how do you go in for the kill?

When you find a job posting that you absolutely want and are qualified for what is everyone's preference for how to approach it.

1) Contact alumni via email --> speak with alumni --> apply on website.
2) Apply on website --> contact alumni via email --> speak with alumni.

These are just basic options, feel free to share if you have your own unique approach that works.

5 Comments
 

I usually apply first (just in case an alum doesn't get back to me in time) and set up a call afterwards.

The worst part is if you get no response rate from contacting an alum and you don't want to overdo it by talking to everyone on the same team.

 
  1. Ideal: find someone you have worked with before who works at your targeted firm who can recommend you.
  2. Next best: find anyone you know who works at that firm who can recommend you.
  3. Next best: find someone who you know, who can introduce you to someone at that firm. LinkedIn helps a lot for this. You should be able to cover a lot of ground with this option.
  4. Next best: find something in common (alumni, club, charity work, whatever) with someone who works at the firm and introduce yourself.
  5. Cold call email people after some LinkedIn stalking.
  6. Apply online only (would not recommend).
 

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