if you pass level 2 cfa... you are clear cut above plain ivy league grads. emphasize CFA LEVEL lll candidate and keep stoney brook at the bottom in really small print
The w-2 society of finding a job and having a nice stable career is over. (Except for government or union employees...) This months issue of Inc magazine has their annual list of 500 fastest growing companies. Look through the list, try to get on board a segment that is growing. See if something is exciting to you and you would not mind spending 5 years or so working on. If you are still looking for a job after 18 months you need to change the way you are approaching the problem... Good luck
The more I have been thinking about it, the more I really do not want to go back to school. I want to work. I need to be productive and then maybe go back to school some time in the future. It is just frustration from being unable to find a position that has me thinking about going back to school. I will most likely purse a CFA, but as it will take years I need to work concurrently. The walking through the door, trying to get face time, simply does not work, as stated before. Ability to pick up and speak a new language has never been my strong suit, unless itâs a programming language. Relocation out of the country is not a realistic option unless I could speak English. I really want to stay in something finance/technical related as that is what I enjoy, am good at and have experience with. I know that all the good positions are going to the Ivy leaguers, but what can someone in my position do to get in the door anywhere? I am willing to relocate, and have been applying to positions across the country with the same lack of success, although 90% of my applications have been in the greater New York area. I have no problem with the idea suggested of working for free or getting an internship. I am confident I would get hired on full time. I am however a 25 year old graduate nearly 2 years out of college, I would think I have little chance next to a current student. I did apply to many summer training programs at the big banks, never heard from any of them. There has got to be some industry in a US/English speaking location that needs college educated, technically oriented people who are not Ivy leaguers. All the top non-financial companies seem to be only looking for engineering degrees.
I believe there are, but you need to start at the bottom and be willing to do the crap work. If you don't want to go back to school, you should try to get into retail with a large company even if it's part time. Maybe you can go work at a bank as a teller. Perhaps one day you'll be the bank manager.
Trading is fantastic really. Some never make it but those who do make more than Doctors /Lawyers combined... whatever you do you should also learn to trade on the side... I read "The Millionaire Next Door" years ago.. it was a best seller... it was a research piece that somebody did because they found a well defined segment of the US culture that had a lot of money but could not be sold investments... they wanted to find out what makes these people tick... The author found out that they did their own investing, pure and simple.. I suspect that many were traders more than investors.. most were self employed but I suspect that the trading and their businesses went hand in hand to help them finance the business and weather the bad times... it's a great read... most non-fiction bestsellers are....
Doubt it. More than likely, they were small business owners or real estate investors. Traditional small business owners or even real estate investors (land lords) will have an easier time turning a profit than a trader ever will. As a trader, you're up against some of the brightest minds on planet, but a small business owner can always find a niche.
Think of the reasons why it is not working. Let me give you a good example. There are guys that every time they walk into a bar, they come out with a number or even walk out with the girl. Then there are guys that anytime they walk into a bar, any bar, it doesnt matter, they walk out with empty hands. There is usually a difference that is obvious between the two guys and that is in approach and presentation. Its in the words and the body language. Its the charisma. Its the same way with finding employment. Your approach and presentation is key. Work on that and you will go far. Read, reflect and rehearse. This is my last words in this thread on this. Take it for what its worth.
can there be any more appropriate advice than advice which comes from a slacker? the advice is worthwhile.
If I were looking I would get the events calendar for your nearest big city. Here is this month's calendar for Silicon Valley: http://calendars.techvenue.com/cgi-bin/techvenue.pl?CalendarName=USValley Every day you can attend two events and meet as many people as possible. The Bay area has about 5 full calendars to pick from, there is no way to attend everything in a large city. Have a simple business card with your email, cell phone, and LinkedIn.com profile. You could get creative with the cards - some ideas http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/05/100-really-creative-business-cards/ Goal is to get 10 business cards a day and make sure they will remember your name. Send a resume to each of the 10 business cards and follow up with a phone call in 3 days.... If they do not know of a position ask for a name and number of someone who might know of a position.... "Grin and Greet" all day - it really sucks at first and then you start to get good at it. ((I was not always a slacker - it is just something I am trying to get better at!!! )) Good luck!
((I was not always a slacker - it is just something I am trying to get better at!!! )) a very noble cause indeed. perhaps the movie the slacker can help improve your skills.