Networking with young alumni: How are you supposed to address them?

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.

35 Comments
 
Dubsfan7I 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.

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 
HireUp212Honestly - 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.

 
Best Response

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.

 

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.

 

Be creative and attach a picture of your balls when you email them for the 1st time. Sign the email Mr. Balls McGee.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
heisterBe 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!

“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 
Nouveau Richie
heisterBe 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

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

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.

 
rufioloveThis 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.

 
rufioloveThis 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.
 

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

 

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