Look up your school and pick your class year. You get the dates your school's top banks, consulting firms and PE firms open for your class, the alumni who work there, and a first email to send one of them. Free, no account.
Write down the role, location, and kind of firm you want to understand. An analyst in a regional office may have a different recruiting experience from someone in another country or business. Use conversations to test your assumptions about the work.
Start with a manageable list you can research individually. A shared school is one connection; a similar major, previous employer, or career transition can also give you a specific reason to reach out.
Send an introduction with one clear request
Introduce yourself, explain why you chose this person, and ask whether they would be open to a 15-minute conversation. Use a genuine detail from their public professional background. Do not imply that you know them or have a referral if you do not.
Networking complements applications. A conversation does not guarantee an interview or remove eligibility requirements. If a suitable role is open, apply through the employer portal without waiting for a reply.
Turn the conversation into a next step
Prepare three questions about their experience and the skills their work requires. End on time and ask what you should learn next. Send a thank-you that names a useful takeaway, then record the action you agreed to take.
During your weekly review, ask which conversations improved your understanding, which tasks you completed, and which applications need attention. Reply counts alone do not tell you whether your recruiting plan is working.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need alumni at my target bank?
No. Alumni provide a natural introduction, but shared experience and a thoughtful question can also be a reason to contact someone.
Sources and editorial notes
Templates and workflow suggestions are original Paperclip examples. They do not promise replies or job offers. Employer requirements can change; check the current posting before applying.
Paperclip sends this kind of email for you: short, personal notes to verified analysts and associates, from your own inbox every weekday, with follow-ups that stop when they reply.
Students using Paperclip have heard back from McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Rothschild & Co, Oliver Wyman and 66 more firms: 84 replies so far. See what they wrote