How to Contact a Boutique Investment Bank

<p>I am trying to find an analyst/intern position at a investment boutique bank this fall/spring in Austin. I have a 4.0 GPA, am a rising sophomore/junior (I have enough credits to classify myself as a junior, but am in my 2nd year), and go to UT Austin. I've already tried emailing several boutqiues in the area, looking for any kind of position, but I haven't gotten any responses. What would be the best way to go about looking for a position during the fall/spring? And should I classify myself as a sophomore or junior, or does it have any effect on how boutiques look at me? And what should I say to the boutiques?</p>

<p>Thanks ahead of time for any help...</p>

<p>Anybody have any ideas?</p>

<p>Are you on Doostang? Second, are you in BHP? Third, have you interned previously? Fourth, by "in the area" do you mean around Austin/Houston/Dallas? Fifth, why not try for NYC? Sixth, I still am unclear whether you are entering your second year or finishing your second year.</p>

<p>Yes, I'm on Doostang, but I haven't seen anything on it for banking internships during the fall/spring.</p>

<p>No, I am not in BHP, I'm just a regular finance major.</p>

<p>No previous internship, but I did previously work as a salesman.</p>

<p>By Austin, I literally mean Austin, not the surrounding area. I'm looking for something during the school year (fall/spring).</p>

<p>I would try NYC, but, again, I'm looking for something while I'm going to school.</p>

<p>Lastly, I have enough credits to be classified as a junior (UTexas requires 60+ credits to have Junior standing, i have 62 hours), but I'm entering my second year of college. I assume that being classified a junior would be more respectable to boutiques than being a sophomore (more maturity, experience, etc.)</p>

<p>Are you planning on applying for summer positions?</p>

<p>Have you FOUND any firms in the city? Yeah, junior standing does make you more appealing especially with that beautiful GPA. </p>

<p>Are you doing anything related this summer?</p>

<p>Lol no, nothing for my summer. I'm applying next summer for junior SA positions, but I just wanted to build up my resume by getting some boutique exp. during the school year.</p>

<p>Edit: I've found a couple of boutiques in Austin, and emailed most of them, but no response. Basically, in the email, I just said that I was a soph at UT majoring in finance, looking to get exp. in banking, then I asked if there were any positions available, and if there were, or if they had any further questions, feel free to contact me.</p>

<p>No response, which means I must be doing something wrong.</p>

<p>It depends really how you write to them. Given that UT Austin is huge, I'm sure all of the boutique banks get letters written to them by many students like you. You need to either need to network and find someone senior in the bank, or make a stunning cover letter to make you standout.</p>

<p>You asked for positions or internships? Also, play up your 4.0 finance major (with that many credits, it's a rare status). </p>

<p>Get more aggressive in your targeting. GO visit these places!</p>

<p>Yeah, I think I'm going to visit a bunch of boutiques come August. I'll be sure to bring my resume and note that I'm a 4.0 Jr. student. Is it hard to get a position in finance as a junor during the school year in a non-banking city, such as Austin?</p>

<p>Only if the banks are not in the hiring mood...</p>