i’ve been trying to network for a summer internship in IB, and honestly, the hardest part isn’t finding names or getting emails—it’s crafting a message that doesn’t feel generic. i’ve sent maybe 15 emails so far, and i’ve gotten two responses. both were lukewarm. i started tracking what seemed to work: the ones where i mentioned something specific about their recent deals or a comment they made at a recruiting event got slightly better engagement. but i’m wondering if there’s a real framework here that goes beyond just “be specific and brief.” like, what actually makes a recruiter or alum decide to grab coffee with you instead of deleting your email? is it purely about how you frame your ask, or does timing matter? what’s the actual psychology behind why some cold messages land and others disappear?
lol, real talk? most recruiters don’t even read cold emails. they’re looking for signals—did you go to a target school, do you know someone, or did your parents donate to the building? specificity helps, sure, but don’t fool yourself into thinking a well-crafted message beats relationships. that said, if you must cold email, reference their actual work, not generic stuff. timing matters less than you think. send it tuesday morning and move on.
the psychology you’re asking about? it’s simple—reciprocity and scarcity. show them you’ve done homework and imply other people are also interested, and suddenly you’re not just another analyst wannabe. but honestly, you’re probably better off asking your professors or classmates for intros. cold emails are a numbers game with bad odds.
omg two responses is actually rly good for cold outreach! ive heard some ppl only get like one response per 50 emails lol. maybe try personalizing even more? like mentioning a specific deal they worked on? idk if that helps but seems worth testing
have u tried followups? my brother said a polite second email after a week worked for him. not pushy tho, just like a gentle reminder
The framework you’re looking for does exist, but it’s more nuanced than a template. What separates effective outreach from noise is demonstrating three things: first, genuine familiarity with their work or the firm’s recent activity; second, clarity about why you’re reaching out to them specifically, not just any banker; third, an ask that’s reasonable and respects their time. The psychology isn’t manipulation—it’s showing that you’ve done your homework and that a conversation benefits both of you. Timing matters subtly: Tuesday through Thursday, 9-11 AM, tend to see higher open rates. But the real insight is follow-up. Two or three thoughtful follow-ups spaced weeks apart often outperform the initial email.
I’d also emphasize that cold emails are just one vector. The highest conversion rates come from warm introductions through alumni networks or professors. However, if you’re working with limited existing relationships, the psychology of cold outreach hinges on standing out by being specific and concise. Recruiters receive hundreds of these emails weekly. You’re competing for cognitive real estate. Your email should answer: Who are you, why are you writing to me specifically, and what do you want? If you can answer that in three sentences, you’ll outperform ninety percent of other cold outreach.
Two responses is seriously a win! Keep going—you’re clearly doing something right. Personalization is your secret weapon, so keep leaning into it. You’ve got this!
The fact that you’re tracking what works shows you’re thinking strategically. That mentality alone puts you ahead. Keep refining and believing in yourself!
Every “no” or silence is just clearing the path to a “yes.” You’re building momentum. Stay positive and keep pushing forward!
I remember struggling with this exact problem last year. I sent like 30 emails before things clicked. What changed was when I started mentioning events I’d actually attended where they were speaking—even if I just watched the video later. One guy responded because I asked a thoughtful question about a panel he was on. Turns out he’d never gotten an email like that before. Sometimes it’s just about showing up differently, you know? Everyone’s trying to be clever; just be genuine.
From a conversion perspective, tracking which messages convert to actual meetings is more valuable than tracking initial responses. If you’re getting responses but few meetings, the issue may be your ask clarity or value proposition rather than the outreach message itself. Consider logging response type, time-to-response, and conversion-to-meeting rate alongside your outreach variables to isolate what’s actually driving results.