Have I doomed myself to mediocrity?
3.8 from UIC, dominated CFA's Level I, II, and III with my eyes closed, but made a few (or many) bad decisions (rejected promotions, squandered opportunities). Now I've been unemployed for the last two years (previously worked at a Fund of Hedge Funds).
I initially left my firm to pursue a career in intrinsic valuation but have since received 0.0 traction in my resume submissions. I then started to apply to back office gigs. The result was two interviews and no takers. Half the interviews were spent with me putting the I-won't-get-bored fire out. Now, I'm hitting up retailers to put your kids’ toys on the shelves so you will buy those damn things. I'm thinking the only way to hit the 'Reset' button on my career is by going to NWU for a MBA.
Am I off base thinking a MBA from NWU is the only way to regain career momentum?
PS If you decide to light a flame under my monkey butt (technically a chimp's butt according to WSO), you better include some useful information that is realistically actionable.
What have you been doing for the past two years?
From what is looks like you are quite clever so I don't think the qualifications are the things missing, could it be more a problem with "corporate fit" ? (ie: are you arrogant with the interviewer etc..) Why did you reject the previous offers ? Concerning the no replies to your resume, are you applying to jobs that require more in the job experience than you have ?
This quote...combined with the following... Lead me to believe that your attitude is turning off would be employers.
I posted about this sort of thing (albeit very briefly) here.
I suggest giving it a long honest thought before proceeding. What quantitatively superior minds (such as yours) don't seem to comprehend is that employees have to deal with you on a personal level, every single day. The sort of guy who shows up somewhere (job, party, internet forum) and start making demands like you have is the sort of guy I'm going to tell to fuck off. I would much rather take someone a bit less sharp, who I know won't make problems for me.
Remember, employers skim potential employees and make snap decisions. Make sure you hold yourself out as someone people will actually want to be around. I've got news for you buddy a 4.0/CFA are no guarantee in this economy, so don't fall too deep in love with your credentials. Consider what I am saying or if you don't believe me use the search function and see how many people make the same mistake you have...on a daily basis.
Now to the part you actually want to hear. Anyone with your analytical chops would be better suited (or at least, more likely to get back in the game) to a technical master's degree, such as an MFE (just an example). Also, further designations such as an FRM or CRM would undoubtedly help. An MBA (I'd go Chicago > NW if you have the option) is no guarantee for your profile.
Frankly, in your position I would consider a hard quant PhD while making some nice change on the side tutoring for the GMAT/GRE. You seem like you could bang out >90th percentile and a PhD/CFA is a very very rare combo which opens doors to some amazing research opportunities. It would take time, but you'd definitely find the security you want. Either way, good luck to you.
What does UIC mean?
University of Illinois at Chicago
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I still think the job market is bad. Especially for people who have done nothing in their time of layoff. etc. Although it has picked up since a year ago. Fund of Funds experience doesnt seem to have that transferable of skillsets to the valuation side. I recommend volunteering, interning, working for free etc to ease your way back in. I went through a similar experience. At first, I didnt want to take jobs that were beneath what I previously had. Slowly, I lowered my standards and looked in other related areas. Many interviewers thought that I was a poor candidate based on my fragmented experience due to the recession. They really wanted you to demonstrate passion for the job , not just a place to park and ride out the bad times. Also, interviews are tougher these days with multiple rounds, exams etc. Still not easy to go in straight up. helps alot if you know someone inside.
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