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Start emailing the firms on your list, and gradually add to your list as you find more companies. If you have more than 30 firms, I'd say your list is "comprehensive" enough to start sending out emails. No reason to wait.
Figure out how to best spin your prior work experience to fit the applicable skills. Did you work with a team? Can you show examples of high attention to detail? Were you ever stuck with meaningless, bullshit work but did it anyway efficiently, error-free, and with a smile?
As for emailing BBs, what's the worst that could happen? You don't get a response, and you move on with life. You have literally nothing to lose except the time it takes to write emails. Reach out to any alumni at these BBs, and if you can sell yourself well and come across as genuine and likable, they'll do whatever they can to help. Don't limit yourself. Start at the analyst level, ask, for referrals, and work your way up the food chain. Sure, you may get redirected to the regular process, but you'll have a MUCH better chance of getting that first round interview.
Go into all this with an edge and a chip on your shoulder. None of this self-pitying bullshit. You have to get out there and hustle. If you want it bad enough, you're going to do whatever it takes to get it. And when you do the right things, people will start noticing. You just have to keep your head up and keep grinding.
Feel free to pm if you have specific questions.
TheSimpleBaller offers a great perspective and I agree on all points.
Also, you might be less likely to be ignored if you send your emails out on a Friday. I have cold-emailed people in the past and found that I didn't have much luck getting responses by emailing at 8:30AM Monday-Thursday. (The goal was to try and have my email at the top of their inbox by the time they open it in the morning.)
But when I sent it out at any time on Friday, I was more fortunate as people seemed to be less busy at the end of the week or in a better mood or whatever other factors go into improving response rate. But this is a small sample size and all based on my personal experiences. Either way, you're going to have a pretty low response rate (mine was under 10%). But you have absolutely nothing to lose as mentioned. Just the time it takes to write the email.
Both above are correct, if you're going into your senior year now is probably not the time to wait. Going to a high profile school helps, since you'll likely find a lot of alumni on linkedin and surely some of them will sympathize with your situation and want to at the very least give you a bit of advice and guidance. That being said, this is cold emailing so expect that most won't return your messages.
And the idea that you shouldn't be emailing those at BBs are wrong. That being said, I don't mean send off emails to MDs as you'll just be ignored but the analysts and associates are usually part of the recruiting process so making an impression on them is important. You'll also be surprised how some are willing to spend time to help you out, but don't forget they're busy. Until you've been able to chat with a few this is numbers game so reach out to as many as you can and try to cultivate them until some sort of a meaningful relationship.
SF_G's point seems interesting... maybe I'll try it out
Thanks guys. As I'm writing though, I've run into one obstacle on at the moment. Should I attach my resume with the cold email, or leave it off? My main concern is that while some people may respond, I'll still get dinged instantly the moment they see my resume. I mean I literally have no work experience and a 3.4 from non-target. Should I try to get them on the phone first, and THEN give in to the inevitable request for a resume?
Also, being that I'm a rising senior, how much do you think that'll hurt my chances at an unpaid boutique internship? While people who lack experience generally get those boutique internships(ie freshman), that's usually because the MD's at the firms want to develop people who they see as motivated and talented. As a senior who has massive blanks in his work history and nothing to put for the last 3 summers, I fear that I'll come across as an unmotivated prick who's not worth helping. Honestly there is nothing in the resume that is special, or even "on-level" with my peers. The thing is, I'm SUPER motivated now and learning my ass off. How do I show this in a traditionally brief e-mail..
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