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Is it best to cold e-mail alums to meet and chat AFTER you've sent in all your materials (for resume collect and mass mailing apps) to the recruiting contact so that it gets to the top of the pile, or BEFORE I've sent in any materials so I can put in a 1-liner in my cover letter discussing how i've reached out to an alum at the firm and found the firm to be a perfect fit, etc.?

Thanks a ton.

anyone?

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I've asked a bunch of people this same question and received different answers. The way that felt most comfortable for me was sending the CL, then e-mailing the alum something like "I just sent in an app at your firm and while I was browsing firm's website, came across your bio, can I ask you some qs about firm/your career?" Hiding the fact that you're looking for a jerb seems stupid to me. Partners have been around long enough to know how the game is played. Trying to be all covert and slimy about it seems like a bigger turnoff than bringing it up in a tactful way (like above).

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I'm not saying you should e-mail them "HEY NEED A JOB," but what good does it do to not mention the fact that you applied at the alum's firm? Also:

ajax adonis wrote:You can ask them if they know any friends or places that are hiring

lol @ that. Do you walk up to a chick at a bar and try to get in bed with her by asking if any of her friends are easy? If you actually want to work for the alum's firm, don't ask him if he knows of any firms that are hiring; ask him if he knows any other good lawyers in your field of interest who could also give you some career advice.