How big are the gaps? Can you reasonably state that it took awhile to find the "right" position? Did you do some volunteer work/travel/pretend consulting (i.e. helping out your friends or family with minor tasks)? 3-6 months to find another job isn't unusual anymore, even for experienced hires...

 

On a resumé, you're not supposed to put EVERYTHING you have done down. Try and stay relevant to the job you're applying for. It's often the case that gaps will be present, and sometimes recruiters ask about them personally if they have any questions. In situations like this, try and pitch the 'under the table' work as a key process in your leadership development. That always works!

 

I just accepted an offer - Only one person ever brought up the ~2 summers I did not have work experience; and then I just explained it. I know a guy in a much worse situation due to cancer (he beat it though!) and he is doing alright with getting interviews. He just built it out like you would expect. Added an extra bullet to everything he had and it looked fine.

 
Forrest:

I just accepted an offer - Only one person ever brought up the ~2 summers I did not have work experience; and then I just explained it. I know a guy in a much worse situation due to cancer (he beat it though!) and he is doing alright with getting interviews. He just built it out like you would expect. Added an extra bullet to everything he had and it looked fine.

You got an example you can send me? I've been slammed over the phone for having a gap and told 'bankers don't have time to research your background/find a more sympathetic ear' (during a networking call) but I thought it was pretty clear from my resume why I had the gap... Not sure if adding explanations for 'gaps' is wise/causes auto-dinges?

 

Are you still in school now? What year?

Definitely possible to spin IMO - focus on the business aspects of your time (acting as your own agent, pitching your work to the major players in your area to try to get noticed, etc.). I think this can definitely be overcome as far as a resume gap. You might have more difficulty breaking in simply because of your age.

 

Yeah I'm a junior at Columbia. I was pretty altruistic/bohemian at the time so money wasn't a big thing for me (lol how things change). I started a not-for-profit recording studio to help local bands get signed since I had the equipment & wanted to hone my skill. Most I didn't charge, but two of them did get signed to major labels using demos I produced. Bad luck that they both broke up before releasing anything through their new labels, but that's the nature of the business.

I'm 24 right now (bout to turn 25), so I guess I'd be like 27 when I would be starting. Is that really that old for an IB analyst?

 
Best Response

I'm in a similar position as you chess I will be 26/27 by the time I graduate due to some issues I'm not going to get into. I have researched the issue of being an older college graduate a good amount. I am planning on just not saying anything about my age when I am applying for internships or jobs. It is not common practice for employers to ask about age during the interview process. You will probably be able to pass for being 22-23 so I doubt it will be issue.

Now after they hire you they are required by law to ask for proof that you are eligible to work so you will have to show them your drivers license or some for of identification and your age will be revealed. Usually private information like your date of birth is kept private by the HR department and bosses and other bosses don't have access to it.

So just don' t tell anyone how old you are and you will probably be fine. If you are older because you spent the last 4 years in the military then I doubt IBs or other employers would hold it against you. Being in a band/musician is not something that is really valued or relevant in the corporate world so if it were me I wouldn't mention it or put it on my resume.

 

You're kidding, right? If you're unhappy, then obviously, you should just start searching for a new job. There's no upside in quitting your current job before you have a better idea about the next one. Just start searching -- who knows, you might even discover that other roles are either not available or else no better than your current role, in which case you'll have more information to consider your next move.

 
morgantire:

You're kidding, right? If you're unhappy, then obviously, you should just start searching for a new job. There's no upside in quitting your current job before you have a better idea about the next one. Just start searching -- who knows, you might even discover that other roles are either not available or else no better than your current role, in which case you'll have more information to consider your next move.

I have started searching, but my shower/commute/work/return it from 530am to 8pm at night, so I get very little time, and I am singled out at work on a regular basis. They're having a "performance review" later this week, randomly, and I do not want to get fired or I fear getting a new job could be harder.

 

Job hunting is never easy. The GOLDEN RULE that you should ALWAYS adhere to: don't quit your job until you have a new one. No exceptions. Lots of times, you get "asked to resign" instead of "fired". As my last BB VP told me, it takes a lot of paperwork to fire someone. If they do say they're going to let you go, ask for the chance to resign instead. Use lunch breaks and weekends to attempt to network and fake family deaths and Dr appointments to interview.

Make opportunities. Not excuses.
 
WSRenaissanceMan:

Job hunting is never easy. The GOLDEN RULE that you should ALWAYS adhere to: don't quit your job until you have a new one. No exceptions. Lots of times, you get "asked to resign" instead of "fired". As my last BB VP told me, it takes a lot of paperwork to fire someone. If they do say they're going to let you go, ask for the chance to resign instead. Use lunch breaks and weekends to attempt to network and fake family deaths and Dr appointments to interview.

well in interviews, do you have to be honest that you were asked to leave as opposed to quitting? I know the FINRA U5 does make a distinction and so do job application sites. my supervisor has created a hostile work environment for me, harassing and embarassing me in front of people every day.

 

lol...What do you mean by "got several oppotunities when I left?" Did you actually have job offers, or is that your prettied up way of saying that you saw job postings and sent out resumes?

 

I had to go back due to family issues, it was something that could not be avoided for me. I went to a state school, got my interest in finance pretty late(beginning of senior year) and majored in Economics and Political Science. GPA. 3.6. I had a few internships one working under an FA doing some administrative and reccomendation work. And then at a boutique investment bank working as a researcher for the wealth management department.

Ideally i want to get into the Asset Management business but really looking at all types of entry level finance work.

 

You have a couple month gap due to family issues that caused you to go back home - it's no big deal. If your employer asks, just be honest that you had family matters to attend to back home wherever you're from. Just keep pluging along and going at it. If you need something to try and stand out - take a class or two or study for a professional exam that would be beneficial in the long run like the CFA.

 

A gap for 3 months is no big deal. Especially since you have a story behind it. You switched and they didnt need you immediately, so you took 3 months to party off! In the scheme of things down the track when you have amassed your couple of years IBD experience this will be totally irrelevant.

 

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