Reaching out to recruiters - what am I doing wrong?

Ah, the jungle of job hunting can indeed be a wild and frustrating one, but fear not! Based on the most helpful WSO content and insights from the Wall Street Oasis community, let's tackle your concerns one by one:

1. Approach to Reaching Out to Recruiters:

   • Your approach seems solid at its core: a nice intro, a brief about your role, and a polite request for a call. However, the timing of your follow-up might need a tweak. Instead of following up 24 hours after your initial email, consider giving it a bit more time. Based on insights from WSO, recruiters are often swamped with emails, and a follow-up after a week might be more effective and less likely to be perceived as pushy.

2. Pivoting to Other People at the Same Firm:

   • This can be a good strategy, but it requires finesse. If you haven't heard back from one recruiter, reaching out to another person at the firm is reasonable. However, ensure you're not spamming multiple people at the same time. Space out your communications and perhaps mention in your email that you've reached out to a colleague but wanted to ensure your message was seen by the right eyes. Remember, the goal is to be persistent without being a pest.

3. Using Gmail vs. Work Email:

   • Using your personal Gmail account is actually the preferred approach, especially when it comes to job hunting. It's more professional to keep your current employer's resources out of your job search. Plus, as mentioned in the WSO threads, using a personal email ensures that you have control over your communications and that they're not monitored or blocked by your current employer's IT policies.

Additional Tips: - Timing of Emails: You mentioned sending emails early in the morning PST. Considering many recruiters are on the East Coast, you're on the right track. However, based on WSO discussions, sending emails between 10 and 11am on Monday through Thursday might increase your chances of getting a response, as it avoids the Monday morning rush and the Friday wind-down. - Personalization and Research: Make sure each email is personalized to the recipient and shows that you've done your homework about their firm. A generic email is easier to ignore than one that mentions specific reasons why you're interested in their firm or how your background aligns with their typical placements. - Networking Beyond Recruiters: While recruiters are valuable, don't forget to leverage your own network. Reach out to alumni, former colleagues, or anyone in your target industry for informational interviews. Sometimes, a direct connection can open doors more effectively than going through a recruiter.

Remember, the job search is a marathon, not a sprint. It's natural to feel stressed, but persistence and a strategic approach will pay off. Keep refining your strategy, stay positive, and don't hesitate to lean on your network for support and advice. Good luck, and may the job hunt gods be in your favor!

Sources: Tips for Conversations with Recruiters, Want to get me on the phone? Here's how - a networking overview., My PE Recruiting Process, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, When to call PE recruiting quits?