Why can't I get a job? Recent Grad, 3.7 GPA, Good Exp, Year and a half of searching..

[11Blade]

Quote from INeedAJob:

I have an economics degree from Stony Brook University with a 3.72 GPA.
Will someone tell me where they are hiding the job listings that actually call you in for interviews so I can show how good I really am?

1. if you are not geographically restricted (i.e. single) - move... move to where the job is at.

2. auto-firing resumes no longer works any more. you probably know this. I have close to 500 resumes for one position in my enterprise. I spent less than 10 seconds per resume. I did however call my old professors to point me to their brightest graduates.

3. experience - the catch-22. All I can say is that unless you are driving a cab at night to pay your bills and looking for a job during the day.. go work for a non-profit even if its for food stamps. You need to do real world work and be in contact with real-world business people. If you have a neighborhood soup-kitchen, devote some time to helping them book-keep, ladle some soup and revamp their back-office. As a matter of policy - we ask everyone that works for us to devote some time
to a charitable cause. It makes you a better person, gives you a glimpse of the other side and you will get some great experience on producing something on razor-thin budgets.

good luck, its tough out there, but you are young, smart and hopefully driven.

 

[bwolinsky]

When was the last time the OP posted? My advice is still the same. Pass Level I of the CFA Exam, pass the first CPA exam, or pass the first actuarial exam. These are all virtual guarantees to get any interview in modern finance and do not require any sponsorship.

 

[l2tradr]

Quote from bwolinsky:

When was the last time the OP posted? My advice is still the same. Pass Level I of the CFA Exam, pass the first CPA exam, or pass the first actuarial exam. These are all virtual guarantees to get any interview in modern finance and do not require any sponsorship.

Ditto on the CFA. Pass level 1 and have "enrolled in level 2" on your CV and you'll get some calls.

 

[bwolinsky]

Quote from l2tradr:

Ditto on the CFA. Pass level 1 and have "enrolled in level 2" on your CV and you'll get some calls.

It was instant for me. I haven't been denied an interview for investment advisory, research analyst, or portfolio management positions that I've applied to. I will say I keep getting passed up for Wall Street Veterans that happen to be relocating to KCMO and KCK or Overland Park, KS.

 

[l2tradr]

Quote from bwolinsky:

It was instant for me. I haven't been denied an interview for investment advisory, research analyst, or portfolio management positions that I've applied to. I will say I keep getting passed up for Wall Street Veterans.

Definitely not a guarantee, but it opens so many doors. Of course, in an environment where many experienced guys are looking for work is much tougher, but a CFA -even incomplete- shows determination, eagerness to learn and commitment IMO. Of course, experience and contacts help the most, but don't discount higher education. Too many people that I see on these boards tend to think that just because a Bill Gates doesn't have a degree, a Comp Sci degree is worthless

 

[MaklodaSux]

If you're still out there OP my advice is find something that's in demand; medical, engineering, teaching, accounting are always good bets.

 

[dealmaker]

Instead of CFA get your Risk Management Certification from PRMIA and you will almost be assured a job.

 

[MaklodaSux]

Quote from 11Blade:


2. auto-firing resumes no longer works any more. you probably know this. I have close to 500 resumes for one position in my enterprise. I spent less than 10 seconds per resume. I did however call my old professors to point me to their brightest graduates.

Somewhat true, it's tough getting past HR and staffing. It does happen though, I've gotten quite a few offers this way. I wouldn't give it up, that does zero good.

 

[Mayhem]

Hi, occasional lurker, first time poster.

I have read many pages of this thread, and wanted to make a suggestion to the job seeker...

Maybe you should look into a career in marketing analytics. Basically, applying econometrics, regression analysis and non-linear data transformations to explain and predict sales performance and marketing ROI.

In order to advance beyond being a data jockey in such a career, you're still going to need communication skills.

I know of such a company in the NY Metro area that is currently hiring. It is called Analytic Partners, and the url is www.analyticpartners.com

I am not an employee of that company... just know about it. Hope that helps someone out there.

 

[Mayhem]

Quote from Mayhem:

Hi, occasional lurker, first time poster.

I have read many pages of this thread, and wanted to make a suggestion to the job seeker...

Maybe you should look into a career in marketing analytics. Basically, applying econometrics, regression analysis and non-linear data transformations to explain and predict sales performance and marketing ROI.

In order to advance beyond being a data jockey in such a career, you're still going to need communication skills.

I know of such a company in the NY Metro area that is currently hiring. It is called Analytic Partners, and the url is www.analyticpartners.com

I am not an employee of that company... just know about it. Hope that helps someone out there.

Now that I look at their site, it seems like there is a lot there. My thinking was that this area, marketing mix modeling, might be right for you:

http://www.analyticpartners.com/services/marketing-mix-modeling/

Again, I am not an employee, so I can't help you get your foot in the door or anything like that. But, just thought I would throw it out there.