adding value in a cold email?

networking question here. I'm a 2022 semi-target graduate who works in corporate finance now but wants to get into IB. I'm well aware that I missed my window for the BBs/EBs and likely the MMs, so I'm targeting regional boutiques but even that will require some pretty serious networking to get in.

With cold emails, what are some of the best ways you've found to add value/show I have something to offer the person I'm cold emailing? As someone who's out of college and not already in banking, I imagine I don't check a lot of eye test boxes.

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Hard truth: you add little to no value right now, and trying to be unique with the email often rubs people the wrong way.

In this hiring market, regional boutiques are able to hire experienced BB/MM analysts so you are really swimming against an impossible current here. I would focus your outreach on small LMM type places, even looking in T2/T3 cities. 

Alternatively, could do another year or two in corp fin and then use an M7 MBA to go right to BB/EB IB. The money is a tough thing to swing but this would personally be my choice so you're not spending 5+ years trying to lateral up to slightly larger banks.

 

When trying to "add value" I think of people attaching modeling/valuation work, doing cold phone calls and trying to get redirected, or having some sales-y email pitch. You've gotta stick to the simple, few sentences ones, even if they are pretty redundant, because the cold email is just a challenging place to try to stand out.

Personalizing the email is fine but IMO really not worth the effort and will add significant amount of time for little reward. For alums/people you have connection with, definitely - but if we are not connected by some string I don't care one bit if you mention my prior jobs or school.

 

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