At what level of seniority do you use Mr/Mrs. instead of first names for a cold email? Strictly wondering for the first point of contact, I usually address them as whatever they sign off as after regardless of seniority.
Also, should you be explicit when asking for a call OR coffee? Or let them choose? How should it be phrased?
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Never. It's weird. Don't do it. I call my firm's CEO by his first name. No one calls anyone "Mr." or "Ms.".
Well the difference is that you're a familiar face and I'm a kid half their age, and I feel like there definitely are sticklers in the industry that still have the "earn your badge" mentality. I feel like its acceptable for within a firm but its better to err on the cautious side of things when you're an outsider.
You're not a child anymore. You show that you understand this world a lot better if you speak like I do, and not like my neighbor's kid. You need to start seeing yourself as one of us if you want to get a job working with us.
No one is a stickler for these things, and if they are, they are not people you want to work with. Trust me. No one calls anyone "Mr." or "Ms.", unless it is an extremely formal setting, such as a Congressional hearing.
I'd ask for a call first, and if they really like you and you feel the call went well then maybe bring up meeting for coffee. A lot more people are willing to get on the phone over meeting with a stranger.
Also, dont call anyone Mr/Mrs. You're an adult, not a child. Funny story, I actually used to think like you and call people by Mr/Mrs and one day I decide to cold email an alumni. I looked that person up on Linkedin and I couldn't find a picture or anything indicating their gender. The person had a guys name, let's assume it was Jordan or something, so I think "Yea this is obviously a guy." I email them using "Mr" and they reply, they set up a call and everything, I'm fucking pumped. The day of the call comes and I get on the phone to hear it was a Mrs and not a Mr. Who the fuck names their daughter Jordan!? (I've only seen Jordyn or Jordin). All in all, I never addressed that I called her a dude, she mentioned it happens all the time, it was an okay call and she looked at my resume and gave me some pointers. Moral of the story: call people by their first name and avoid situations like this.
It seems as though we've firmly established to address people by their first name. As an adendum to using the first name in an email, always remain professional - cordial - and brief when writing the context of the email. Some students try to be overly "Buddy buddy," or write an exposé on their life story. Neither approach works with high success.
4-5 sentences tops. Ask first for a call, and on the call (if you're reading the situation correctly) ask if you can meet for coffee.
Example phrasing: "I'm highly interested in applying to [insert firm], and would love to jump on a quick call to hear about your experience working there?"
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about [x, y, and z]. If I come up with any additional questions would you mind if I reached back out? (affirmative response) Thank you again. I'm also about 15min away from the downtown office, if you're free one morning I'd love to buy you a cup of coffee?"
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