Cold email, do I attach a resume? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm trying to network with a couple of alums.

Should I attach my resume to the email?

[Bluem_11]

I think different attorneys will feel a certain way about it.

Some I talk to feel you should develop a connection first before dropping your CV.

Personally, I prefer it. I know young student from my LS is not contacting me to know how I'm doing or ask what I like about my job. I prefer to just get to the point and see if you pass our numbers test before I waste my time talking to you.

[Roy McAvoy]

Are you inquiring about a job? Then yes.

If you're asking to meet for coffee or similar, no. Once (if) they agree, then you attach and say something along the lines of "I've attached a copy of my resume so you have a little more background info on me. I'm looking forward to meeting you blah blah." This has always been my approach and has worked fairly well but YMMV.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 3L who has a job, interested in a very unique practice group.

Does this matter any?

[lolwat]

All YMMV I would guess. Personally I would probably prefer a student attach a resume when contacting me. I'm always happy to help but I find the conversation always goes like: "Hey, contacting you because xxxxx, would like to speak with you about your practice/working in yyyy market/whatever else, do you have time to talk over coffee/lunch/whatever" and my response always includes a line basically asking them to attach their resume so I can provide more tailored advice. (Then again, maybe that's how the conversation should go, and maybe I'd feel less inclined to help if they just attached a resume in the initial e-mail. Who knows.)

[rpupkin]

Are you inquiring about a job? Then yes.

If you're asking to meet for coffee or similar, no. Once (if) they agree, then you attach and say something along the lines of "I've attached a copy of my resume so you have a little more background info on me. I'm looking forward to meeting you blah blah." This has always been my approach and has worked fairly well but YMMV.

Agree with this approach.

[nealric]

I'm trying to network with a couple of alums.

Should I attach my resume to the email?

If you are just trying to make contact, no- it's too forward. Ask to chat, and if that goes well, then send your resume. Generally speaking, I will always talk with someone who contacts me just wanting to learn about my practice - even if I know they are angling for a job. But resume spam generally gets ignored.