Sending resume/asking for an internship too aggressive for first email?
At this point just testing my luck, but currently in freshman year and hoping to find a boutique w/ an unstructured recruiting process but more so preparing for next year.
When reaching out to an alumni or just cold emailing an employee at a firm, would you ever straight up ask for an internship/potential opening or attaching your resume to the first email similar to the M&I cover letter template? What about mentioning that I'm willing to do unpaid work?
I've read both success stories and complete flops, but interested in WSO's thoughts.
I got mixed responses from it. Most didn't reply at all, got a handful of interviews and and set up several informational interviews too. As you're a freshman, I'd pursue the informational interview route. If you impress them then it'll make it easier, many may straight out dismiss the thought of taking on a freshman.
I've tried it, or a similiar forward approach. It's a hit or miss. Some of the real type A people can like it but generally I think the reaction will go the other way as too aggressive.
Volume is what counts the most. In my experience, the firms most interested always emailed back asking for a resume. So it saves them time if you just attach it initially.
Is this email title too aggressive "Working in the xx group at xx firm"? (Originally Posted: 05/12/2013)
As a background, these are all very cold emails. i am a nontarget with barely any alumni. I have gotten a 30% response rate, which I am surprised by (i thought it would be lower). I know title can be a huge factor in whether or not someone even opens the email.
I do my best to specify group so it seems like I at least did some digging.
In the email i mention i am interested in the firm and would like to learn more about them and the group. This is for Ft btw.
I feel like asking for an "informational interview" just seems weird, but I see a lot of threads suggesting that. So would "XX university Student Seeking Informational Interview" be better?
tl;dr....would you think this title is too aggressive?
I think it's fine. Response rate is all that matters. If you've gotten 30% response rate and they've been positive I'd stick with it. The other option you mentioned sounds too coy. Grab the bull by the horns dude. :)
gotcha, thanks.
Do you all get annoyed when kids ask for an "informational interview"? For some reason that term just annoys me and I don't like using it.
i personally don't mind directness in emails. we all know why you're reaching out it's more annoying to get emails that dance around the point. i would structure you're email in this format:
1) 1 sentence intro- my name is x and i graduated from x with x gpa. 2) goal- would like to work in investment banking etc. 3) offer- this is what i can offer as an analyst, etc. - modeling - pitchbook - postitive attitude 4) flatter- understand your firm to be an industry leader hence my interest 5) conclude- appreciate the time for an informational interview to learn about your business and potential internship/job prospects
I have also been sending out a lot of cold emails lately and Ive gotten pretty good response rates,similar to yours. I actually had lower response rates using "student seeking advice" or "student reaching out" than I did with "potential internship opportunity". I sent out around 15 emails to regional boutiques with the latter subject line and got 3 interviews immediately through it. They also know exactly what im looking for and theres no dancing around the point, the past month or so ive been setting up "informational interviews" only to talk to an analyst/associate for 30-40 minutes and ending things with them saying their internships are full and to keep in touch. My new approach has been sending the email directly to the MD and I have had a good response rate, like I said 3/15 on interviews and probably 5 responded saying they were full/dont take interns. One MD actually said they filled their SA class but wants to talk to discuss FT opportunities in the near future.
In my emails I always made sure to keep it very brief. 3 paragraphs with about 2-3 sentences. They dont want to read a novel about your qualifications, just enough to show your interested and legit. If you have a good GPA(I dont), I would list it and give a short description of your prior internships and why you want to work at that firm/group. Also, I havent had too much trouble with the whole copy/paste thing but I suppose you would have a higher success rate if you tailored these emails a little more than I did. Ive been told by many alumni not to attach your resume unless they ask, but if yours is good enough its something to consider.
I know that my situation is a little different than yours, FT vs. SA, no-name boutique vs. BB, but I think the point is that lets be real these people know what you want and sometimes you just need to get to the point and show them that you are interested and qualified enough for a few minutes of their time. Thats all you need then you can sell yourself hard on the phone, the hardest part is convincing them your worth their time.
alright, well I have been doing pretty much what banker mentioned, so I will continue. So far I haven't gotten any negative messages, so that's good haha
All my emails were typically titled "Fellow Blahblah Univ Alum" and got an excellent response rate despite not all being positive. If they weren't a fellow alum, odds are they knew someone I knew so I put "Referral: blahblah"
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