Win Finance Contacts Faster

This conversation was generated using Cook'd AI's career assistant and reviewed by Fallon Han from our editorial team for accuracy.

I want to build a finance network, but I do not know where to start finding the right contacts. Who should I reach out to first?

Start with warm, low-friction targets. Build three lists: classmates and alumni in finance, people one or two steps ahead of you at firms you like, and operators who work in adjacent teams like research, FP and advisory. Prioritize people who share a school, past employer, certification, or city because your odds of a reply go up. Aim for 15 to 20 names, then sort them by relevance and ease of access. Your first ask should be simple: a short intro call or advice on how they broke in.

How do I write the first message without sounding generic or needy?

Use a tight structure: who you are, why them, one specific ask, and an easy exit. Keep it under 80 words. Example: 'Hi [Name], I am a student exploring finance and noticed your path through [firm or role]. I am trying to learn how people build experience in this space. Would you be open to a 15 minute call sometime next week? If not, I would still appreciate any advice by message.' Make it specific to their background so it feels researched, not mass sent.

What if they do not reply? I do not want to spam people.

Send one polite follow-up after 5 to 7 business days, then stop. Make it lighter and add value. Example: 'Hi [Name], just bumping this once in case it got buried. I am still hoping to learn from your path into [area]. If a call is not possible, I would be grateful for any one piece of advice you think would help a student break in.' If there is still no reply, move on. Track responses so you do not double message anyone.

If someone says yes, how should I run the conversation so it actually helps me?

Have a clear agenda and keep it under 20 minutes. Ask about their path, what skills mattered most, what they would do differently, and whether they can suggest one other person to speak with. End with a specific next step, like sending a short thank you and a quick update later. Example close: 'This was really helpful. Would you mind if I kept you posted as I work on these skills?' That keeps the relationship alive without asking for too much.

Can you give me a better outreach example for someone in investment banking who I found through an alumni directory?

Sure. Try this: 'Hi [Name], I am a student at [School] and saw that you work in investment banking after also attending [School]. I am learning how to prepare for the recruiting process and would love to hear what helped you most early on. If you have 15 minutes for a quick call, I would really appreciate it. Thank you either way.' This works because it uses a shared connection, names a concrete topic, and respects their time.