How realistic is it for me to get a micro investment bank fall internship through cold emailing?
I'm a rising sophomore at Columbia with next to no finance experience. Solid GPA and I'm self-studying, but I'm just wondering if these tiny sub-10 person offices would be responsive to a cold email
You're not emailing companies. You're emailing people. They're just like other people.
Establish a relationship and see what comes of it.
Having gotten things out of networking (albeit in Law and in London), your main aim should be to build a relationship with people. Best to reach out to alum (even high school works) instead of completely random people as they are more likely to get back to you (anecdotal evidence but I only had 1 alum not get back to me out of the 15+ I emailed, 50% success with non-alum although I only emailed 5 or 6) and are probably more willing to actually help you (not a single alum I spoke to said no to helping me in some way). It also is a numbers game but I would also tailor each email to the person/bank you are emailing and focus on places with no formal recruiting pathway. It could also be worthwhile to initiate the conversation via LinkedIn and then move over to email. There is no reason why it cannot happen and there is absolutely no downside to trying unless you're an idiot and sign off the email saying "Kind Retards" instead of "Kind Regards".
Thanks for the advice! I'm curious as to what I should include in a cold email/LinkedIn message. Should I express interest in working at the firm or just hearing about their experience? If I do the latter will it come across poorly if I ask them about internship opportunities at the firm on the call? On that note, should I waiti until a second call or a third to pop that question?
And does it come across as disingenuous if they're at a really small firm and I'm writing in the cold email that "I'm interested in hearing about your path to XYZ firm?" Surely they know I really am just there for the opportunity?
And also, at a sub-10 person shop, is it alright to reach out to the founder, or should I ask an analyst or someone midway up the ladder?
You could say “I’m interested in hearing about your pathway to Firm and any potential upcoming opportunities there may be at Firm”. Alternatively you could do something along the lines of “I'm reaching out because I've been following [RECENT DEAL]. [STUFF ABOUT YOU]. I know your time is valuable, but I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your work at Firm and any future opportunities to join the team as an Intern.”. These cover both bases so it makes you seem more transparent about your intentions.
People do not think it’s disingenuous that you’re asking about working at a Boutique Bank as it is a good career choice (exposure, culture etc) - it’s arguably more disingenuous to think boutiques can't lead to as good a career as a BB or act as some sort of alternative employment for people who fail to get into a BB.
It generally makes more sense to email a Partner/Director and there is no hard and fast rule as to when to ask about an internship - if you think you made a good relationship on the first call, it is perfectly fine to ask about opportunities. You need to make that judgement on your own.
What’s the point of these types of questions? Why don’t you just send the cold email and see for yourself?
Consequatur dolorum dignissimos excepturi sint. Nesciunt quas quia non expedita non. Aut laudantium inventore hic esse tempora necessitatibus cupiditate. Vitae minus corporis harum repellendus recusandae. Sed aspernatur aut dignissimos pariatur quos ullam. Dolor quidem omnis quae nobis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Qui autem voluptatem nisi quo. Rem facilis natus reiciendis beatae et quis dolorem ab.
Vel iure non rem minus quisquam aut. Quae hic ipsa sequi alias. Est eligendi tenetur nisi at labore non quia. Et soluta nobis et ex.
Consectetur alias et ea harum alias laboriosam. Et modi id doloremque quam. Dignissimos perspiciatis omnis enim sunt accusamus a veniam. A qui dicta quaerat quia iure consectetur. Rerum sed ratione occaecati dolor omnis illo dolorem incidunt. Sunt consequatur excepturi assumenda et et.