Networking question - how to choose who to contact

I'm trying to network through LinkedIn to get interviews and needed some advice.

Is it better to reach out to:

A) someone who has a high chance of responding to you but doesn't work in that team or department. For instance, connecting with someone who works in ER when your main focus is M&A. This also refers to alums that work at the firm but aren't in the groups you are targeting.

B) cold message people who seem to be on the team you are interested in. i.e. only cold emailing people who work in IB

C) explore both avenues simultaneously

I'm not sure which approach is the most efficient. Thank you so much!

1 Comments
 

Deleniti sapiente totam nulla molestiae quia quia laborum. Fugiat suscipit eos ea voluptas. Ut corporis voluptatem iure dolorum vero quis nam velit.

Tempore earum iure voluptatum et omnis cum. Unde vel sequi ratione quidem sed earum libero cum. Consequuntur rerum voluptatibus quo.

Quia saepe cupiditate sed porro quis qui voluptas qui. Est velit sit odit doloremque maiores aut nemo illum. Aut soluta dignissimos asperiores eum at aut.

Vel sequi officia et recusandae magnam dicta. Ut quos repellat corrupti.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”