4.0 GPA (MFin), can't land a job
Hey guys,
I graduated this past December from an MFin program in SoCal with perfect grades, 2 internships in a small vc and corp strategy in F500, and also passed my CFA level 2. I have been trying to break into ER or IB, but have also been looking at F500 corp fin in healthcare and big tech. The problem is that even before the pandemic my qualifications have not been enough to break in.
On the the IB/ER side, for which my resume is much better suited, the competition has been much stronger due to my lack of "real experience". On the FP&A side, my resume is less relevant and also hints that I'm more interested in banking.
As hard as it has been, I still landed 4-6 superdays/final rounds anywhere from Big 4 valuations and F500 analyst roles, to a few IB/ER second rounds, and numerous phone screens from some prominent firms. My problem has been not making that final cut, due to bombing a case study or not being the right fit, and not having enough interviews.
But now, I don't get any calls or emails. People always tell me to network, but I have too big of an ego to be asking for help from others. I reach out for positions that I know who the manager is, send stock pitches, send aggressive cover letters, but never hear anything.
My questions is this - Are there any other roles I can apply for that I am missing out on? How else can I catch people's attention. I know that I got what it takes. From qualifications on paper, to actual technical knowledge, to industry experience from reading books and primers, and the will to succeed in any situation. What else can be done in this situation? I have been waiting for the storm to end, but I have learned that you should never wait for things to come to you. You must make it happen.
Thank you for the feedback
At the end, you stated the answer to the problem that you created in the middle -- you said you were too proud to "ask for help;" networking is not "asking for help," it's an accepted activity that is invaluable to helping you get a gig.
In many -- if not most -- instances, you will have a difficult time getting an interview (even, as you saw, with a 4.0) unless you have someone on the inside pushing your resume through the system.
Get on Linkedin and network you butt off. If you don't do that, you could be doing yourself a tremendous disservice.
Good luck.
Thanks for the feedback. I understand the value of networking, but I see it differently. In my view it's about keeping and growing connections with people that you have worked with or come across in the past, which is more natural. Hitting up random people on linkedin (even if they are alumnis) and asking them for a phone call, then a coffee chat to "learn about their experience" and ask them "how to position myself for FT recruitment" seems forced to me. The ego part is that I can't fake it since I'm a straight shooter.
I am a type of person who wants to rise by proving myself, so I'm okay if I don't land into IB or ER immediately. I would be open to some entry level FP&A roles, lateraling from there. But I hardly land interviews for those positions too, even when they require 0-2 years of experience.
I know there are people who land positions without networking. I'm looking for more out of the box ways to get someone's attention other than networking, or positions that I can go after that I might be completely ignoring.
It doesn’t matter if you “see it differently”; you see it wrong.
It feels forced? Too bad. The game is the game and it’s what you’re going to have to do if you want a role.
Honestly, reading both of your comments, it seems as though you’ve got a bit of a superiority complex. You appear to think you’re too good for networking. That’s going to be coming across in interviews and nobody’s going to want to work with someone with that kind of attitude.
Son your ego is writing cheques your body can’t cash.
Have little to no sympathy when ppl complain how things don’t go their way while they’re unwilling to step out of their comfort zone and go the distance to make shit happen.
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