Coming across 'not stupid' in a cold email?

Hey guys and gals. 

I am sending off LinkedIn requests and cold emails, the usual for a non-target.

Anyways I'm aware that people some people are too busy, but others are simply not bothered because of the students who waste their time asking questions and not actually interacting with the person. 

How do I come across in my email that I am not going to waste their time with questions without wasting their time with dumb questions? 

Greatly appreciate any advice you have!

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Hi X, 

I hope you are well. 

My name is NAME SURNAME, and I am currently studying towards an MSc. Finance in UNIVERSITY. I came across your profile on Linkedin and noticed that you also studied at UNIVERSITY.  

I've been working incredibly hard to position myself for a role at J.P. Morgan for the upcoming recruitment cycle.

I'd love to get 15 minutes of your time for you to share your advice on how I could best position myself for a role at JPM

I'd greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time. 

Many thanks, 

 

Temporibus in voluptatem officia sed sed commodi. Corrupti nihil sit eum.

Et veritatis ratione itaque officiis fugit voluptatem assumenda. Quo occaecati quod id magnam in ipsum eveniet voluptate. Ad ipsa quia aperiam labore nisi modi similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”