Am I saying something wrong in my emails?

I've been reaching out to people (mostly alum) after getting an introduction of some sort and I've been having bad luck where they stop replying to my email. Here's an example of what I replied back to one alum who I was hoping to get some advice from and build a connection to. He responded after a few weeks with an apology and he wants to set up a phone chat so I emailed back:

"Hi John,

Thanks for the response and no problem on the delay. A phone call
would be great. Which days are best for you? I'm usually available on
afternoons during the weekdays. Let me know what works best for you
and if you have a contact number I can reach you at. My contact number
is xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thanks,
X"

Am I coming off badly or something? This isn't the first time this has happened.

 

Looks fine to me. Unless they are all being snobs about ending your sentence with a proposition (". . . I can reach you at") but I seriously, seriously doubt that. Maybe you're just getting unlucky.

 

Not bad, but I wouldnt say when is good for you. This is subtle, but it's important if youa re rubbing people the wrong way (they are very busy).

If they have time, you take that time. It doesnt matter if you have class. In other words, delete everything after "When is best for you?"

If it turns out you have an exam or something and can't tkae the call, then fine, let him or her know. Otherwise, make it work. Remember, they are helping YOU.

stay tuned for WSO Networking Month...this is exactly the stuff we'll be covering.

 

Any time and day he would've responded with, I would've agreed to it. I did try to put the ball in his hands with a lot of flexibility. I just had a preference for afternoons as we have a large time zone difference. Anyway, what's the right thing to say to follow up on this email?

 

I would recommend 'putting them on the spot' a bit more and asking if two specific dates and times would work. It puts the onus on them a bit more, and allows for an easier answer from them because you're making them think less. So something like, "If it is agreeable, perhaps we could arrange a call for either next Tuesday the 27th or Thursday the 29th at 2:00pm?" It makes it easier for your contact to look at his schedule and go boom "available/not available." If it doesn't work for him, he'll usually suggest an alternate time that does work.

 
olafenizer:
I would recommend 'putting them on the spot' a bit more and asking if two specific dates and times would work. It puts the onus on them a bit more, and allows for an easier answer from them because you're making them think less. So something like, "If it is agreeable, perhaps we could arrange a call for either next Tuesday the 27th or Thursday the 29th at 2:00pm?" It makes it easier for your contact to look at his schedule and go boom "available/not available." If it doesn't work for him, he'll usually suggest an alternate time that does work.
Almost word for word what I was going to say. This is very effective for setting up any meeting.
 
Best Response

Rerum voluptatem aliquam est odit dolores ut. Nihil quia recusandae officia soluta voluptatem animi. Blanditiis eos ratione vero. Consequatur iure fuga velit recusandae. Voluptatem est itaque voluptatem provident consectetur perferendis praesentium. Et temporibus quo magni sapiente et.

Temporibus reprehenderit vero iste sunt velit repellendus voluptatum. Vel nobis ut aspernatur. Tenetur soluta rerum sit beatae porro officiis. Temporibus sit quas nesciunt non molestiae. Dignissimos voluptas veritatis accusantium. Dolorem possimus maxime magnam.

Ullam aspernatur perferendis aut est aut magnam rerum illum. Ratione magnam fugiat dolor consequatur consequuntur repellat ullam. Consequuntur officia voluptatibus qui voluptatem voluptatem quasi. Magnam unde illo qui quo omnis est.

Maiores quis doloribus ut cupiditate rerum. At rem voluptates possimus molestias aut officiis et maxime. Consectetur facilis fugiat quis ex tenetur exercitationem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 19 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres 06 98.9%
  • JPMorgan Chase 09 98.3%
  • William Blair 03 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (22) $375
  • Associates (94) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (69) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (207) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (152) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”