What's generally the strategy here? If you don't know anyone, what do you say at the front? How do you even get past security? Here in NYC you usually need to specify who you're there to see before even being let in past the lobby. Do you simply wing it or actually say that you're there to drop off a resume? And how do you know it gets over to the right people?

I'm asking because I'm planning to do the same in the very short-term.

Edit: Good question, OP lol.

in it 2 win it
 

I'd go for it... really what's the worst that could happen? How would you look at the situation if you were the one on the other end of it. I would be impressed that someone had the courage to actually show up to drop it off. The only way it would be a negative is if you looked unprofessional and didn't know how to act. If that was the case though, you wouldn't make it past the interview anyways.

 

Some kid randomly came to the boutique I interned at and he had not called or emailed. He was dressed in a suit and resume in hand, so he probably had an interview in the area. I had him sit in our meeting room while I got the analyst in charge of HR. The analyst was very pissed and considered the action rude. He was originally going to tell me to just get the kid's resume and tell the kid he was in a meeting (which he wasn't). The analyst messaged an associate quickly, and the associate thought it was ballsy and badass the kid came in like that. So the analyst decided to go talk to the kid a little, and the kid kind of sounded like he was hoping for an on the spot interview. Afterwards, the analyst said he wouldn't even consider that kid because of the rudeness.

The analyst said he would have given the kid more of a chance if he had precalled and just asked to meet for coffee or something. Apparently the kid's resume was pretty decent too.

In the end, it really just depends on who is in charge of HR (for boutiques). The associate liked it, but the analyst was in charge and ultimately put the kid in the "no" stack.

 

Find out who recruiting VPs or Associates might be if possible (may have been listed on your school's posting). Write a cover letter, & leave a copy of the letter and your resume in an envelope addressed to the person responsible for recruiting.

 

I'm sure you're more than qualified for the job, but a reason why some firms want juniors only is because if they like that person they want the option of picking him/her up for a fulltime position the following year.

They might not appreciate a soph showing up no matter how great you are because you're not able to work for them fulltime the next year.

 

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies guys. I'll shoot down there tomorrow around lunch and ask to speak with someone particular. There was no name listed on the site to contact for an internship, so I'll ask to speak with the MD that the lady at the desk referred me to over the phone.

SanityCheck, thanks for the info. I am fully aware of this, but my buddy who got the internship is in a weird situation. He is taking sophomore classes (and is my age) but technically is considered a junior due to the amount of credits he has. I think he is like 1 or 2 credits over so he is "considered" a junior on the OCR site because he transferred. Kinda BS.

Thanks for the replies.

 

I had the same issue being locked out of applying due to sophomore status. I picked up the phone, called the bank and figured out who the recruiter was for the position. They got me to the right person and I was able to land that interview, interned there, and now am full time.

They only care about getting the right person not how that person gets there.

 

So I just went down there. Got there at about noon, no one at the front desk. Waited in the lobby for about 20 minutes reading their WSJ. I could hear a few people in the hallway off the lobby and I heard one employee talking to another about getting lunch. The employee said the MD's name I was targeting so I was in luck. I could hear him whistling down the hallway for what seemed like forever and finally he came to the lobby and saw me waiting. I said I was here to see Mr. xx and that I had a delivery for him (something along those lines). I handed him my CV/Cover letter in a resume envelope addressed to the MD in charge of recruiting. He asked for my name, I gave it, said have a good day and walked out.

Should I email the MD I sent the resume to later today to see if he got it? Maybe give him a call if I can dig up his phone number?

 
Waymon3x6:
So I just went down there. Got there at about noon, no one at the front desk. Waited in the lobby for about 20 minutes reading their WSJ. I could hear a few people in the hallway off the lobby and I heard one employee talking to another about getting lunch. The employee said the MD's name I was targeting so I was in luck. I could hear him whistling down the hallway for what seemed like forever and finally he came to the lobby and saw me waiting. I said I was here to see Mr. xx and that I had a delivery for him (something along those lines). I handed him my CV/Cover letter in a resume envelope addressed to the MD in charge of recruiting. He asked for my name, I gave it, said have a good day and walked out.

Should I email the MD I sent the resume to later today to see if he got it? Maybe give him a call if I can dig up his phone number?

No quick convo of any sort? Sounds awkward as shit.

 
LSE-Warrior:
Question: would it be considered 'rude' or 'having the drive' to walk in to the office where I had my infective and ask to speak the the HR women I met?

This would likely be sufficient grounds for a restraining order.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Do it. Dealbreaker has been slow of late

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

If LinkedIn does that just use the company email, it's not hard to find 95% of them. I don't think showing up at the office is completely overboard, some people will be impressed you actually have balls, some will think you're retarded (or in this case, creepy). But if you have OCR at the place don't drop it off in person.

Don't even bother replying....as fun as it sounds to troll her (like everyone was telling that guy who sent the shit cold e-mail before to do), this is on a whole different level. She might actually forward your name around to other people and tell them not to hire you. Just drop it and move on to the next one

 

How did you get up to the floor to meet the secretary? Most places (in NYC at least) require you to check in with the security desk, have an appointment, and meet with the person you're meeting in the lobby. Was it just a small place?

 

I didn't have any appointment with the bank. It is a boutique well respected in MM industry, but the security policy of the building is not that difficult to surmount. I talked politely to the security guard at the entrance and told him that i had a confidential document i had to give in person (he didnt bother to call the office, he just let me in)

Don't give up what you want most for what you want now
 

How is she being a bitch? OP is being creepy. BTW, is the Analyst hot?

Baby you're the perfect shape, baby you're the perfect weight. Treat me like my birthday, I want it this way and I want it that way. It makes a man feel good baby.
 

Sorry to hear that. I don't think that that's creepy. It's weird how people will tell you to be persistent and go the extra mile, yet others will tell you that you're being creepy. Forget that HR rep. She doesn't have what it takes to break into finance herself. Keep doing what you're doing, and don't doubt yourself. If she didn't want to hire you, she should have at least the courtesy to reply with a "no" on LinkedIn. When people don't answer my electronic messages, I take it that they missed my message. If they end up telling you to fuck off or you're creepy, so be it and move on. Someone will eventually appreciate your perseverance, and most likely will be someone who went through what you did. Good luck.

 
BigTalkinWalker:
call her and breathe loudly when she says hello.

Do this everyday until she accuses you on linkedin of calling her and harassing her.

report her to the boss, along with the hostile accusation and get her fired.

Don't forget saying the line "I want to play a game".

 

Definitely not creepy, but probably not effective. Sounds like she wanted to be a bitch for whatever reason, so don't feel too discouraged. Then again, I never really endorse the in-person cold resume ambush, but nothing wrong with cold-mailing people on LNKD or wherever else, even if you do it multiple times... as in 2-3, not 9 of course.

I hate victims who respect their executioners
 

This is typical female bitchiness.

Male bitchiness typically results in him making fun or you. Female bitchiness typically results in her accusing you of harassment.

The wording of her response makes it obvious what she wants to imply. E.g. that is "NOT OK" - as if you were being inappropriately forward with her, or "being creepy" or "that's very creepy" - as if you are a potential sex criminal.

Bullshit.

If it was a male bitch- he'd probably respond making fun of you, how desperate you supposedly are, etc.

But either way- it has nothing to do with you. People are selfish and don't like to be annoyed to help strangers.

 

For the record, I've met several great female individuals in the financial world. Some of these women have been fantastic networkers and great business minds. However for those several that were, hundreds were either rude, short winded, or just plain ignorant.

The sad part is her response makes absolutely no sense and just goes to show that she simply had some sticks shoved up her cunt, for lack of a better term.

You didn't send her 9 messages. Yes, it is ok to show up to someone's work when the unemployment rate is sky high and those who lack experience/credentials have only one choice to land jobs--be different. And it's not even like you barged into her office.. you left your resume for her secretary. Totally fine and it's done every day in NYC. And apply to places that are looking for recent college undergrads? Like?? And then she recommends that just because a cunt like her won't look over your resume, she assumes that you won't find a job unless you spend more time and money in school or on a designation. Yeah, grade A bitch alright.

What people like her will never understand is that they all get theirs in the end. People who ride high on their schooling, achievements, grades, etc and don't put in the time to be personable with others--ultimately fail. And she will. Whether if it's at work, in marriage, or both.

My advice would be to use this as encouragement to continue thinking outside the box and proving her wrong. Because believe me.. if you keep pushing outside the box and showing others that you will be unorthodox just to come work for them, then you best believe they will hire you. Especially if you're in NYC.

 
rothyman:
For the record, I've met several great female individuals in the financial world. Some of these women have been fantastic networkers and great business minds. However for those several that were, hundreds were either rude, short winded, or just plain ignorant.

The sad part is her response makes absolutely no sense and just goes to show that she simply had some sticks shoved up her cunt, for lack of a better term.

You didn't send her 9 messages. Yes, it is ok to show up to someone's work when the unemployment rate is sky high and those who lack experience/credentials have only one choice to land jobs--be different. And it's not even like you barged into her office.. you left your resume for her secretary. Totally fine and it's done every day in NYC. And apply to places that are looking for recent college undergrads? Like?? And then she recommends that just because a cunt like her won't look over your resume, she assumes that you won't find a job unless you spend more time and money in school or on a designation. Yeah, grade A bitch alright.

What people like her will never understand is that they all get theirs in the end. People who ride high on their schooling, achievements, grades, etc and don't put in the time to be personable with others--ultimately fail. And she will. Whether if it's at work, in marriage, or both.

My advice would be to use this as encouragement to continue thinking outside the box and proving her wrong. Because believe me.. if you keep pushing outside the box and showing others that you will be unorthodox just to come work for them, then you best believe they will hire you. Especially if you're in NYC.

tl;dr: you are not as sexy as rothy

 

Just want to give a quick update on my situation. So i am graduating in december. 2 weeks after this event i decided to resume my approach of going directly to the offices. I went to a boutique that is active in the MM. no one was at the reception so i waited and suddenly the CEO comes in i immediately recognize him. He was impressed that i knew his name and by my 1 minute elevator pitch. He offered me an unpaid internship for the winter semester! This is not the ideal option i was looking for but it will take it as my last option if i can find anything else

Don't give up what you want most for what you want now
 
ArabBanker:
Just want to give a quick update on my situation. So i am graduating in december. 2 weeks after this event i decided to resume my approach of going directly to the offices. I went to a boutique that is active in the MM. no one was at the reception so i waited and suddenly the CEO comes in i immediately recognize him. He was impressed that i knew his name and by my 1 minute elevator pitch. He offered me an unpaid internship for the winter semester! This is not the ideal option i was looking for but it will take it as my last option if i can find anything else

that's epic dude, congrats. hope it turns into a full-time offer.

 
ArabBanker:
Just want to give a quick update on my situation. So i am graduating in december. 2 weeks after this event i decided to resume my approach of going directly to the offices. I went to a boutique that is active in the MM. no one was at the reception so i waited and suddenly the CEO comes in i immediately recognize him. He was impressed that i knew his name and by my 1 minute elevator pitch. He offered me an unpaid internship for the winter semester! This is not the ideal option i was looking for but it will take it as my last option if i can find anything else

I know I'm reviving an old thread, but this post merits it:

Boom. This is what I'm talking about. Folks need to get aggressive, like this guy.

"There are three ways to make a living in this business: be first, be smarter, or cheat."
 
ArabBanker:
My name is YYYY and I am currently in my last year as an undergraduate student at the x University.

I want to go to x University!

If it weren't more than a year later now, my recommended reply for you would have been:

Dear, B Analyst,

I apologize, but for the record, this is only my second message to you. I only attempted to contact you once. If you received more than one message from me, it must be an error on the part of LinkedIn, and again, I apologize.

Since I had not heard back from you, I decided to take another approach to your company. This is not about you, it is about me trying to get a fair shake with the recruiting department of your company.

Sincerely, YYYY

-No comment-
 

You sent 9 messages and got no response. Then you decide to show up at their workplace? If they aren't responding to 9 messages, then there probably is a legitimate reason.

Imagine yourself, working some job, and some eager beaver fucker sends you 9 messages on LinkedIn, you don't have time for the first two, and the next few just get annoying, and then they decide to show up to your workplace.

 
A Posse Ad Esse:
Ever seen the Pursuit of Happyness?
This movie was my inspiration.

It's a bit extreme, but two years ago I literally walked up and down Wall Street BSing with random people, bought drinks in bars, and sent resumes to every HR dept that I could find. The next course of action was to put resumes in the departmental mailboxes by chumming it up with the mail room guys outside the door smoking cigs but by then I had an internship. Several years ago, someone stood in front of the exchange with a poster and it worked, so if you are smart about it, the right person may just like your determination. Although stalking people is probably going too far, I know a guy that buddied up to a VP and beforehand knew what the guy drank, where he played golf, where he lived, etc...

By comparison to the above, walking in an applying, or just requesting a few minutes for an informational interview doesn't seem so crazy, now does it. How far you are willing to take things is up to you........

Get busy living
 

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