Cold emailing etiquette

At what level of seniority do you use Mr/Mrs. instead of first names for a cold email? Strictly wondering for the first point of contact, I usually address them as whatever they sign off as after regardless of seniority.

Also, should you be explicit when asking for a call OR coffee? Or let them choose? How should it be phrased?

7 Comments
 
Best Response

I'd ask for a call first, and if they really like you and you feel the call went well then maybe bring up meeting for coffee. A lot more people are willing to get on the phone over meeting with a stranger.

Also, dont call anyone Mr/Mrs. You're an adult, not a child. Funny story, I actually used to think like you and call people by Mr/Mrs and one day I decide to cold email an alumni. I looked that person up on Linkedin and I couldn't find a picture or anything indicating their gender. The person had a guys name, let's assume it was Jordan or something, so I think "Yea this is obviously a guy." I email them using "Mr" and they reply, they set up a call and everything, I'm fucking pumped. The day of the call comes and I get on the phone to hear it was a Mrs and not a Mr. Who the fuck names their daughter Jordan!? (I've only seen Jordyn or Jordin). All in all, I never addressed that I called her a dude, she mentioned it happens all the time, it was an okay call and she looked at my resume and gave me some pointers. Moral of the story: call people by their first name and avoid situations like this.

 

It seems as though we've firmly established to address people by their first name. As an adendum to using the first name in an email, always remain professional - cordial - and brief when writing the context of the email. Some students try to be overly "Buddy buddy," or write an exposé on their life story. Neither approach works with high success.

4-5 sentences tops. Ask first for a call, and on the call (if you're reading the situation correctly) ask if you can meet for coffee.

Example phrasing: "I'm highly interested in applying to [insert firm], and would love to jump on a quick call to hear about your experience working there?"

"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about [x, y, and z]. If I come up with any additional questions would you mind if I reached back out? (affirmative response) Thank you again. I'm also about 15min away from the downtown office, if you're free one morning I'd love to buy you a cup of coffee?"

"A man can convince anyone he's somebody else, but never himself."
 

Sint dolorem numquam at qui ut voluptatem dignissimos. Est debitis non laborum. Odit aliquam non quo qui illo dolorum. Quia aliquam vel voluptates atque nesciunt recusandae. Distinctio necessitatibus nulla corporis voluptas et excepturi tenetur. Rerum ut ipsa rerum rerum qui quia dolor tempora. Veniam officia et enim placeat recusandae hic.

Sunt porro est quod mollitia culpa. Dicta itaque est delectus fuga magnam non. Quia error ut quia animi nemo expedita. Voluptatem illum et quia qui nobis eum placeat et.

Facere voluptate repudiandae repellendus reiciendis culpa. Sed debitis et quis reiciendis consequuntur. Facilis cum facilis natus nemo consequatur autem placeat. Qui debitis et sed quasi enim esse.

Accusantium beatae totam sit aut. Est quidem illum ipsum sunt autem. Dolores ullam rerum consequatur et facilis fuga. Sed vel autem minima ut consequuntur consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”