Question about Networking for SA position

Hey guys, so I have a few quick questions that I would appreciate some help with. I am a rising junior at the University of Illinois (UIUC) and will be in Chicago for the summer for an internship. I want to start focusing on networking to get some informational interviews lined up.

My question is what position is the best to cold email? Analysts? Associates? Or VP's and MD's?

This question applies to both alumni and non-alumni. I plan to contact alumni first but after that am going to search for other people that I have something in common with.

It should be noted that I will be targeting all BBs and top MMs in Chicago first, and then move on to all of the BBs and top MMs in NYC.

Also, have seen mixed opinions on the following question and just want to hear a few more people weigh in. Should I attach my resume to the first email or not?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Email EVERYONE.

If you have connections (know someone personally), you'd do better with BRIEFLY reaching out to senior people. If you are cold-emailing, I'd say you would have a higher response rate with younger people. But definitely reach out to as many people as you can, as I'm sure you've heard many times on here -- it's a numbers game.

As for the resume in the 1st email, people have mixed opinions, and I'm kind of in between. More specifically, If I'm reaching out to someone whom I don't know AT ALL, I would try and describe a little bit about what I've done in the email without actually attaching anything:

"I've been a Summer Analyst with GS Ops. for my freshman summer, an SA in TMT with JPM, and now I'm looking to blabla", obviously making this up, so tailor towards your own experience.

If I was referred to the person or know them personally, then I'd say no harm in attaching the resume. Just my $.02.

 

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