Isn't it better to ask for internship directly?

Instead of going through the BS of getting on the phone to learn more about what you do and then asking for internship at the end, isn't it better to just straight up ask if their firm is offering internships in the first email?? Wouldn't the MD appreciate you not wasting their time?

 

This person has no way of knowing whether they want to recommend you or help you get a job. They have to get to know you some first. They do that by having a conversation with you. You'll also benefit from these conversations because you'll end up learning a lot about the industry and the specific banks. If you can't behave like a normal likeable person in these situations, you won't get hired or last in the industry.

 
baloneymaloney:

Right, but I don't expect someone to hire me after writing an email.

The logic behind my method is that if a banker was even remotely interested in hiring an intern, they would respond to my email after looking at my resume and then have someone interview me. So either way, they get to speak with me.

You're logic is incorrect and shows a lack of both understanding about the industry and of business etiquette.

 

I thought like that when I first graduated from college too. I would still go about the networking the old school way: never ask for a job during info interview and let them come to you.

Yes, they get it: you are reaching out to get some leads to interviews and jobs. Yes, you get it: you want to "learn about their careers and firms", but you really want a job. However, it's about reciprocity. Networking 101 is about understanding "what's there for them?" They want to see whether you even have the basic etiquette to earn the informational interviews and present yourself properly. If you can't do that, why should they hire you in hopes of getting you in front of clients to get deals down the road.

It's a formality, but life has rules. Getting the internship through networking means you have the bare minimum skill to build business relationships, a skill required 100% of time for a senior banker (ask the MDs how much DCFs they do every day).

 
Best Response
baloneymaloney:

Right, but it's assumed that after I write an email asking for an internship, they would interview me if they were interested. I don't expect them to hire me right off the bat.

They wouldn't even bother interview you if you just asked for an internship. You dont go on a first date and immediately ask to fuck

 

Let's reword that original post and see how it sounds...

*Isn't it better to ask to take your date back to your place directly?

Instead of going through the trouble of going on a date to learn more about what your date does and then asking to her if she wants to go back to your place at the end, isn't it better to just straight up ask if she is interested in going back to your place in the first conversation you have with her?? Wouldn't the woman appreciate you not wasting her time?*

Yeah I think that's a swing and a miss pal.

 

Like many others mentioned, it's an indirect way of asking for a internship/job but it's etiquette. When you ask for an informational interview it's a chance for them to get to know you better, so they can determine if they want to refer/recommend you for an interview, and it's an opportunity for you to learn more about their industry/product/whatever. I once wanted to do Equity S&T, IB, PWM, PB, etc., but after numerous information sessions (mostly through family contacts so it was on much friendlier terms), they helped me steer towards something that I had a true passion for. Now, I'm intent on Fixed Income S&T, though my mentor asked me during the first informational interview with him, "if you've never had an internship or any contact with FI Trading, how do you know this is what you want to do?" It's a way for them to weed out those who are truly interested/intent and an opportunity for you to find out if this is truly what you want to do for a living

Go ahead and directly ask them for an internship or FT. Most likely, if you don't know them, they'll either ignore your email/call or they'll chew you out. I've asked several people and they either directed me towards HR, immediately hung up when they picked up, or just replied "I'll look into it" (family contact).

 

In a rational world, life would be so much easier. You have the skill set to work at a firm and you know they need an intern, instead of going through all formalities you just get to the point: get me an interview. You have everything a girl would ever want, you find a girl who has everything you'd ever need, instead of going through the energy and money draining courting period called dating, you just ask her to marry you.

As time goes on you'll learn that life just doesn't work that way. I'm in the same boat as you, I want things to work efficiently, but in order to win you need to play by the rules, and as you are still in college looking for an internship, you are not the one setting the rules. When you reach MD status and have college kids coming to you for a job, you can handle it anyway you like, but until then, follow the rules of the game.

 

Instead of going through the BS of getting on the phone or meeting in person with Travis Kalanick at Uber to demonstrate knowledge of their company, the market for their shares, and feign interest in their well being, isn't it better to just straight up ask if they want to hire us for an IPO?? Won't Travis appreciate us not wasting his time?

 

Follow up question on this. At this late stage, with only options being regional botiques, there isn't necessarily the time to build relationships. While its definitely stupid to straight up ask for an internship on a cold-email, would it be advisable to ask something along the lines of "How can I put myself in a position to interview at your firm" towards the end of the first informational interview or phone interview you have with the person?

 

Yes, you have to. It's too late.

GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."
 

you need to contact as many as possible. i wouldn't flat out ask, rather act like you're interested in what they do and occasionally they will offer to take a look at your resume. ask to meet up with them if you can. i think it is impolite to straight up ask for an internship/interview because you're using them as a means to an end.

 

Hey,

I know a lot of people on this forum say not to email with a request for internship, but I did that and had a pretty alright success rate. Phrased it more subtly though with questions like "is there an opening I may apply for". Imho, they know you're looking for internships, and I'd rather not bs with them. If they reply saying they do not have any vacancies left, I ask for a chat with them and it has worked out fine so far.

Then again, I'm really inexperienced and I might have just gone lucky. Am going to switch to asking for chats first and then interviews and see the difference.

Cheers, J

Edit: That wasn't for PWM, so there maybe substantial differences. (I have no idea.)

 

I recently did this myself. I was not awarded any summer internships in PWM at big firms, but I didn't give up. I am from a non-target school so that definitely didn't help either, and have zero prior experience on my resume. I made a list of boutiques and started cold e-mailing them asking them for a 5-10 minute phone call. It's easy to just delete an e-mail but it's (slightly) harder to say no on the phone.

I sent out a lot of cold e-mails and got a response from a boutique who basically said they appreciated my balls for cold e-mailing them and requesting their time, and I start this Thursday. So yea, I think you should do it. You will be told "no" 99 times before you receive a "yes" in most cases unless you networked your ass off (or you're a lazy product of nepotism).

Good luck.

 
GeneralThade:

Any university connections with the MDs or anyone at the firm? I'd go with them first

Yes there are, fortunately. One MD at one of the firms is an alumnus. What would be the proper way to express interest/improve my chances?

 

Why would you ask a second time if they've already denied you once? Am I missing something...

It's pretty late in the process at this point, but if you're serious start blasting all boutiques in your area asap

 

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