Should I respond to cold messages about a role I haven’t even started yet?
I'm a senior in college and going to be working full-time as an ER associate after I graduate in May. I'll be working for a large bank and I have it under my LinkedIn is as "incoming research associate."
Ever since putting that on my LinkedIn, I keep getting a ton of messages from random college students asking me for insights to the team, interview process, or even how my experience has been... despite it clearly saying I am "incoming" and haven't started. Some of the messages are generic, but some of them do seem genuine.
I want to help these people as I would want the same (I didn't network with incoming employees to get this job), but I don't want to risk actually responding and they potentially drop my name or something in a possible interview.
I guess my question is that do I respond to these people and give them insights on my process, or do I just not even respond to not have to worry about it?
Might be a dumb question, but honestly I don't know what would be "best" in this scenario. Thanks for your help and insights!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Responding is Optional, But Be Cautious: While it's commendable that you want to help others, you are under no obligation to respond to these messages. If you do choose to respond, keep your replies general and avoid sharing any specific details about the team, processes, or anything that could be misinterpreted or misused. For example, you can share general advice about networking or interview preparation without diving into specifics about your future role or employer.
Set Boundaries: If you decide to respond, you can politely clarify your position. For instance, you could say something like, "Thanks for reaching out! I’m happy to share general advice about recruiting, but since I haven’t started my role yet, I can’t provide insights about the team or the experience."
Avoid Risky Situations: To prevent any potential issues, avoid allowing your name to be dropped in interviews or conversations. You can explicitly state in your response that you’re sharing advice as a peer and not as a representative of the firm.
Focus on Genuine Messages: If you do respond, prioritize messages that seem genuine and well-thought-out. Generic or copy-paste messages can often be ignored without guilt.
Consider the "Incoming" Factor: As highlighted in WSO threads, some professionals avoid putting "incoming" on LinkedIn to sidestep situations like this. While it’s too late to change that now, it’s something to consider for the future.
Ultimately, the decision to respond is up to you. If you feel uncomfortable or unsure, it’s perfectly fine to ignore the messages. Your priority should be preparing for your new role and ensuring you start on the right foot.
Sources: Dear College Students..., Incoming [insert position] on LinkedIn., The Best Networking, Cold Calling and Cold Emailing Posts on WSO, Something wrong with my cold email?, Black Jack's Recruiting Advice
I think you can respond to the genuine ones and just be honest. However I would be intrested to hear about your process of breaking in straight from undergrad and how recruitng went and advice/ suggestions. what did your background look like, school grades etc. I am a rising senior working at a boutique ib this summer and am hoping to pivot into ss er.
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