How many times were you knocked back?

I havent been able to find a job for a very long time now (coming upto a year). I simply dont understand why (aside from one recent interview, where I screwed up a question on the difference between a bond and a equity). I have a strong background, I interview well and I am very enthusiastic.

I've been turned down for so many jobs now and its becoming tiresome. I was just wondering what the number was for you before you finally succeeded in getting that job.

And if anyone else has any tips on how to get that elusive job, that would be great.

Thanks!

 
Best Response

Well, we know nothing about your situation here. Haven't been able to find a job in a year as in you graduated from 2012, or as in you had a job and lost it in 2012? Assuming you graduated in 2012, where did you graduate from, what was your GPA, what was your major? What kind of jobs are you applying for? What does your "strong background" include?

Also, if you're closing in on a year without employment, you need to find SOMETHING relevant to put on your resume- volunteer, intern, take a class, something. A year gap on a resume is a red flag.

It sounds like you're making it into the interview stage, which is a good sign, but if you're not making it out, something is wrong and it's not your background (otherwise, you wouldn't have made it to the interview to begin with). Back to my last point, when the past year comes up in an interview (as I assume it would), how are you accounting for your year? Beyond that, I think a common non-technical mistake people make is not being able to explain why they want THAT job at THAT institution.

Lastly, are you networking properly? Networking will help you a lot more than you know.

 

Well I am not looking for FT, but what I can say is it is just a numbers game man. Keep interviewing, keep networking and don't give it up. All you need is 1 offer, and one firm to think you are a good fit.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 

If you have been invited to several interviews and have received no offers, then maybe your interview skills are not as good as you think. I'd suggest looking into a professional coach. They may give you harsh advice, but you may also be doing something very subtle that is turning off the interviewers.

 
blackcleo:

If you have been invited to several interviews and have received no offers, then maybe your interview skills are not as good as you think. I'd suggest looking into a professional coach. They may give you harsh advice, but you may also be doing something very subtle that is turning off the interviewers.

Our Wall St. Mentors coudl grill you and figure out what you're doing wrong or where you are weak: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/wall-street-mentors-finance-mock-intervi…

 

Thanks for your post Marketmistress. I graduated in 2009 and did a masters in Econ in 2010. I have solid grades (3.7GPA) and internship experience within law and client services (worked at a boutique consulting firm in London) I have I worked in a variety of jobs in the years following. And now I find myself really struggling to find anything. I've had several interviews and for whatever reason, I havent been successful. At first, I felt it was my interviews but I've gotten jobs recently only for them to fall apart (budget reasons 3 times, internal candidate hired who I couldnt really compete with) and really bogus decisions other times (a woman actually said I never listened which was ridiculous to say the least).

I really dont know what to do. I'm British and live in London. I've worked at DB for a while, and two financial research organizations. I've applied for similar jobs, attempting to use my research background to get a good position. But nothing.

I've volunteered and am taking a diploma in Regulation and Compliance to solidify my legal experience. I use that to cover up my gap but I'm not sure where I'm going wrong.

I did mess up in a recent interview but thats because they completely caught me off guard and I had no idea about the difference as I hadnt researched it much. But other than that, I work hard for interviews and it shows.

 
Swanny:
I simply dont understand why (aside from one recent interview, where I screwed up a question on the difference between a bond and a equity)
If you don't know the difference between a stock and a bond, you're not as strong of a candidate as you think. You need to do a lot more studying.
 
Swanny:

I agree for that particular position. I admit I messed up and didnt deserve that role. I cant say the same for the other positions.

Are you applying for jobs in finance? If so, not grasping something that basic would hold you back for any remotely financial role.
 

From my experience, if you interview well, the problem is the jobs that you are applying for and what your resume tells.

You need to convince the hiring manager that you will stick around for a long time and that this job is your dream...

 
SirTradesaLot:
Swanny:

I agree for that particular position. I admit I messed up and didnt deserve that role. I cant say the same for the other positions.

Are you applying for jobs in finance? If so, not grasping something that basic would hold you back for any remotely financial role.

I'm applying for research roles within financial data firms. I have the experience in the area. That questions just caught me off guard and I kind of went on a brief tangent rather being concise. I appreciate the difference but it was something that didnt come to me at the time.

 

I'm really confused. I'm a strong candidate, with good experience and I'm still getting nowhere.

Anyone from London on this board that may be able to help?

 

Basically, I was asked a question about how a particular equity will work as opposed to how a particular bond is going to work. I was on the right track because I knew enough but I got mixed up and completely lost track of what I was saying. I started babbling on about how a bond is going to mature, but forgot the actual word 'mature' and described it in detail.

Worst part was that that question had little to do with the job because the position was in an Econ firm and not finance.

 

The actual question was phrased awkwardly too. She gave me little direction and basically invited a tangent.

Then they inform me that was the reason I was not hired. Everything else, I crushed in the interview.

 

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