Hey guys, I've been wondering when it is okay to use contractions like "I'm", "I'll", etc. in introductory or networking emails. I'll be an intern at a BB this summer and have so far mostly avoided using contractions when networking (at least initially) to maintain formality, but I got a comment recently that it sounds weird/stuffy. What do you think? Can't find a lot of discussion on the topic.
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I'dn't've done it if I were you
Don't give in to grammar casuals. Never use contractions. Even one time and you can't undo the damage to your reputation.
cannot* ;)
Missed the joke, and the "Don't," friend
Knew a kid at Credit Suisse who did this as a first year right in the middle of PE recruiting. News spread like wildfire. He was out before bonuses with no offers. Last I heard he's working in community banking in Bozeman Montana.
I got FWDed that email. It spread from CS to MS in an hour, to Piper Jaffray in a day. Recruiters hit their desk the next morning with notifications to remove the guy from all job postings. EVEN PINPOINT PARTNERS HAS NEVER EMAILED THIS DUDE AGAIN EVEN SHITTY STARTUP RECRUITERS HAVE NOT SENT THIS GUY AN INMAIL EVER AGAIN
Edit: Got the joke...
honestly, no one cares. just make sure your emails are spelling/grammar error free
I avoid them to show I am a hardo who does not take any chances. Even avoiding them right now as I write this to once again show I am very serious about my work.
As long as you include "Sent from my iPhone" nobody is gonna care.
Do some people still have these signatures?
Dude, wtf? Everybody uses it.
Ahahah Or "Get Outlook for iOS"
i would rip the ' button out of your keyboard, just to the safe. pop the top off of the maybach, as they say
don't you dare recite the holy verse referring to any key besides F1, this is blasphemy
I personally lose any trust whatsoever in anyone who uses Im. He's dead to me. Also, I'm saying ''he'' because it's almost always guys who are lazy about grammar. Women tend to be a lot more accurate. Other than that, I don't care.
Cool story. When's your TedTalk?
After English 101, 102 and several BCOM classes teaching me how to formally write emails, the day to day correspondence with whomever is a complete bastardization of English Grammar. I blame chatrooms, FB, IG and texting for a get to the point as quickly as possible means of written communication.
The questions on this site are getting to be a bit much
OP, are you gonna start worrying about whether to use Arial or Calibri for your font? Or whether to go with size 10.5 or 10?
Fuck Calibri.
Totally off point, but god, it's the worst font ever. It makes me literally angry when I see it.
All about the flow and also context (i.e. asking for a coffee meeting vs. a pitch on an investment idea), plus not using too many. I'd throw in one or two, just to not sound like a robot, in emails, etc. Maybe leave the formality for cover letters, pitches, etc.
And for God's sake, use Arial or TNR.
Never have I seen anyone get this mad over a font lol.
Ew TNR. Maybe I dont like calibri in word files, but i love it for excel. Its so clean.
At least its not helvectica in a fucking model ill never understand those people. I value my eyesight
Why take the chance that someone might think it is too informal? There is no benefit from using contractions. It is not a big deal but I would not use them.
The benefit is keeping yourself from overthinking things and keeping things feeling conversational. You dont want them to feel like youre talking to a robot. Especially when in their last email to you they said ‘pls’
I don't get it. Your team, and presumably anyone you would reaching out to is executing large transactions with potentially billions of dollars on the line. At what point do you think your use of contractions would even register. Trust me - literally no one cares - and if they do you do not want to work for them anyway.
It registers when they use absolutely no contractions and its so wordy and I can tell theyre intentionally trying to sound more formal
lol what? sounds like you have issues bro
![https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/knicks-fan-during-he…]
Internal emails to people you've spoken to before or those of your level = contractions are fine Emailing internal seniors for the first time or external clients/vendors = no contractions
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