Resume dilemma 2.0 - Recent grad in finance/investments

hello everyone!

I'm new in this forum and I welcome any recommendation regarding the issue at hand: I am a recent graduate in finance/investments and I have applied to many entry level jobs in financial consulting, equity/fx/proprietary trading, investment banking, corporate finance, operations, you name it. I just want to start a career within the fiance/investment domain. the thing is I have no experience whatsoever in these areas and I couldn't afford unpaid internships during my college years. My GPA is around 3.5 in my bachelors and 3.75 in my associates.

I have 2 resumes used interchangeably. The first one includes my work experience which are basically low skilled jobs and the second one substitutes the work experience part with 'related coursework'. So far I have received just a couple of offers with prolonged unpaid training and commission based afterwords or stipend money, which is not enough. If i can make it through the 1st HR filter I am sure I can make it through the interview.

The dilemma thing is: which resume should I use? the one with related coursework that has no work experience in it at all, or the other one with my work experience? Or is it better if I combine them into one?

Any recommendation from monkeys will be appreciate it.

P.S. If you have any suggestion in which area should I focus my job search where chances to get into are greater you're welcome to share it.

 

Hmm. Perhaps try to cold call people, or connect with them through the internet first? Especially smaller boutiques? That's your best bet if you want to do real investment-related work, I think.

 

thanks, I haven't thought of that and I don't know how effective can that be, but I got nothing to lose anyway. what about my resume which one do you think works better?

There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to overcome. -William F. Hasley
 
Brabus1:
thanks, I haven't thought of that and I don't know how effective can that be, but I got nothing to lose anyway. what about my resume which one do you think works better?

The one with related coursework.

 
Best Response

First, start searching for people in finance from your school on linkedin and google.

Second, I'm sure you did some type of research project, capstone consulting project, semester long equity research project, semester long trading simulation, etc. during your time in undergrad. Use those experiences in an extra curricular activities section or relevant projects section. Do not overstate (read: lie) about anything you did for the projects/results but do not reduce four years of college down to "relevant courses" and a GPA on your resume. If you were part of your school's investment club by all means put that down. That goes for other ECs and leadership positions.

Don't be afraid to put your work experience on the resume either. Be proud of the path you've taken and sell yourself and your experiences. No one likes a kid who is ashamed of where he came from/his experiences.

Edit: Feel free to post your resumes so we can get a better idea of what you're working with and can help you out further.

[quote=patternfinder]Of course, I would just buy in scales. [/quote] See my WSO Blog | my AMA
 

thanks man.

in fact that's what I have included in my related coursework; also my membership at the finance club. truth is that school to me was an objective not fun (because of circumstances) so I wasn't much involved with extracurricular activities and thing is how to strike the recruiter and attract his/her attention so my resume doesn't become invisible and preventing me from getting the interview. it's not about me being ashamed of my work experiences and where I come from. I have no such complexity. I am proud of where I come from, what I have done and my life experiences, to the extent that sometimes I feel like I can give lectures about life because I see that most of us take a lot of things for granted. but that's not the point, the point is that they have nothing to do with the positions I have been applying to. when it comes to work experiences I am afraid no recruiter gives a damn about my construction and driving jobs. none of the replies I got come from the one I used my work experience. in my cover letter, however, I give a short overview of where I come from and how i started from scratch and what I can bring to the table. maybe this had played a role in the interviews I got for a financial advisor but they provide unpaid training and I heard you don't make any money in your first months smth that is unaffordable for the moment so I had to decline them.

even though, I wanted and sitll want to get in well established firm because there's where the future of a successful career lies and I belive I'd fit better there, I see that the chances are very slim. any idea where are my best chances to start up (even if it's a shitty position I don't mind as long as it will help me work my way up) will be appreciated.

p.s. I might upload my resume but I don't think I have much to add unless I start make things up

There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to overcome. -William F. Hasley
 

Why not combine the two? You can probably cut down on the "related coursework" and still have work experience on your resume. Focus the education section on your capstone project and keep the description for your low skill job brief.

 

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There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to overcome. -William F. Hasley

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