Switching from Mr. ___ to first name after phone conversation

Is it okay to switch to someone's first name after a phone conversation with them? This is considering you first addressed them as "Mr. ___" and they did not necessarily ask you to address them one way or another?

[edit] I should add it's a VP

 
professionalmonkey:
I think it's safest to address them as Mr. ____, but if you've had email correspondence with them and they sign as Jeff, you should call them Jeff.
This is definitely true.

Also note the "Southern Rule" (so I've heard it called), which is in conversation, if you say Mr. XYZ, and they say "Please call me FirstName," you use Mr. one more time, and if they re-iterate that you can call them by their first name, you're good to go.

And when meeting someone, if they introduce themselves as FirstName, you should be fine using that. If they give first and last, use Mr. XYZ, then follow the same rule as above.

 

Even when I was at the lowest level in the recruiting process - attending my university's information sessions - I always just used their first name when sending thank you emails and follow-ups. Fuck it, be a little casual, just don't overdo it and call them "broski".

 

When I was trying to break into the industry, I would try to use their first name as often as possible without being rude. You are trying to make them like you and become friends with them, at some point you have to break that formality barrier. A VP is definitely ok to address by his first name after you've talked to him on the phone.

 

If I e-mail them "Mr. _____" and they respond "John, " I will then respond "Jeff,."

I've never had an issue with this. Mr. _____ seems way too formal and I don't think they prefer Mr. unless they are a douchebag.

Also, I've found it helpful to call after-hours and listen to their voicemail. I talked to a "James" that referred to himself as "Jim" on his voicemail, and when we followed up via phone I called him Jim and he didn't mind. He is actually one of my director contacts now that will hopefully assist in breaking in after my MSF.

My name is Nicky, but you can call me Dre.
 

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