How To Properly Follow Up Application

Hey guys,

About me: from non-target currently unpaid intern at sell side shop. Essentially have been actively cold emailing/ networking for a little over a year with a reply ratio of 23% (over 300 emails) and maybe got about 10% on the phone. In short, saw a position from a buy-side shop that I think I fit in really well with, both position and company wise, and applied through the career site 2 days ago.

I don't know anyone at the Company personally and my cold emails to analysts have gone ignored. I am sure people have posted about following up after applying on here before, although I didn't see any direct posts about it, but basically how do I approach following up? I assume the logical route here is to call HR next week and make sure my resume was received but not sure if there is anything more effective.

And just expanding on that, do you recommend following up a ignored/unanswered cold email? Any tips on that in term of timing, format etc. Obviously, on a think line between being annoying and being persistent.

Thanks for the help

 

I would give them a ring just so you have a name and contact. If you can find out the hiring manager or area that you would be working that would give you a better chance. I would try linkedin, alumni or friends to see if you can get a ballpark idea of who put out the job rec and try and contact that person. If all else fails, going to the HR person can't hurt. Maybe they can tell you who is hiring, etc.

 

seeing as how many SA's have already started, you're most likely not going to hear anything back about this summer. Not trying to be funny, but you're gonna need to send in applications/make connections more than two weeks before the summer begins.

 
JPMGSMSCS:

seeing as how many SA's have already started, you're most likely not going to hear anything back about this summer. Not trying to be funny, but you're gonna need to send in applications/make connections more than two weeks before the summer begins.

It's for a PWM/AM position and I've heard that they are looking to hire at almost any time and don't follow the strict IBD BB internship recruiting schedule. Both of the positions were posted at the end of May and the deadlines are at the end of June. The descriptions also stated they were for a summer position this year.

Thanks for trying to help either way

 

I applied online for an internship once, then didn't hear back anything for 2 weeks. When I called to check-in, they said that they hadn't received it. They then told me to email my resume + cover letter, and offered me an interview, which led to an offer that I accepted.

Give them at least a week, and then call. Even if they did see your application, but ignored it, calling them will show your drive/initiative and can only help your chances.

 

Do you have any connections at the company, or did you just apply on a whim via the online system. If you have any connections or even potential alumni connections, I would reach out to them to seek advice. If you do, you'll 1) potentially get some helpful advice about the firm and 2) make a new contact at the firm who can potentially check things out for you.

If, however, you do not have any contacts at the company, which sounds like that is the case, given that you have already made the phone call, you cannot send an email - you need to just make another call - probably by Wednesday - to show your continued interest and enthusiasm for an opportunity. If you get blown off, then it's not meant to be at this stage and continuing to call them beyond that will only be annoying. You can definitely make one more call, but if you get completely blown off, then forget it, and seek another opportunity. Good luck.

 

hey thanks for the response. i sent a resume and CL directly to an HR rep for a position advertised on my college's career webpage.

i have no contacts at the firm as of now, but I could reach out to alumni. My question in that case then would be about what I should say: do i make it clear that i've applied for this position - and if so - does it seem strange to guise the discussion as me seeking to learn about the firm?

thanks so much

 

A lot of companies don't like phone calls. If you're applying at smaller firms you should try contacting MDs and set up general informational interviews and then applying after that. Many MDs will really commend you for your initiative and persistence. Cold calling usually works better than cold emailing and you should contact MDs and principals because 1.) they make the hiring decisions, and 2.) they will be more willing to talk to you than analysts and junior level bankers.

 

How about calling to inquire on your status and express your interest in working for the company. If the conversation flows and questions are asked about other places you might be able to drop that you have offers, but calling up and saying "I have offers, decide or lose out on me" probably wont go over well.

 

If you have exploding offers, I don't see why you can't inform them. At the end of some of my first round interviews, my interviewer would explicitly say, "If you get any offers before you hear back from us, please let us know and we'll expedite your interview process."

 

It is unlikely you'll be able to go through a full set of interviews with the bank you're interested in prior to your offers expiring. You can lob in a call and explain your situation, but it is unlikely that it will go anywhere in a timely fashion. I hope you like the offers you already have!

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Did you follow-up at all after submitting your application?

Maybe you should follow-up.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

It sometimes takes a LOT longer than three weeks to hear back from the online portal. I submitted my app in early November and didn't get invited to interview until first week in January. If they already mentioned they are going to be finalizing things in the next few weeks, then wait a few weeks.

edit: not to mention that your application is way late for most BB recruiting.

 

When I applied through these BB application portals, I never got a specific contact to whom I can contact back. How do you in the first place know whom to contact to?

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

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