Can someone please tell me....

..what is is that companies are looking for in an entry level applicant? Its actually unbelievable how unresponsive firms are. I would like to think i have a strong resume, 3.70 GPA with a finance degree from a leading Undergraduate business focused school (not a ivy my any means but a highly ranked school none the less). I've held three internships at well respected financial firms, the latest of which is at one of the world leaders for private equity. I have more leadership experience than i can fit on my resume and an assortment of awards listed.

50+ applications later i have had two responses, neither of which even wanted an interview.

I'm applying to an assortment of consulting firms, financial firms and real estate companies (residential and commercial) all in various entry level positions.

9 Comments
 

It's hard out here for a ][D ][ ][\/][ ][D. Maybe tailor you resume for each industry you apply to?

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Quite simply, luck is not on your side. Do more praying.

But on a serious note, it really is largely luck. They might of saw 200 other people identical to you and decided to play eenie menie miney moe. Why haven't you tried networking if you go to a great/good school, there must be alumni on the street.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Network, especially if you didn't go to a target. Networking gets easier as you go along and a way to differentiate your self from the other target applicants (most of which get turned down too).

Fear is the greatest motivator. Motivation is what it takes to find profit.
 

No offense, but imagine how many other 3.7+ GPA students are out there from good non-ivy business programs (and then all the students from ivies as well) applying for the same positions as you, and additionally keep in mind that the current hiring environment is especially poor.

It means you need to network, and make connections. Applying online without any connections is largely a game of luck - you will need lots of luck for a real person to even look at your resume. If these positions are for OCR then the success rate should certainly be higher...

 

Thanks to all who responded. I have definitely made a strong attempt at networking. I've met tons of people, but sadly none of that has turned into anything more than, "let me put you in touch with this person" and so on and so forth.

I guess I'll just keep on this course...

Does anyone know headhunters or recruiting firms to contact?

Does OCR mean on campus interview? If so, a few of them have been but most haven't. I graduated in May 2012 so I'm not at school anymore. I do still have access to the system, but they only post so many positions that interest me.

 
Best Response
alpine3 Does anyone know headhunters or recruiting firms to contact?
Keep networking!!

And make accounts on efinancialcareers or whatever it is, doostang, dice, monster, linkedin, michael page, robert half, etc. However, be forewarned most headhunters or recruiting firms for entry level are looking to fill positions in middle office and back office, not front office. I would stick to networking, reach out to random people, it CANNOT hurt you.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

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