Had a few questions regarding cold calling/emailing for FT positions. For cold-emailing, do you guys usually email MD-level or analyst level at small shops? Additionally, do you include your resume with first email and just flat out say you are looking for a FT time and would appreciate the consideration? Or do you just send a I'm interested in investment banking, I'd like to hear about your experiences then slowly working your way into interviewing for a FT job?
For cold-calling, do you guys traditionally call the office line or MD line or how exactly do you approach that?
If anyone could provide some specifics about how they went about the process it'd be extremely helpful.
Thanks
I called MDs because I didn't have the time to try to develop relationships with analysts to refer me to associates and then to vps and finally MDs (at least at smaller firms)... I would email the MD or call them directly and just have your pitch ready (2-3 minute story on why you and why banking)...
Would not include resume until they request it or you meet in person.
I always included my resume, so that they knew I was legit... I really don't see why it would be a problem as long as you're not jumping all over the place saying 'GIV ME JOB PLZ THX TTYL'.
Well, assuming your cold email is along the lines of "would just like to grab coffee and talk with you , etc", attaching an unsolicited resume conveys exactly the same message you typed above in tween text.
This late in the game, assuming you are looking at boutiques for off cycle FT I don't think you have the luxury of being indirect... Go for volume and attach the res... I think you need to because you aren't going to lose anything. It's not like the MD isn't aware of your ultimate goal. Just don't mention the job initially in the email. Attaching the res will save them time (assuming they are interested in talking to you) as they don't need to have an extra conversation to ask for it. I got interview opps from MDs through this strategy as they appreciated the honesty.
Figured I could provide some valuable insight here since I recently cold e-mailed my way into an offer with a MM. I focused on the junior bankers (analysts and associates) and to rufiolove’s point had time to develop a relationship. This however, did not play a vital role as to why I chose junior bankers over the MDs. Naturally, junior bankers being closer to your age group, have more in common with you.
I was from a non-target and just needed an in, a way past the HR gatekeepers, and the junior bankers were my key. After a few meetings/phone calls (assuming everything went well) they were all very happy to pass my resume to the right person.
Regarding the resume attachment - I did not feel it was necessary and this may have been because I had the time and luxury to develop some sort of relationship. I would request a very non demanding meeting where I was eager to sponge up any information that could be given to me. I also believe that a resume attachment makes the cold e-mail a lot less personal (yes it’s a cold email, but your template should at least try to portray a human being that is asking for some help).
In the end, it's a numbers game - I have sent out roughly 100 cold e-mails and only received 1 offer through this method. The more you can send out, the better your chances.
PM me if you would like my template for the cold e-mail or any other advice, I would love to help.
Good Luck
Hey CapToed- I'm finding myself in a similar situation, coming from a non target school and needing a way past the HR gatekeepers. Unfortunately I do not have enough banana points to PM you. But I wanted to reach out and see if I could take a look at the template you used when trying to get some attention from potential banks. Thanks!
I also do not have enough banana points to PM you but I would interested in receiving the template you used if that's okay.
Many thanks
Here's my take:
DO NOT include your resume on the first email. It's not classy and you seem like a desperate reject.
DO include some information about yourself in the text and be somewhat direct.... for example: "Hi my name is John Smith and I am a rising senior at Harvard. I am very interested in starting my career in investment banking and I have some experience as I spent last summer working at Lazard as a Summer Analyst, but I have yet to secure a full time offer. I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes to talk....."
Boutiques: Better to Cold Call or Cold Email? (Originally Posted: 01/09/2012)
When contacting boutiques (NOT Elite Boutiques), is it best to just go ahead and call into the firm or email the MD, VP, or analyst?
A good amount of these sites have the extension of the MDs, would it be best to call them directly, VPs, or analysts?
Also, when you make this call and say a secretary answers and questions why you are calling the MD, what is a good way to answer this so you don't go directly to his voice mail or get hung up on?
Thanks for your help all!
What if you're out of school in another job and another city...you should just ask for the job, right?!?
I would hesitate to cold call anyone but an analyst, unless perhaps someone higher up is an alumnus. Email would be safer bet.
I would e-mail then set a time to talk, don't directly call as they might be busy / in a bad mood
I always sent a cold email titled: [Name of College]: [Your Name]
Send a cold e-mail first...then if you don;t get a response in 5 days...give them a call and mention you are following up on an e-mail (gives the gatekeeper an excuse to pass you over to MD)
Normally/what I use to do was develop relationships, but now that full-time recruiting has come to a slow / is almost finished, I'm not sure "developing" relationships is going to help me find a FT offer this late in the game. Obviously I'm keeping up with my contacts and hoping that something pops up. However, I just wanted to know how you guys approached small boutique firms (5/10 person shops) considering its this late in recruiting season and you don't really have time to develop a relationship I feel like.
bump for answer
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