Military veteran needs your help/advice! I am "too experienced" for an entry level position?
I just heard back from a well known MM IBD firm I applied to 3 weeks ago, and I didn't get the internship for a summer analyst position. I asked for feedback back, so that I could improve for future interviews, and the woman on the other end of the firm pulled up my file and started reading the comments.
Woman: "You're going to be frustrated when you hear this. All of the comments listed say ' love the military background, but too much leadership experience...is too mature.'" (Basically that I am over qualified as an analyst)
Silence for about 5 seconds
I pressed her to list some of the negatives that she may have felt uncomfortable telling me, but she said that none were listed. I then listed some of the reasons I thought my experience was a positive thing, how it demonstrated my ability to work hard, etc.
Woman: "Lets put a pause on your decision. I'm going to go and talk to the people who said maybe, and give you a final answer on Friday."
My question: I'm flying into the area next Friday, and I was thinking of sending an e-mail asking for the opportunity to meet and do another final round of interviews to discuss some of the concerns they have. Since its on my dime, I just need them to give me a time to be there. Seeing as how I just turned a "No" into a "Maybe," is it wise for me to make this suggestion tonight?
My background: Im a 6 year veteran of the US Navy. I had a stellar career. I am currently an undergraduate sophomore at an Ivy majoring in Econ. My GPA is 3.5.






Make the suggestion, if you
Make the suggestion, if you do well in your internship that's grounds for an associate position upon graduation (at least in my book).
So you graduated HS, served
So you graduated HS, served for 6 years, and now you are a 26 year old? Ive never met a 26 year old analyst but I think I've heard of some. Dont sweat it too much since you are a sophomore. Worry about it more if you are a junior and hear this at more than one bank.
This lady might have stuck
This lady might have stuck her neck out for you. At most BBs and probably a lot of MMs, it's a violation of protocol to give feedback like that. So the right thing to do is to make your next move through her. Don't contact the interviewers directly unless she tells you it's ok.
When you face the "you're overqualified" argument, it's sometimes because the interviewer thinks you're too good for the job or because they're scared of you. You need to hit back by talking about how you really understand and respect the firm, that this is where you want to work, and that you think there's a huge opportunity to learn and grow here. Show them a healthy dose of passion and humility, and they might rethink things.
Either way, it's a longshot.
Work hard, play hard.
Knew someone in a very
Knew someone in a very similar situation - graduated from an Ivy, working FT in a BB IBD now. Granted, he was a bit younger than you (3 years military service), but I guess that my point is that it's not impossible.
Two other things: You do not
Two other things:
You do not want to gun for an Associate promotion- though they might be thinking about a potential early promotion in the back of their minds. Don't look cocky- your job is to show you think the Analyst position is a great one and that you've got a lot of respect from your interviewers.
Also get some advice from the HR lady. Sounds like she's really pulling for you and might have some insight into how these guys think.
Call her back tomorrow afternoon.
Work hard, play hard.
A lot of firms will be
A lot of firms will be reluctant to hire you at the analyst level. If you had an MBA, it would be a different story. I would e-mail the woman with whom you're speaking (is she HR?) and explain that you're going to be in the area and would love the opportunity to come in and discuss - that you were very impressed with the bank, the people you met, and would love the opportunity to work there. Demonstrate that you aren't uncomfortable being an analyst with as much experience as you have and maye they'll come around. Good luck.
I am honestly shocked...hard
I am honestly shocked...hard to even believe...hr would "pull your file" and give you feedback. That is against almost every bank's internal rules.
I mean you can't fucking age
I mean you can't fucking age discriminate so I am calling bullshit or the hr woman is full tard.
It's your age that they are
It's your age that they are concerned about. They might not tell you this in front of your face but I guarantee that they estimated your age by looking at your military start and end date. Telling you that you have too much experience is just saying that you're too old, it sucks but it is what it is.
Thanks for all the info guys.
Thanks for all the info guys. I honestly didn't know that telling an applicant what they could have done better was that big of a deal.
I find it hard to believe that at the ripe old age of 26 there would be a concern of me being too old for a position. Then again, I have zero experience and nothing to base that comment on. If anything, I assume it has to do with me working with 22 year olds that are senior to me, or dealing with a lot of mindless work.
Anyway, I'm going to draft an e-mail to the woman (she is not HR, but does have a hand in recruiting), and let her know of my plans to be in the area. I'll let you know how it all turns out one way or another.
Thanks again.
-NM
Keep your head up man, you'll
Keep your head up man, you'll eventually get something if this doesn't work out. Thanks for your service!
Ok, what asshole threw monkey
Ok, what asshole threw monkey shit at me for my above positive statement?
26 is too old? Thats
26 is too old? Thats ridiculous.
But it does suck to work with the still in the blue 22 years olds when your 4-5 years their senior. I can see this being an asset in that you will obviously stand out in maturity and emotional inteligence compared to other analysts.
txjustin wrote: Ok, what
Ok, what asshole threw monkey shit at me for my above positive statement?
Just countered it. Probably some angry liberal with father issues.
*waits for monkey shit from said liberal*
Let's make one thing clearer.
Let's make one thing clearer. I do not believe she would have said you were "overqualified". The reservation is that you will be unsuited for the program.
The reservation would be that you are older, and will be (i) unsatisfied with the drudgery of a real analyst program, (ii) difficult for people potentially younger and less experienced than you to manage, and (iii) less prone to take instruction with the malleability that you would have had when you were younger.
This concern is absolutely valid, and proven to be so by experience.
Having said that, I was a new analyst older than you. I did it coming out of an officer's slot, plus experience in another role. It can be done. But you must convince them that these reservations should be overcome. And those reservations have nothing to do with your qualifications, but rather everything to do with your age, attitudes , and experiences prior to this.
We can continue the conversation privately if you prefer (although my usual preference is to suggest a public conversation so as to reduce the need to have the same conversation over and over again when questions recur).
-GK
txjustin wrote: Ok, what
GenghisKhan wrote: Let's make
I have a similar situation,
Apologies in advance because
It's what you put into it
Speaking from personal
"One should recognize reality even when one doesn't like it, indeed, especially when one doesn't like it." - Charlie Munger
rbkchoi wrote: This reminds
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
happypantsmcgee
It's what you put into it
Crazy, I even know someone
NavalMonkey
Once again, great advice GK.
Love haters
It's what you put into it
*fixed*. Dish s*** for stupid
Work hard, play hard.
IlliniProgrammer
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
HAHA! I GOT IT GUYS! I was
Impressive, congrats!
"One should recognize reality even when one doesn't like it, indeed, especially when one doesn't like it." - Charlie Munger
Congrats!!!
happypantsmcgee
1/2 of the WSO Bash Brothers
"Licensed to Ill It"
We all know Bro J did it...
NavalMonkey wrote: HAHA! I
GK you went from analyst to
Maybe this should be moved to
"WSO is like the 300 for anti spamage. None shall pass." -happypantsmcgee
"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer
Macellus, he did have a post
marcellus_wallace wrote: GK