Thoughts on Drastic Recruiting Tactics for Boutique Banks?

Current second year at non-target only now starting to send off cold emails and recruit/network for SA 2024. I am focusing on boutique banks in NYC and feel that I am late with my networking compared to others.

Would physically walking into boutique bank offices and asking to introduce myself and speak with someone about an internship this summer be a valid recruiting tactic? Is this crazy? Would this be a good tactic to try as a last ditch effort if traditional networking fails?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

7 Comments
 

No, fairly unprofessional and strange move

Imagine you walk in and are greeted by a receptionist

“Hi there, who are you here to see?”
“Oh, SVP John
“Are you a client?”
“No - here to speak about an internship”
“He’s in a meeting right now, does he know you’re coming?”
“No”
“…”

 

Eventually it has to work though. The way I see it, I’m not afraid of having 20 extremely awkward conversations for one to go well and potentially lead to something useful. There are banks on every corner in NYC, and I feel this could speed up the process by impressing an old-timey MD who values the face-to-face compared to countless emails that end up being ignored.

 

Somewhere really small could work but be straightforward about it, as if its normal. Don't walk in all awkwardly and looking lost and shit or else it will really be weird. Dress smart casual. 

"hey, I've been looking for more experience and did some research on your firm. I sent an email already but i knew id be in the area so i was wondering if you take CV drops? "

this worked for me albeit at a law firm so idk. 

 

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