How are we supposed to address young alumni when we are reaching out to them? Sometimes I'm confused whether I should address them as Mr/Ms or just by their first name. It's just a little weird when they're only a couple of years older, so I was wondering what you guys think.
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First name if under 30. Use "Mr." or "Ms" if older than that at first if you want to be safe, but you will likely be told to use their first name.
I always start with mr/ms to start out with to just be courteous. They almost always say to call them by their first name but it's better to err on the side of caution.
Agreed, when in doubt always use Mr./Mrs. especially if you are asking them for advice.
Yes start off with Mr./Mrs. they usually won't hesitate to tell you if you can call them by their first name !
My rule - use first name if they are analyst, mr./ms. for associate +
For those who use Mrs.? Do you try to find out if they are married? Or do you just assume and say Mrs.? And if they are and you don't know, is using Ms. awkward?
Ms is used regardless of marital status... Miss is for non-married people.
I always use Ms as a default... can't offend anyone that way
As to the original question, start out with Mr/Ms in the initial e-mail and you can probably go with first name after that.
These questions are so god damn ridiculous.. Wtf do you think? Should I be smart and mr/ms just to be safe in case the person is a power tripping dickhead?!?! Nah fuck that I'll just call them by their first name cuz I like taking risks.. So tired of it
Mrs. = married (don't use) Miss = unmarried (don't use) Ms. = could be either (use)
I just called them by their first name. Who in the world uses Mr./Mrs. unless they are senior status. Mr./Mrs. just makes a person feel so old.
Honestly - you can use their first name. We're all used to the Mr/Mrs from our teachers in school but in the real world, no one bothers with this stuff in the US.
Could be the biggest generalization I've heard in awhile. What "real world" specifically do you operate in? Apparently one where being courteous and respectable are not an expectation.
always address someone using the prefix mr/ms/mrs until they begin signing emails/letters with only their first name or if they tell you to address them by their first name. do everything you can to make a great first impression even if it means feeling awkward by being a little bit formal.
+1, that is exactly right.
I always used their first name and never had a problem with it. You are both adults, if they get pissed you didn't address them as Mr./Ms. they probably wouldn't have helped out anyways.
save
i always went straight with first names, but mr./ms. is prob not a bad way to play it
Be creative and attach a picture of your balls when you email them for the 1st time. Sign the email Mr. Balls McGee.
HEY! You leave happy's cousin out of this mess sir!
Hahaha
This is such a joke... these people are going to be your colleagues. They don't give a second thought to how you address them, or whether or not you used a prefix. Address them by their first name, it shows confidence and an air that you will be collegial. I can't tell you how many of my colleagues get emails addressed to Mr./Ms. and they find it quite annoying (I know I do). Even my boss finds it annoying and says it just sounds weird... Take whatever advice you will, but if someone writes you off because you don't address them by their prefix they are not the type of person you want to work for. These are the types of questions that people with jobs actually laugh about, just knowing that potential candidates are obsessing over.
100% agree and stand by what I said. Go ahead and address a second year analyst as "Mr" - their first impression of you will be "tool," and that's what you'll be working uphill against.
this thread truly shows you how many people have actually worked in the industry and who is actually a student...
those advocating Mr./Ms. = clueless students
good litmus test SB to thread creator
agreed
I like to use 'my liege'.
Yeah this is pretty absurd- I always use first name. Show them what's up right away.
Awkward to network with YOUNGER people? (Originally Posted: 08/08/2011)
How weird is it for ’09 grads working in non-IB finance to email/linkedin younger people (2010 and 2011 grads working as IB analysts) to network or seek advice on banking. Assume they share a commonality/group, but one not quite as strong as being alumni of the same school.
Who gives a shit. Swallow your pride.
I've networked with a kid who graduate from the same high school I did, two years after I graduated. It's only weird/awkward if you make it. Just do it.
In my opinion, analysts and associates are the best people to network with, especially in small, regional boutique firms. They know the drill, i.e. what you're looking to get at by networking. You can actually have "normal" conversations with them and as long as you come off as likeable, they'll go to bat for you.
Networking with someone younger. (Originally Posted: 06/08/2012)
I would like to hear the older people, especially those from the MBA or MSF class comment on this.
At campus talks, you might be networking with someone in a job position that you want to join. Lets take for example, you are an MBA student in your 30s, trying to network your way in to an Investment Banking Job. The bank may give a standard presentation at campus, followed by networking over some finger food.
You then bump into an Investment Banking Associate, who is like a few years younger than you. He does not have an MBA but basically joined straight into Investment Banking after undergrad. Will you feel strange talking to him and networking with him, asking someone younger for advice? And to the extent of asking him out for an external session of informational interview at his free time?
This is because all the while, we have been assuming networking to be with someone older and more experienced to get a job. How would you feel if you were to network with someone younger but has more relevant experience than you?
Can you do the job? Who cares how old the dude is. Do you feel weird banging a younger chick?
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