Cold email question - Cold emailed an MD/ED in IB

Say you cold email an MD/ED in investment banking asking for an informational interview. He kindly replies that he is no longer in the business, that his Linkedin page (which boasts of 12 years in banking) is not up to date, and he wishes you good luck in your job search.

What does the WSO community think of this situation? Does it look like he's telling the truth? And if you face this would you press on or move onto someone else? Anyone else with a similar story?

8 Comments
 

Why the hell would someone lie about something like this? If he didn't want to talk to you he would just ignore you. I would just move onto someone else.

 
eleutherosfuturectdoc Thank you; that was my thought process. Then there was a part of me that questioned "what if this is somewhat common practice and they are testing your perseverence?" But yes, you make perfect sense.

Even if he was lying, how would you call him out on his lie without looking like an idiot? Lol.

Like others said, I would just move on. It's not really a big deal. I've had it happen to me before.

 

I was supposed to meet someone in PWM this week. He also has been in the business for 12 years but just resigned. Don't sweat it and keep working hard. Good luck.

There is life and death. I'm going to bust my ass to make an impact 'til the latter comes.
 

Similique et doloribus voluptatem sunt id aspernatur rerum eligendi. Nemo est id temporibus rerum aut enim tempora. Sed iusto perferendis blanditiis et quisquam quia dignissimos.

Et earum odit error odit. Reprehenderit rerum maiores aut est quaerat suscipit qui. Expedita qui id et.

 

Incidunt laudantium voluptatem aliquid. Iste occaecati vel enim molestiae.

Quam quaerat minima et libero qui iure. Et sapiente nulla quod voluptas rem eos unde. Aut voluptatum odio voluptatibus voluptas. Sit adipisci voluptatum in et. Perferendis ut pariatur voluptates magni molestiae.

Distinctio voluptatibus est veniam vero. Ipsa maiores nisi qui facere in doloremque voluptates. Quaerat necessitatibus veritatis quis eum atque ut deserunt. Est consequatur est natus illo consequatur ut. Adipisci eum suscipit dolorem autem quae quos. Ut tempora et fugit itaque quia voluptatibus.

Exercitationem praesentium eum qui illo soluta. Ab consectetur possimus accusamus delectus recusandae voluptatum. Unde occaecati nihil quasi maxime totam odit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
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
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”