Desperate Sophmore who can't seem to land an interview let alone an internship offer.

Hey there! First off, don’t be too hard on yourself—recruiting can be a tough and frustrating process, especially as a sophomore from a non-target school. The fact that you’re actively seeking advice and trying to improve shows that you’re on the right track. Here are some actionable tips to help you out:

1. Cold Emailing: Do More of It

• Cold emailing is not useless—it’s actually one of the most effective ways to get your foot in the door, especially if you’re not at a target school. Persistence is key here.

• Use a simple and concise template like this: ``` Hi Name,

  My name is [Your Name], and I’m a sophomore at [Your University] studying [Your Major]. I’m very interested in learning more about your career path and your role at [Firm Name]. I’m currently exploring opportunities in [Asset Management/Equity Research/etc.] and would greatly appreciate any advice you could share.

  If you have 15-20 minutes for a quick call, I’d be incredibly grateful. I’ve attached my resume for context, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

  Best regards,
  [Your Name] ```

• Use tools like Hunter.io to find email addresses and send out at least 10-15 emails per week. Follow up after 5-7 days if you don’t get a response.

2. Leverage LinkedIn

• LinkedIn is a goldmine for networking. You don’t need Premium to send connection requests—just make sure to include a personalized note when you connect. For example: ``` Hi Name,

  I’m a sophomore at [Your University] interested in [Asset Management/Equity Research/etc.]. I came across your profile and was impressed by your experience at [Firm Name]. I’d love to connect and learn more about your career journey.

  Best,
  [Your Name] ```

• Once they accept, you can follow up with a message asking for a quick call or advice.

3. Focus on Informational Interviews

• The goal of cold emailing and LinkedIn outreach is to set up informational interviews. These are casual conversations where you can learn about someone’s career path and ask for advice.
• During these calls, don’t directly ask for an internship. Instead, build rapport and end the conversation by asking if they know of any opportunities or if they can connect you with someone else.

4. Broaden Your Search

• If you’re not getting traction with larger firms, consider smaller boutique firms, local wealth management offices, or even unpaid internships. These can provide valuable experience that you can leverage for future recruiting.
• Look into off-cycle internships or part-time roles during the school year.

5. Polish Your Resume

• Make sure your resume is tailored to the roles you’re applying for. Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your interest in finance.
• If you don’t have much experience, consider adding a section for “Relevant Skills” (e.g., Excel, Bloomberg, financial modeling) or “Academic Projects”.

6. Timing and Persistence

• Recruiting is a numbers game. The more applications, emails, and messages you send, the higher your chances of landing something. Remember, you only need one “yes.”
• Keep in mind that many firms hire on a rolling basis, so don’t stop applying even if it feels late in the game.

7. Prepare for Interviews

• Use your previous interview experience to refine your answers. Practice your elevator pitch (30 seconds about who you are and why you’re interested in the role).
• Be ready to discuss your interest in finance, your career goals, and any technical questions related to the role.

8. Join Finance Clubs or Competitions

• If your school has finance-related clubs or investment competitions, get involved. These can help you build skills, expand your network, and add to your resume.

9. Ask for Help

• Don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni, professors, or even peers who have landed internships. People are often willing to help if you show genuine interest and effort.

10. Stay Positive

• Rejection is part of the process, and it doesn’t define your worth. Keep pushing, and remember that every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”

Feel free to PM me or drop a comment if you want to discuss this further or need help with your resume or cold email templates. You’ve got this—stay persistent, and good luck! 😊

Sources: Two Internships Later: What I wish I Knew While Recruiting! (Toronto), Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, Should I get straight to the point in my cold email?, (London) So you didn’t get any spring weeks, here’s what you need to do:, Some advice on getting a job or internship by Monty09