I am going to start mass mailing this week and I was wondering whether I should shoot for the HR office or using the alumni network (here, alumni network is not people I know intimately, but simply getting their info off the alumni directory) ... my undergraduate is pretty prestigious nationally - not an ivy, but a nationally ranked liberal arts college that is better than amherst - and has many partners/associates all over the V100 firms.
So, my question is should I contact these people who are willing enough to post their info on the alumni directory? And, if I do how should I approach them? I don't mind writing myriad of customized cover letters, and just want a job if my OCI is shit (15-20% in TT; WE in marketing; 5 languages fluent in reading and writing).
Plus, which is better physical or electronic?
I hope you the best in all your endeavors. and also may the force be with you.
Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions... Forum
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Anonymous User
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Anonymous User
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Re: Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions...
do people use undergraduate alumni networks for law school networking? I thought it was generally the law school alumni network that does the job. I went to one of the top public undergrads too but I figured that our undergrad alumnis couldn't really help if you went to a law school who's alumni network doesn't offer nearly as good of a "reach" or some type of a laterally equivalent prestige in the law school realm. Sorry, I only say this because this is my situation too and I assumed you were seeking undergrad alumni networks because your law school alumni networks weren't as strong?
Last edited by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
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kalvano
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Re: Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions...
What is with all the people lately asking about using physical mail? Do you also ride around in a horse-drawn buggy captained by an Englishman with a cap at a jaunty angle whose name is George?
It's preferable to use law school alumni for networking, but use what you've got.
You should email alumni at firms you are targeting first. Just introduce yourself and say you go to X school and you noticed they graduated from there and would they be willing to talk about the firm, life there, and hiring policies. If they say yes, email with them for a bit and if they think you've got a shot at the firm, they will likely offer to take your resume to the proper person themselves. If they don't offer, after a few emails, ask them who you should submit an application package to and that will hopefully kick in an offer to do something.
I did it a lot, and I found most people very friendly and willing to help.
It's preferable to use law school alumni for networking, but use what you've got.
You should email alumni at firms you are targeting first. Just introduce yourself and say you go to X school and you noticed they graduated from there and would they be willing to talk about the firm, life there, and hiring policies. If they say yes, email with them for a bit and if they think you've got a shot at the firm, they will likely offer to take your resume to the proper person themselves. If they don't offer, after a few emails, ask them who you should submit an application package to and that will hopefully kick in an offer to do something.
I did it a lot, and I found most people very friendly and willing to help.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions...
I am using my undergrad alumni network because it is actually stronger than my law school alumni network. I have actually talked to several undergrad alums at goodwin procter, dechert, wilerhale, and choate and they were more inclined to help me rather than their law school alums.
I am actually interning at a small firm and I got this job through an undergraduate alumni who graduated from Vandy law. He specifically told me that he feels more loyalty to undergradate than law school.
I think it really depends on your undergrad institute. we only had 500 per class and it was a private school with 200+ years of history. the alumni network is very solid and strong. but idk how to approach them.
I am actually interning at a small firm and I got this job through an undergraduate alumni who graduated from Vandy law. He specifically told me that he feels more loyalty to undergradate than law school.
I think it really depends on your undergrad institute. we only had 500 per class and it was a private school with 200+ years of history. the alumni network is very solid and strong. but idk how to approach them.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions...
Like the poster above I used my undergrad alumni network because it was much better. EVERY biglaw partner/associate etc that I emailed who went to my undergrad was happy to hear from me and responded favorably. Many offered to put in a good word for me.
This could vary a lot depending on your undergrad though. Also like the poster above I went to a small private liberal arts school with ~450 in each class. There is a very strong connection between alums. This might be different if I'd gone to a different/bigger school.
This could vary a lot depending on your undergrad though. Also like the poster above I went to a small private liberal arts school with ~450 in each class. There is a very strong connection between alums. This might be different if I'd gone to a different/bigger school.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions...
ah makes sense...I believe my school had several thousands in just our one class so the connections probably aren't as strong. However, this thread has given me motivation so thank y'all!
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Anonymous User
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Re: Mass Mailing - Using Alumni Network Questions...
well thank you for participating!Anonymous User wrote:ah makes sense...I believe my school had several thousands in just our one class so the connections probably aren't as strong. However, this thread has given me motivation so thank y'all!
