19 Comments
 

in my experience, I got a better response rate by not including it. I typically requested informational interviews, tried to build a rapport, and then asked if they could take my resume along after I felt comfortable acting.

Of course I'm from a non target and didn't have an ounce of 'pedigree' after my first job. If you have an outstanding resume, you might have a different experience than me in just attaching it.

 

Really depends on a multitude of factors; what you are trying to accomplish, the person, your personality. If it is simply to network and build a relationship with an alumnus which you can then ask for help 5-12 months down the line, I wouldn't include my resume. But if you are cold emailing companies who you have no connections to, I would write up a short email message, a cover letter, and send that along with your resume. Then give them a cold call in a couple days to follow up, and keep following up until you get a firm no.

 

Interesting. Including one doesn't seem too presumptuous to you?

"There's no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery. You can't do business from there." - Colonel Sanders
 
Best Response

I really don't get why people seem to think that. I really enjoy networking and my fund takes a very long term approach to recruiting (ie. we do a lot of coffee chats leading up to our formal recruiting) and I was one of the lead for recruiting when I was in IBD so I have done this a lot. I am also extremely busy and get way more requests for informationals than I can possible do. So before agreeing to spend some of my time to meet someone, I need a way to judge whether that person has any potential. It is hard to do that without seeing a resume, especially for people with limited or no experience.

 

I am very fortunate in that I go to a target school. Many alumni from my school work in finance. Should I include my resume even when reaching out to alumni?

 

Other people can answer these questions better than I, but I think it's generally not a great idea to send a resume/cover letter in your initial email. I've always asked for informational interviews, then asked about any internship possibilities-in your case it would be full time opportunities. From my experience, talking to them for even just 5-10 min over the phone before asking about job openings works better than asking upfront.

 

does anyone else have an opinion on this? i feel that attaching my resume on the first email saves a step. They might not have time to reply but they might forward the resume to someone else.

 

I personally think attaching a resume on your first email is a bit presumptuous. It basically reads like "Here, you have time to read this and are interested, even though I don't know you and we've never met." Better to meet with someone and talk, then ask them if you can give them your resume.

 

Doloribus et dolores quam quasi perspiciatis repellendus dolores quaerat. Voluptatem omnis quo dicta ipsum consequatur aut. Ut sed itaque commodi quos. Quia quam dicta doloribus dolore error omnis eos nesciunt. Sequi ipsam accusantium minima beatae aliquid iusto alias. Soluta molestiae rerum id eum quaerat. Molestiae sunt aspernatur error ea ut.

Numquam autem impedit dolorum esse non ut. Velit explicabo debitis et quis est distinctio sit. Repudiandae quis molestias officiis accusamus beatae totam quia non. Aliquam reiciendis illum quae et molestias quis vel. Nisi dignissimos natus animi. Debitis deleniti nemo molestias odio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”