Hi Guys,
When i compose an email to a stranger (alumni, or someone i think might agree to talk to me) requesting an informational meeting or some phone time, is it ok to attach my resume in order for them to review my background ahead of time and not waste time asking me to send it. On the other hand, can attaching a resume be looked at as too overzealous as if I was asking for a job? Again, the goals of the emails are informational chats meant to develop relationships and do not include asking for a job, but will hopefully generate opportunities in the future.
Thanks everyone!
Don't attach your resume. That will come out with time. It sends the wrong message.
Agree with babybuster. Don't attach a resume. Just say "My name is _____, I'm majoring in this and interested in this... I've had a few internships in this and this... and I'm interested in learning more about your company" in like 2 or 3 sentences. Don't mention your GPA, awards, tests etc... you'll get a feel for if he can help and then you can send him your resume in email #2.
Don't attach it in the first email. I cold emailed a bunch of alums and everyone who I actually spoke with and many who I simply had an email conversation with asked for my resume. If you are likable, qualified, and interested most will offer to pass along your resume. These are not stupid people, they have been in your shoes and know what you are really looking for.
That exactly why I would attach the resume with the first email. Attach the resume, and write a nice letter. I have gotten plenty of interviews this way. These people are not stupid and they know exactly why you are emailing. Make a well crafted email (three paragraphs, similar format to cover letter) First paragraph will always change depending on who you are emailing/what they do// mention speaking with them about their career and opportunities with the firm/your interests in what they do. Second paragraph stays the same and says your skills and what you have done to date. think of the second paragraph as your resume summarized
"While balancing a heavy course schedule and extracurricular activities, I have maintained a 3.8 GPA. Last summer, I interned at XXX, I did XX. You don't have to list everything, keep it short and sweet, but get the point across that you have "experience"
Third paragraph is the closing...please contact me at XX, thank you for time and consideration, ect.
Thank you. I personally think it is better to attach the resume in the first email because it saves time with out the trouble of having a long email back and forth. They look at the resume and see if they interested right away. As for the body, i usually stick to one paragraph: 2 sentences intro, 1 sentence reason for contact and 1 sentence asking for a chat or meeting. So far got about a 25% response rate.
http://www.joycemeng.com/joycemengresume.pdf
Dude this girl is the real deal. She easily blows off Jed Cairo or any other person.
You can always put a link to your LinkedIn in your email signature, and not attach the resume for the first email. This way they can look at your public profile, and its more subtle than attaching your resume.
If I get your email and it has your resume and I decide for any reason (you seem like a cocksucker, i'm in a bad mood etc...) that I want to fuck with you then I'm going to FWD your resume to someone at your current firm (assuming you're employed now) or I'm going to talk shit about you on this board and probably on dealbreaker too
Well then it would just stink for me wouldn't it? But since i have no idea of knowing you are an asshole, I will still send the resume.
In all seriousness, do you know ppl doing that?
Attaching Resume (Originally Posted: 04/23/2012)
When you are cold emailing a bank or person, is it generally acceptable to attach your resume on the first email? Or is considered better etiquette to introduce yourself and your proposition first, and then go from there?
Thanks Monkeys,
The consensus seems to be that you should NOT attach your resume. However, I'm wondering whether it is acceptable to do so if one really needs results quickly.
But generally, after one phone call, they will ask for your resume. I had a convo with an M&A boutique CEO this morning and he asked for my resume so that he can push it forward to his network of IB professionals.
They know why you are emailing them and asking for conversations. What you show by not sending your resume is that you're willing to put in the effort of calling and just talking and/or really want to work in e.g. IB because you're going out of your way to learn from professionals in the industry through phone calls.
However, I would like to see other peoples opinions on this because I myself am sort of a novice to all of this.
yeah. there is a low chance that he/she will reply so you might as well attach it. i was able to get a few interviews back when i was recruiting for SA through cold-emailing and attaching my resume on the first email, they neve
even if it just for networking or emailing an alumni for advice. I always attach my resume and mention it briefly in the email something like "btw i am attaching my resume for some additional background info..blah blah blah"
You can if your resume is good. You could just be another kid with no experience and no value to add, but if that one person happens to take a quick glance at your resume and sees potential, then you're gold.
Like oldmansacks said, just say you're attaching your resume for informational purposes or so they can see your background or whatever.
Yeah, I have considered both of these points and they are both plausible reasons. I am looking for a summer internship and hopefully quick results (it's May for fuck's sake), but I don't want to jump the gun and seem too forward. I do usually say that I am interested in a summer internship, but feel that attaching the resume right away is too "presumptious". But I am experiencing a lot of what oldmansacks said, a usual complete disregard for my emails by those I'm contacting.
That is another problem I experience, I am not a golden candidate on paper. However, I feel that my actual knowledge of finance/math etc., far exceeds what my resume indicates. I am a non target with two prior internships, and a 3.4 GPA. No insults please, but I've been receiving 3.8's since sophomore year and expect a 4.0 this semester. I just had a lousy first year of college and am tired of being perpetually punished for my lack of focus then.
doublepost
There is really no easy answer on this one. When I was "networking" (or what I thought was networking back in college), I would attach my resume and use the "I've attached my resume so you can get a better idea of my background." but that would be after I had expressed an interest in them and their path.
Looking back now, I probably would have left off the resume and instead thrown in 1-2 highlights that are relevant and then tried to follow up with a phone call. Usually if you're decent on the phone they would ask for the resume 50-70% of the time within 15 minutes.
Good Luck, Patrick
Thanks everyone and thanks Patrick. Very honored to be receiving tips from WSO himself. This sight has been a great help so far. I'll use all your tips to best gauge my cold emailing etiquette.
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