I told MIT Students to Focus on Interpersonal Skills. Here’s Why
Hassan Akram
CEO @ City Careers Coach | Ex-recruiter helping students enter elite careers | Highest starting salary at 21 ￡150,000 | Harvard, MIT, Yale, Times of India
This article is written by Hassan Akram, the CEO of City Careers Coach. We help students enter the world’s most elite finance careers through our experience as elite finance recruiters. Hassan has spoken at Harvard, MIT, and Yale on this and writes in the Times of India on getting into elite careers. He’s recruited for elite corporate careers, including investment banks, corporate law firms, and venture capital funds. He has also interviewed 1,000+ professionals from Goldman Sachs, Kirkland & Ellis, and McKinsey. 100% of our clients are successful at the CV stage. 95% secure at least one corporate career. Our highest client starting salary is $180,000 at 21. We have an in-depth understanding of passing recruitment processes for elite, high-paying, and prestigious finance careers.
Check our case studies of clients securing offers. Here’s Dhruv who secured multiple offers at investment banks and a hedge fund, Aryan who secured an offer at an investment bank, and a client who requested to stay anonymous client at a boutique investment bank in the M&A division.
INTRODUCTION
As the CEO of City Careers Coach, I’ve had the remarkable opportunity to speak at leading universities globally. My engagement at MIT Sloan with their MBA students was especially significant, focusing on a crucial corporate world skill — effective communication. A skill that can transform careers.
The Core of High-Flying Careers
In the intense world of finance and business, communication transcends being just a skill — it becomes an essential tool. This is especially the case in careers such as private equity. At MIT Sloan, I conveyed this: your ability to effectively articulate your thoughts, whether during investor pitches, complex negotiations, or leading dynamic teams, fundamentally influences your success.
Tailoring to Your Audience
Understanding your audience is pivotal in effective communication. This principle is crucial whether you’re addressing the board or composing the perfect email. I highlighted the importance of shaping your messages to align with the audience’s background, interests, and expertise, particularly in today’s diverse and global business milieu.
The Importance of Clarity
In the finance sector, where time is synonymous with money, clarity in communication is indispensable. I urged Sloan students to master the skill of simplifying complex ideas into clear, succinct messages. This ability to communicate briefly and effectively is a priceless asset, whether in speech or writing.
Storytelling as a Powerful Tool
Storytelling holds a special place in the business arena. It’s not just engaging but also simplifies and brings life to complex topics. Drawing from my rich experience in finance recruitment, I demonstrated the power of storytelling as a vital tool in networking and interviews.
The Significance of Active Listening
Effective communication isn’t limited to speaking; active listening is equally vital. It enhances your understanding, strengthens relationships, and leads to thoughtful responses. Through interactive activities, I underscored its role in fostering impactful communication.
The Silent Communicator: Non-Verbal Cues
Non-verbal elements like body language and eye contact can speak louder than words. I shared insights on how these cues can complement or contradict your verbal messages, stressing the need for consistency in all communication aspects.
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Feedback as a Growth Mechanism
Feedback is a cornerstone of progression in any ambitious career. The art lies in giving and receiving it constructively, focusing on continual improvement. I explored methods to deliver meaningful feedback, an essential skill for any leader.
Mastering the Digital Realm
In our increasingly digital world, adeptness across varied communication platforms is crucial. Each channel, from emails to virtual meetings, has its nuances. Our discussion ventured into how digital communication reshapes business interactions.
Concluding Reflections: Honing Communication Skills
I concluded the session by encouraging the students to view effective communication as a continually evolving skill. It’s an art that requires practice, self-awareness, and adaptability.
At City Careers Coach, these communication fundamentals are integral to our coaching, equipping our clients not just for interview success but for enduring excellence in their careers. Whether breaking new ground in elite law firms or dominating trading floors at Goldman Sachs, effective communication is the differentiator for our clients.
As I left MIT Sloan, I was confident that the future leaders there now possessed a deeper understanding and appreciation of communication’s art — a vital skill for their ascent in the world of finance and business.
Please visit our blog on The Times of India for guidance on entering elite careers: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/author/hassan-akram/
Check our case studies of clients securing offers. Here’s Dhruv who secured multiple offers at investment banks and a hedge fund, Aryan who secured an offer at an investment bank, and a client who requested to stay anonymous client at a boutique investment bank in the M&A division
ABOUT US
We help students secure the world’s highest-paying finance careers.
‘Really clear and structured frameworks. Genuinely world-leading. I’m a former private equity investor and was impressed by the depth of their knowledge for elite careers, such as private equity and venture capital. Can’t wait for them to come to HBS again.’
‘I honestly had never heard about City Careers Coach. But they honestly blew me away with the truly personalised nature of the programmes. I got spring weeks at investment banks, hedge funds, and I secured experience at a PE fund. I have a summer internship at an investment bank coming (BNP Paribas). I’m fairly confident I’ll convert this to a full-time offer through the firm’s internship conversion programme.’
‘City Careers Coach was incredibly helpful in my CV recruitment process. I had gathered useful pieces of recruitment information from various sources prior to meeting Hassan, but he was able to bring it all together to help me have a clear picture of what a good recruitment strategy looks like. Beyond being extremely knowledgeable, Hassan, the firm’s CEO, was incredibly flexible, friendly, and willing to help out in any way — I would highly recommend Hassan to anyone looking to break into elite finance careers.’
City Careers Coach is an international network of freelance finance recruiters. We are from investment banking, corporate law, and private equity backgrounds. We provide premium, bespoke, and personalized 1–1 career development programmes. These are for university students looking to enter elite corporate high-paying careers. We have an exceptionally strong track record. 100% of our clients pass CV stage. 90% of our clients secure at least one internship or graduate role. And our average client starting salary is ￡150,000.
Check our case studies of clients securing offers. Here’s Dhruv who secured multiple offers at investment banks and a hedge fund, Aryan who secured an offer at an investment bank, and a client who requested to stay anonymous client at a boutique investment bank in the M&A division
Please visit our blog on The Times of India for guidance on entering elite careers: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/author/hassan-akram/