How I Landed My First Gig on Wall Street
Many years ago I left Graduate School in an un-related field and was working in the retail fashion industry. After having trouble making ends meet I decided to get into the financial business (I made the decision while sitting on the sidewalk after a motorcycle accident). I began emailing, faxing, and mailing my resume (without anything remotely financial on it) to various firms.
One day it dawned on me that this was ridiculous, that I'd never get a job in this industry this way. I put on my suit and hit the pavement. I showed up un-announced, resume in hand, and requested to speak to the most senior person in whatever office I went to. Everyone I encountered thought I was nuts.
Until one day, on a normal Thursday afternoon I was in the right place at the right time. The Managing Director came out to meet me (apparently there was a mis-communication and the MD thought I was someone important or an appointment that they were expecting). The MD looked at me and said, "You know people really don't do it this way. Most people don't show up like this". Almost without consciously aware of it I replied, "With all due respect, that's the problem with most people - they don't show up".
The MD was shocked, then looked at me from head to toe in what appeared to be anger and disgust. Then they said, "Okay, come into my office let's talk". I knew at that moment I had it. We hit it off. It took another 3 months of constant interviewing because the MD did not know what to do with me, I believe they struggled on whether to hire me or not. It was all very un-orthodox to say the least. The MD essentially worked with HR and directed them to have me meet and interview with specific people (all higher-ups) to get 2nd opinions and feedback. I got a call late one night from that MD on their cell phone and they made an offer. The rest is history.
Don't ever let people tell you what you can or cannot do. Show up. Show up in the biggest and best way that you can. Be yourself. Work harder than your peers. Visualize where you are going and eventually it becomes reality. Go set monumental goals for yourself and then work backwards to find out what you need to do on a daily basis to achieve greatness. What are you waiting for? Go do it.






Huge balls. Don't know if I
Huge balls. Don't know if I have the confidence (see previous sentence) to do that. /burned myself.
"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
That is absurd and yet
That is absurd and yet awesome at the same time, I can honestly say I have never heard or read a story similar to yours. What kind of finance do you work in/does the firm you are talking about work in?
why did the MD look at you
why did the MD look at you with anger or disgust when you said most people don't show up?
jbennett34: That is absurd
That is absurd and yet awesome at the same time, I can honestly say I have never heard or read a story similar to yours. What kind of finance do you work in/does the firm you are talking about work in?
Also curious. You mind sharing the name of the firm?
That's ballsy. I felt like
That's ballsy. I felt like that could have gone either way. Good on you, man.
J-CFP: The MD looked at me
The MD looked at me and said, "You know people really don't do it this way. Most people don't show up like this". Almost without consciously aware of it I replied, "With all due respect, that's the problem with most people - they don't show up".
BOSS! Well played sir. (Would +1 if I had it)
Make opportunities. Not excuses.
Knocking on doors is an old
Knocking on doors is an old school tactic that one of my teachers back in college would rave about...very up-front, in your face style. People like aggressiveness for sure.
I think the questions on everyone's mind is what position were you offered? And what department were you in?
And where are you now?
Given the username and
Given the username and profile details, it seems OP might be a broker as RIA doing advisorial work..think PWM. Great success story though!
"All it takes is one success to make you an overnight success story."
Very good post. Shows
Very good post. Shows confidence and ambition.
As above, where are you now?
So you're name is Chris
So you're name is Chris Gardner?
Are you Mike Ross from Suits?
Are you Mike Ross from Suits?
"Fortune favors the bold."
- Virgil, Aeneid X.284
Congrats. You are the 1 in a
Congrats. You are the 1 in a million who this would work for.
This story is 100% true
This story is 100% true
KKS: Congrats. You are the 1
Congrats. You are the 1 in a million who this would work for.
I'd say it's much better odds than that... no way in hell a million people would even have the balls to say that in their 10 second window to make an impression. I'd say around 1 in 100.
I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
seems legit
seems legit
http://www.wallstreetoasis.co
Turbo leverage for capital explosion -- BD Capital
My WSO Blog
Superlative: Are you Mike
"Don't touch the watch." -Patrick Bateman
U AWARE BRAH?
bankers gonna bank
Happens more than you think.
Fear is the greatest motivator. Motivation is what it takes to find profit.
I can 100% relate to your
Sarah Ashley
would not work in my office