Being proactive while job hunting. (Examinations etc.)

makeyourownluckproactive = networking. try and speak with at least 3 to 4 new people a day (if possible) in the area you are targeting. I did this for awhile and landed an IB gig. Other than that hit the gym and enjoy some of the time you have at your expense because once you start free time goes away and isn't coming back.

I completely agree with the expressed sentiment of your username, makeyourownluck. Hence, I have the following questions:

I'm in a similar position as OP and was curious if it is conventional to cold-email and then call or simply directly call assuming one has both contact details. Since I attend a non-target and few traders graduated from my school I'd prefer to break the ice first via email before being slightly intrusive with a call, or perhaps I'm just being presumptuous. Also, how does one respond to the expected "where did you get my contact details question" without coming across as a part-time stalker?

To be frank, I resorted to some fairly unusual methods to attain their contact details. For one, I created a Facebook account under the guise of a BB CEO (the guy who does God's work) and added a few VPs/Associates/Economists/Senior Prop traders etc. Most of them would be amused by the nature of my account and thus accept my friend request and from there I would fish out their details before they block me. I have been able to get in touch with some of the guys, however I am yet to leverage most of my contact database.