Is it still better to play it safe, and address a MD using Mr. / Ms. for cold emailing, or do you think it's better to address them by first name?
As an anecdote, I once got on the phone with a MD several years ago, and accidentally addressed him by his first name. Later, when I met up with him in person, he told me not to do that so I am wary.
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first name
and is "Hello John" okay?
Yes. "Hi" is fine too. I know that you're trying to be respectful, which is great, but we're not in 1950 anymore. The MD who told you to not address him by his first name is an asshole and not representative of IB at all.
When adults talk to adults, they generally use first names.
I only call my grade school friends parents and my old teachers Mr. / Ms. ______ now adays
first name always, unless you want to be viewed as a child and not a potential colleague.
also, just a piece of advice I was told and found useful...
If networking and you get a business card, remember the way they introduced themselves. I work with an MD who goes by "Tim" and introduces himself as such, but his business cards say "Timothy". He once told me that if he gets an email from someone he gave his card to, and they address him as "Timothy", he knows they clearly did not care enough to listen to him and what his name is and that they do not pay attention. He uses it as a preliminary gauge of suitability for his team. (Read: he will not hire them 9 out of 10 times.)
Might be a severe case, but I found it to be extremely wise.
covered ad nauseam
You're not 10 years old... hopefully
What if the guy is in his 60-70s lol
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