Isn't it better to ask for internship directly?
Instead of going through the BS of getting on the phone to learn more about what you do and then asking for internship at the end, isn't it better to just straight up ask if their firm is offering internships in the first email?? Wouldn't the MD appreciate you not wasting their time?
They are hoping you are generally interested in what they do, not just the money they make and opportunities they can give you. People like to talk about themselves.
Right, but they've been in the business long enough, aren't they aware that kids only ask for informational interviews just to get a job
Treating people as a means to an end is a surefire way to having a short career
I've had informal meetings with people in the business just because I was interested in learning about what they do and what makes them successful. If it leads to an opportunity - great, take it.
Yes, an informational interview is just an indirect way of asking for a job. But being good at informational interviews shows that you're good at BSing. Which, let's be honest, is one of the most essential skills to working in banking.
This person has no way of knowing whether they want to recommend you or help you get a job. They have to get to know you some first. They do that by having a conversation with you. You'll also benefit from these conversations because you'll end up learning a lot about the industry and the specific banks. If you can't behave like a normal likeable person in these situations, you won't get hired or last in the industry.
Right, but I don't expect someone to hire me after writing an email.
The logic behind my method is that if a banker was even remotely interested in hiring an intern, they would respond to my email after looking at my resume and then have someone interview me. So either way, they get to speak with me.
You're logic is incorrect and shows a lack of both understanding about the industry and of business etiquette.
I thought like that when I first graduated from college too. I would still go about the networking the old school way: never ask for a job during info interview and let them come to you.
Yes, they get it: you are reaching out to get some leads to interviews and jobs. Yes, you get it: you want to "learn about their careers and firms", but you really want a job. However, it's about reciprocity. Networking 101 is about understanding "what's there for them?" They want to see whether you even have the basic etiquette to earn the informational interviews and present yourself properly. If you can't do that, why should they hire you in hopes of getting you in front of clients to get deals down the road.
It's a formality, but life has rules. Getting the internship through networking means you have the bare minimum skill to build business relationships, a skill required 100% of time for a senior banker (ask the MDs how much DCFs they do every day).
Right, but it's assumed that after I write an email asking for an internship, they would interview me if they were interested. I don't expect them to hire me right off the bat.
They wouldn't even bother interview you if you just asked for an internship. You dont go on a first date and immediately ask to fuck
SBd every reply after mine.
A bunch of people have given you advice and told you why you're wrong, but you still don't except it.
Don't post questions if you're only looking for confirmation, and refuse to accept that you're wrong.
When you don't understand something, you continue to ask questions. You don't just sit there and nod your head and accept everything that is thrown at you.
Don't post stupid comments.
Let's reword that original post and see how it sounds...
*Isn't it better to ask to take your date back to your place directly?
Instead of going through the trouble of going on a date to learn more about what your date does and then asking to her if she wants to go back to your place at the end, isn't it better to just straight up ask if she is interested in going back to your place in the first conversation you have with her?? Wouldn't the woman appreciate you not wasting her time?*
Yeah I think that's a swing and a miss pal.
Like many others mentioned, it's an indirect way of asking for a internship/job but it's etiquette. When you ask for an informational interview it's a chance for them to get to know you better, so they can determine if they want to refer/recommend you for an interview, and it's an opportunity for you to learn more about their industry/product/whatever. I once wanted to do Equity S&T, IB, PWM, PB, etc., but after numerous information sessions (mostly through family contacts so it was on much friendlier terms), they helped me steer towards something that I had a true passion for. Now, I'm intent on Fixed Income S&T, though my mentor asked me during the first informational interview with him, "if you've never had an internship or any contact with FI Trading, how do you know this is what you want to do?" It's a way for them to weed out those who are truly interested/intent and an opportunity for you to find out if this is truly what you want to do for a living
Go ahead and directly ask them for an internship or FT. Most likely, if you don't know them, they'll either ignore your email/call or they'll chew you out. I've asked several people and they either directed me towards HR, immediately hung up when they picked up, or just replied "I'll look into it" (family contact).
In a rational world, life would be so much easier. You have the skill set to work at a firm and you know they need an intern, instead of going through all formalities you just get to the point: get me an interview. You have everything a girl would ever want, you find a girl who has everything you'd ever need, instead of going through the energy and money draining courting period called dating, you just ask her to marry you.
As time goes on you'll learn that life just doesn't work that way. I'm in the same boat as you, I want things to work efficiently, but in order to win you need to play by the rules, and as you are still in college looking for an internship, you are not the one setting the rules. When you reach MD status and have college kids coming to you for a job, you can handle it anyway you like, but until then, follow the rules of the game.
Instead of going through the BS of getting on the phone or meeting in person with Travis Kalanick at Uber to demonstrate knowledge of their company, the market for their shares, and feign interest in their well being, isn't it better to just straight up ask if they want to hire us for an IPO?? Won't Travis appreciate us not wasting his time?
How would you feel if a bunch of random people came up to you unsolicited and unprompted and just asked for jobs... jobs which are fairly competitive and desirable. What do you think are the odds you'd say yes to every single one.
If the kid offered to work unpaid, and I needed the help, I would ask him to give me a call sometime to discuss his qualifications.
Finance is a small industry where everyone knows someone who knows everyone. Your reputation is carried from beginning to end. And people that are genuine have a lot more potential to go far.
Not sure how asking if there are any opportunities at a MD's firm is not genuine
Follow up question on this. At this late stage, with only options being regional botiques, there isn't necessarily the time to build relationships. While its definitely stupid to straight up ask for an internship on a cold-email, would it be advisable to ask something along the lines of "How can I put myself in a position to interview at your firm" towards the end of the first informational interview or phone interview you have with the person?
It's not "definitely stupid".
I can't speak for the other method, but this method has generated me a decent amount of positive responses. Perhaps I would have even better responses if I asked for an informational interview, but asking directly for an internship is not some insane method that most of these posters are trying to portray it as.
Internship Search - Do I straight up ask for one? (Originally Posted: 05/28/2017)
Let me start by saying that I'm very happy to have found WSO, there's some really funny stuff on here and also some really good advice. I've devoted a stupid amount of hours the last couple days reading all of the posts on here and I don't regret a single moment.
I'm a non-target Junior still looking for a summer internship. As of right now i'm planning on cold emailing on Tuesday and not including a resume nor am I asking for an internship upfront. I'm planning on mentioning it during the phone calls. I want to build relationships for the upcoming recruitment season but my main priority is to land an internship this summer. Should I include my resume and mention that I'm looking for an internship in my emails or stick with my original strategy?
I would greatly appreciate a response, thanks!
Yes, you have to. It's too late.
That was my biggest concern that it's too late and I need to cut to the chase, thanks for the help!
Contacting Alums/Asking for Internships (Originally Posted: 12/31/2008)
Hey guys, quick question.
My school, a target (not Ivy), has many alums in finance (IB, hedge funds, private equity, etc.) and I have been networking with them extensively as of late with hopes of maybe getting a summer internship.
My question is, is it impolite to directly ask for an opportunity to intern at the firm? My initial thought process was that it is, but I have heard from others that unless you are up front, the alumnus is not going to know/care about you. What are your thoughts?
Also, when contacting alums, would you guys recommend doing it little by little (i.e. contact one and see where that goes and perhaps move on) or contact multiple alums at the same time. The reason I ask is, hypothetically, if two were to offer me opportunities (especially as favors) it would seem rather rude to not accept an offer or opportunity.
Thanks and Happy New Year
You contact as many as you can and hope that one of them like you enough to recommend you for an interview. No one is going to flat out offer you an internship unless it is their hedge fund.
you need to contact as many as possible. i wouldn't flat out ask, rather act like you're interested in what they do and occasionally they will offer to take a look at your resume. ask to meet up with them if you can. i think it is impolite to straight up ask for an internship/interview because you're using them as a means to an end.
Can you just straight up ask for a PWM internship? (Originally Posted: 06/05/2013)
In securing a PWM internship, could I just straight u cold email a FA for an internship, as some suggest on this forum? It would be for this upcoming summer. Please help!
lol wat.
brb just demand internship?
gotta be a bit more tactful than that brah.
Hey,
I know a lot of people on this forum say not to email with a request for internship, but I did that and had a pretty alright success rate. Phrased it more subtly though with questions like "is there an opening I may apply for". Imho, they know you're looking for internships, and I'd rather not bs with them. If they reply saying they do not have any vacancies left, I ask for a chat with them and it has worked out fine so far.
Then again, I'm really inexperienced and I might have just gone lucky. Am going to switch to asking for chats first and then interviews and see the difference.
Cheers, J
Edit: That wasn't for PWM, so there maybe substantial differences. (I have no idea.)
Just ask them if they need a hand/any help over the summer...
i think its too late now, you should network with them and leverage your way next summer
or try boutique firms
Yes, you can. It may be a little late at this point, but it's always worth a try. Be sure to word your email in a way that makes it sound as if you can be of assistance to them. So, something along the lines of "I would be pleased to assist your office in any way possible over the summer."
I recently did this myself. I was not awarded any summer internships in PWM at big firms, but I didn't give up. I am from a non-target school so that definitely didn't help either, and have zero prior experience on my resume. I made a list of boutiques and started cold e-mailing them asking them for a 5-10 minute phone call. It's easy to just delete an e-mail but it's (slightly) harder to say no on the phone.
I sent out a lot of cold e-mails and got a response from a boutique who basically said they appreciated my balls for cold e-mailing them and requesting their time, and I start this Thursday. So yea, I think you should do it. You will be told "no" 99 times before you receive a "yes" in most cases unless you networked your ass off (or you're a lazy product of nepotism).
Good luck.
Asking for the internship? (Originally Posted: 05/10/2011)
I'm trying to move into Consulting, with an emphasis within Public Sector initially.
I work at a small boutique consulting firm now and I am due to resign in the hopes of securing a few more internships before September.
I was wondering what is the best method to approach firms for internships when they have not advertised anything. Unpaid work is cool with me providing its relevant. I had a few concerns:
1) Would you think its wise to mention in an introductory email asking for the position about beginning my masters in September?
2) Whats the best way to approach them? I largely have been saying something like: 'I am a law graduate at xxxx due to begin a Masters in September with hopes of continuing within consultancy. I am enquiring as to whether I would be able to gain some experience via an unpaid internship or formal arrangement at xxxx over the course of this summer. As I mentioned I am more than happy to work in an unpaid capacity. I would really value any potential positions you may have available' I haven't heard back from a few while another mentioned my experience isn't what they are looking for. So got me worried my approach may suck.
Any help guys?
unpaid makes you sound desperate...I think if they want an intern they'll ask if you would work unpaid
Really? I thought if I gave them the option, it shows my commitment. I suppose its objective.
.
Anyone thoughts?
I mean its just my opinion when I've done this, they have responded well to my emails without saying I would work unpaid...they just ask me if I would do without pay after they respond
Boutique Internships; Should I contact directly? (Originally Posted: 07/14/2013)
Hello all, Just applied to some boutique IB internships for the fall through my uni's OCR system. Is there anything else I can do to improve my odds at the moment? Should I send some of the MDs an email stating my interest, etc? Thank you for the advice
Any university connections with the MDs or anyone at the firm? I'd go with them first
Yes there are, fortunately. One MD at one of the firms is an alumnus. What would be the proper way to express interest/improve my chances?
Call or email the MD. Introduce yourself (name, major etc.) and establish a connection, since he is an alumni it should not be a problem. Say how you can be useful i.e related work experience and express your interest. Then you may ask for ten minutes of his time for an informational interview. And always stay confident :)
Asking for Boutique Internship (Originally Posted: 05/18/2015)
Hey guys, so I was cold emailing a few boutique banks near where I live, and one emailed me back a week ago telling me that they had filled all their internship positions for the summer already. I am pretty desperate for something at this point, and would like to ask again regarding possibly getting an internship there. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!
Why would you ask a second time if they've already denied you once? Am I missing something...
It's pretty late in the process at this point, but if you're serious start blasting all boutiques in your area asap
At this point, should I be directy asking about internships? (Originally Posted: 04/22/2018)
I have a 3.8 at a non-target, rising senior. I have been focused on networking the last several months, mostly doing info calls. I will continue to network, however these have not led to any leads as far as internships go. Should I start directly asking if the firm has internships? I have a offer working as a LIHTC analyst at a local bank as a worst case if I cant find anything, however I would really like to work in IB if possible.
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