Cold Email Tips From Analyst
Don't be discouraged with a low response rate on cold emails-- it's nothing personal. Analysts are working 60-120 hours / week, and their priority is to do their jobs well so they get good bonuses and don't get laid off; recruiting is just a side assignment which they are not usually graded on. That being said, there are a few common sense habits that sophomores usually miss due to having limited professional work experience. Here are some helpful tips to increase your response rate.
- Target alumni or "warm connections" first (friends, friends' sibilings, family, people with similar interests). Use the work email when possible and not personal
- Keep the email short
- When doing outreach, make sure to use a relevant title, and use things like "Referred from XYZ" or "XYZ alumni"
- Personalize the email and mention points of similarity with the analyst (preferably shared interests)
- Be polite and not informal
- Attach your resume in PDF format always. Use the standard WSO finance template
- Offer 3 times that work, in the analyst's relevant time zone. Offer to send a calendar invite (not a google meet one!)
- Make sure to spell the bank / person's name correctly
- Don't make careless errors when scheduling meetings; along with the above, you only get one chance to make an impression. Do not miss the allotted meeting time. Analysts see so many resumes and emails, if you mess up they will move on immediately
- If you can, respond promptly when an analyst responds; if you can stay top of mind after they've drafted a response to your email they will likely accept your invitation to chat immediately
- It's good to "bump" the thread every 2-3 weeks or so if there is no response, and also when first rounds are kicking off, as long as you are polite about it
- Send a polite thank you email afterwards mentioning relevant aspects of the call
Good luck, and keep sending out networking emails!
I would add to stay away from carpet bombing a whole firm. Had this one dude spamming everyone in my bullpen with 3 follow ups. Became a punchline.
I can see how that would get annoying. How, then, would you hedge against the low response rate?
Can reach out in a staggered fashion — maybe an email every week to a different person in the group
Finally someone says it.. the amount of times literally 3 people in the bullpen get pinged by the same person moments apart.. please stop doing that
Question for any of the analysts: do you prefer to be called at your work or cell phone number?
I’ve been sending calendar invites for their cell, but recently had someone ask to call them at their work number. I was wondering which one I should default to moving forward if they don’t specify? Thanks.
Default to cell.
What do you mean by don't send a google meet calendar invite? I usually use google calendar when someone asks for an invite
Send an outlook invite instead. Almost every single bank uses the Microsoft office suite, not google sheets
Nah google calendar invite is fine. Comes across the same in the calendar.
I would add networking with an analyst provides absolutely minimal value. They have zero pull in the final decision. ALWAYS shoot for associate and up.
Look at this guy thinking he has all the pull in the fucking world.
Very true. I would also add associates have little sway as well. If possible try VP (especially the staffer) and up
I had two An2's at different firms pull for me during recruitment and got me interviews without speaking to any associates and up. One of them also said he went to bat for me during the Superday round table and I ended up getting the offer. While they usually don't have much pull, a well respected analyst can certainly help you out.
putting a caveat here. this is true but off a cold email 0% this happens. realistically, one would happen with school/family ties to the analyst there already. main focus should be associate +
Oh ya big bro, people going to bat for you? Fuck ya bro bro 🤙🏻 so sick.
You must be such a stud man.
100% right. If the Analyst really likes you and you keep in touch a lot, they might be able to pull some strings. But they need to REALLY like you if they are willing to put their reputation on the line for u. I have had 2 Analysts pull for me so far (Probably networked with 30+). It is highly unlikely they will pull any strings, but not impossible if they really like you.
Several boutiques use analysts to screen candidates and help form the 1st round / super day lists. Not saying analysts have significant pull when it comes to the offer decision, but they can very much make the difference between continuing on in the early stages of the process
Yes adding to this if you are at a target with a school recruitment team, analysts are usually in control of the process there
Why are you a mentor as an intern / incoming A1? Genuine question
Can we stop with these posts
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