Will I be Taken Seriously?
I'm a male junior in undergrad, hoping to take part in the Summer Intern 2013 recruiting process. I'll be nearly 21 during the interview period (Q1 2013).
I'm worried that people won't take me seriously because I look like a kid. Like, a high school kid. I'm a shade over 5'9" (without shoes), about 140 lbs. Also, I have the face of an 18 year-old (most people guess 18, but I could convince people I'm 16 without much trouble). Moreover, I can't grow enough facial hair to look any older. I'm not even cut either, but I guess that doesn't matter when I'm in a suit.
On top of that, I sort of act like a kid. I'm not stupid or immature (far from it, actually), but I'm a naturally high-energy/optimism/all-round cheery kind of guy (I know that sounds kinda gay, but I can't really tone it down for interviews e.g. I smile quite a lot etc.) It's the amount of energy you'd expect from an eager HS student, not a world-weary college kid at a target.
I was doing an internship at a boutique this summer and everybody there was very nice and willing to help me (both with what I was working on, as well as general career advice), but it also seemed as if they were being overly nice, as one might be to someone they're babysitting. That's how chicks treat me at clubs too, even if they're my age.
My question is, in a business (I'm aiming for IBD) where
1) everybody is somber, looking older than you are is valued, and analysts age much quicker than the usual due to 100-hour weeks
2) People are supposed to be tall, jacked, white (I'm not white, or American, actually) Alpha males
Do I have a shot with my just-a-few-pounds-away-from-being-mistaken-for-a-girl-from-the-back-and-male-jailbait-from-the-front body and stupidly sunny disposition?
tl;dr - I'm a guy, turning 21, who's 5'9", 140 lbs and w/ the face of an 16 year-old - does looking like a scrawny little boy who should be preparing for my SATs equal an autoding at ibd interviews?
This site surprises me everyday. Wow are people paranoid these days.
Hey, Shia LeBoeuf was pretty badass in Wall Street 2.
Really? I thought he was a pussy. OP, just don't do anything weird and you'll be fine. You're not the first 21-year old who smiles a lot to interview for finance jobs.
Most 30 year olds can't tell the difference between the looks of an 18 year old and a 21 year old. They look pretty much the same.
Two things:
1: Whether you will be taken seriously or not will be determined how you carry yourself
2: It is a blessing to look like a baby
-Older bro with the skin complexion of a baby's ass
P.S. You're still in school, eat 1000 calories more a day and hit the gym.
It double posted.
Well, for one thing, I think he was probably a closet homosexual who did a lot of cocaine.
This is definitely a troll post....I mean it's a "chimp."
Have you seen real bankers? They do not look like Gordon Gecko (or even Bud Fox) - they look like every other white collar employee, but more sleep deprived. Yeah, the guy they trot out to give presentations / appear on CNBC looks good, but he was chosen largely for his appearance. What the average interviewer cares about is: (a) has the kid done the basic work to learn the technical questions? (b) will I be able to tolerate him at 3am?
No one cares what you look like. Just wear clothes that are well tailored and you'll be fine.
I understand you concern on this: the guys in my family age very very very slowly (and then die suddenly at 50) and some people really do judge on looks, and there's not much you can do about it. Your attitude and resume will be enough though: act like an adult. Do you realize how many geekly little dudes work in finance?
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