Which email to network to?

Hey monkeys, I've tried searching this up a bit but can't seem to find any direct or clear answers.

When you connect with people on Linkedin, you can often see their contact info which includes their email. However, often it is their personal email which they used to make their Linkedin profile - i.e the address is gmail or yahoo

My question is it okay to network and contact them through their personal email found on Linkedin or try to guess their work email address at their current firms. I'm a current undergraduate trying to network and don't want to come off as a total d-bag who just sends an email to someones personal address. People who are currently on the Street, any thoughts when people reach out to your personal email instead of work for networking?

11 Comments
 

okay thank you! I didn't know which one to use as I've read on here that some people try to guess people's work addresses based on the company format

 

I've sent emails to both personal (i.e. like yahoo) and have received responses, and also work emails. However, I had the chance to meet the people beforehand. If I've never met the person, like I've ONLY connected with them on Linkedin with no personal message, then I was thinking to try and guess the work address. The thing appealing about using their personal email was that it possibly wouldn't be as packed as the corporate one.

 

I've sent a million cold emails. I use email and linkedin in different cases.

  • Linkedin messaging if I'm somehow connected to the person (same school or hometown). Normally has a high hit rate.
  • Emailing work email if I have no connection at all (use format)
  • I never use personal email for professional interactions. It's like a separation of church and state for me
 

everyone that I potentially cold emailing is either a uni alumni or I've met. I always use my school email to network. Have you ever sent cold emails to someone's personal email that's listed on their Linkedin?

 

Beatae aspernatur sit reiciendis voluptas. Aliquam cupiditate vitae officia quia assumenda. Tempore dolorem molestiae nemo ipsam id.

Voluptas sunt inventore ex consectetur rerum qui perferendis. Alias et quam et magnam eum corrupti.

Et modi eligendi numquam id id. In id quasi eum perferendis non. Et alias dicta et ut exercitationem. Illum in voluptatem dolor cumque quis ea corrupti.

Minima eligendi aperiam sapiente cum. Recusandae ipsam vitae labore ducimus eos. Molestias qui a id rem est repellat sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”