worked on a deal that didn't get consummated, and he has a good impression of me. We set up a lunch next week, and I'm curious how much effort I need to put into this. I tend to obsess, over plan, and it doesn't go anywhere. 

I know the basics of the company - location, a recent acquisition that would affect my role there, and generalities as to what they're looking for. Is this a situation where I need to be memorizing their asset size, locations, etc, or is it enough to show up and let him know I'm interested in what he has to say and let him tell me what I need to know. FWIW, I've interviewed several candidates at my level who have done just that and not batted an eye. 

[toratoratori]

Jan 15, 2015 15:04:28 GMT -5 privacy said:

If it were me, I'd prepare like I would for an interview. Mainly because it makes me feel prepared, and therefore less nervous, and then I can be more relaxed at lunch

Ditto this.

I don't know that you necessarily need to memorize all the details, but at least have a strong enough understanding that you can ask some more specific questions about your role and the overall vision of the practice.

[pitta12]

Yeah, I'd like to think that I would be comfortable winging it and having a more general conversation, but in actuality I would be too nervous and would prep like an interview.

[k3am]

See, on a lot of things I actually do better winging it. Particularly when it comes to work stuff, my presentations that go over the best are the ones were I JDGAF. The first time it happened, I was SO sick and SO hyped up on Vicodin.. I had the WORST ear infection and could only hear about half of what was going on around me. I never in my life received so many compliments on my presentation.

I'm almost thinking that I can get the basics of the organization down, and then spend most of my time drilling into the opportunity. It's for a relatively new business practice for them that he is running, so as far as seeing what he's looking for, his expectations, etc, those are only things I can get out of him. And if he's anything like most people growing a division, I'm sure he loves to hear himself talk.

For the most part, banks are interchangeable. The main differences are product sets, approval levels, sweet spots to play in, etc, a lot of which isn't really advertised. I don't have any contacts at the company I can get too may specifics about.

Plus, I'd have to get off boards and search, and if I'm doing that, I should really probably get off boards and work.

[k3am]

Also, I 100% know you're right. I'm just trying to set myself up for failure the best way I know how, apparently.