Over winter break, I had an informal meeting with an associate at a boutique firm. He informed me that his firm wasn't hiring any summer interns, but to keep in contact, and if something came up, he'd let me know. I've sent him an email every month or so since then, and nothing came up. until last Monday when I received a phone call from his MD saying that a position has opened up and the associate I met with put in a really good word. The MD wanted to know if I was still interested (of course I said I was, as I don't really have anything else lined up aside from Morgan Stanley PWM in NYC which I did last summer as a freshman). He said the firm wasn't sure whether or not they want someone with prior experience and that they'd get back to me. That Thursday, I sent him an email saying I was still very excited at the opportunity of working with his team...bla bla bla...and although I may not have prior banking experience, I'm a fast learner and the skills I acquired at MS will help me...bla bla bla. He answered saying thanks for reaching out, and that they're still discussing internally, so he'll get back to me shortly.
So now it's Tuesday, just over a week since he first got in contact with me. Should I just wait it out? Send another email? I'm not too sure what to do. Do you think this is a bad sign? I'm thinking they may be trying to find someone with prior banking experience, but may not be successful as anyone with prior experience is probably already working. Please share your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
this is so familiar...i've been kept hanging a million times. wait a week (you could wait 4-5 days, but i'd say a week if you want to play it safe), then send an email. that's my rule of thumb. if they don't respond to that within another day or two, call. good luck...
Agree with thrilainvanila. Wasit a few more days and then chase.
"Living the dream 24/7 on http://theallnighter.blogspot.com"
Yikes. I regret to say I've done that a couple of times to candidates (in fact I just had an oh-shit moment and checked my "Recruiting" box in Outlook to make sure you weren't talking about me). Wait until Thursday, then call the guy and politely explain that you're following up on his email and wanted to see if there were any new developments. If a job doesn't come of it, then at least ask the guy if he'd like to meet you for lunch one day so you can debrief and get some advice on where you should head from there. Try and preserve the relationship--don't just cut the cord if it doesn't work out. If they do like you and they truly don't have a hiring need, then he may have somebody else with whom he can put you in touch. Good luck man.
Thanks. And for those of you who are in the throes of recruiting, I want to emphasize the importance of CALLING, especially if an employer has not circled back with you when they said they would. Do not be afraid to pick up the phone. Why? Because almost everybody chickens out and hides behind email...most bankers and recruiters usually get well over 100 emails/day, and that's on the low side. Trust me, if it's recruiting season, they're getting many more than that, and much of it is from your competition. A call a) shows that you're not afraid to call, and b) is more immediate, and sticks out more (if you don't reach me, I get far fewer voice mails than emails). All this means you're more likely to get a response, and if nothing else you will be put top of mind. That's an advantage. There are many situations when email is appropriate, particularly if you're going in blind to network with somebody (first contact, no introduction), but if a banker or recruiter tells you they're going to get back to you by a certain time, and they don't, by all means give them a few days grace period and then call them. You have every right to do so. Just be polite, cheerful, and matter of fact, and nobody can fault the call. If they still don't get back to you, wait a few more days, then call or email again--persistence is also important. But remember, there is a line between persistence and annoyance. Whatever you do, just don't spam the poor sod with voice mails and/or emails over and over again. After two, or maybe three or four contact attempts at most, give it a rest. They've gotten the message, and for whatever reason either can't or won't get back to you. That's going to happen. Hell, it happens to bankers all the time when we're trying to contact buyers for the companies we sell (anybody working on broad auction processes can back me up on this one). Anyway, the bottom line is when appropriate, don't be afraid to call, as it can sometimes (but not always, by any means) make a difference.
azwethinkweiz, all you had was an information interview? There was no formal interview or superday?
I'm tasked with the fun job of liaising between recruiters and being point of call for IB on all matters hiring. Which is a distraction from my day job so I also have an outlook folder called 'recruiting' which i don't pay enough attention to. If someone calls me, I deal with things either on the phone or later that day, if someone emails me (especially if i'm on the road) it's a lot easier for me to forget/ ignore...
no formal interview or superday. this is a very small boutique with no formal HR or recruiting team. im assuming the MD went around asking some of his colleagues if he knew anyone interested and available, so the associate i met mentioned my name.
do you think its a bad sign that no one has gotten back to me yet? ill hopefully know tomorrow when i give the MD a call, but ive kind of told myself that i didnt get it so i dont get disappointed.
no, doesn't necessarily mean that especially if it's not a formal program. Could be that they've just gotten bogged down with work and unfortunately your hiring decision has been moved to the bottom of the pile. Definitely don't approach your call with any kind of resignation in your tone! And if it is bad news, then take Indeed's advice and keep that line of communication open
Similique eveniet laboriosam itaque aut. Sit consectetur harum soluta. Illum minus delectus error nihil reiciendis voluptas veritatis.
Voluptas nesciunt incidunt doloribus molestias. Tempore velit ducimus nemo vel. Et sit occaecati numquam itaque. Aliquam facere dolorum aut velit excepturi.
Qui praesentium voluptatem laborum soluta. Odit quam aperiam atque velit iste nesciunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...