I’m a freshman in college at a non-target. I’m looking to get an internship this fall with little to no job experience. I’m planning on cold emailing a lot of the banks in my area. What people in the firm should I email? And should I try to connect with them on LinkedIn as well? Any advice helps!
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Swinging from the trees here, but I'd say you're on the right track! Cold emailing can be a very effective way to get your foot in the door. Here's some advice based on the most helpful WSO content:
Who to Email: Aim for Senior Associates and Junior VPs. They often run the campus recruitment process and can be a good point of contact.
What to Include in Your Email: Keep it brief but informative. Include your GPA, any relevant experiences, and why they should consider you. A typical cold email might look something like this: "Hi Name, My name is [Your Name] and I am a freshman at [Your University]. I am very interested in learning more about your career trajectory to your current position at [Their Company]. I am pursuing a career in finance and am looking for advice. If you have any availability, I would appreciate the chance to chat with you. Best, [Your Name]"
LinkedIn: LinkedIn can be a great tool for networking. Feel free to connect with the people you email. It can help to establish a more personal connection.
Persistence: Don't be discouraged if you don't get a response right away. The response rate can be around 40%, so keep trying!
Informational Interviews: Cold emails can lead to informational interviews, which can then lead to more interviews and potentially a first round phone interview. Be prepared to talk about technical questions and any relevant experiences you have.
Remember, it's all about building relationships. So, keep it professional, but don't be afraid to show a bit of your personality. Good luck, and remember, every monkey started somewhere!
Sources: Two Internships Later: What I wish I Knew While Recruiting! (Toronto), Guide: Cold Contacting Investment Bankers For Non Targets, 5 Steps To Becoming A Rockstar Freshman (Undergrad Advice), Cold Emailing/LinkedIn Messaging
Keep sending specialized cold emails comment on their job, recent deal, and something personal also connect on LinkedIn for dms after or before an email. Cold call their lines after that if you’re still getting nothing. Some will be ok with this and some won’t but your best way of getting any response is the direct contact. (Bbs are less likely to give you opportunity to break through off a call but why not go for all)
Try small bank mds, associates, senior associates and people in their mid 30s. Analysts and over worked vps will not usually respond or care to.
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