Is it a bad idea to use Ayn Rand's quotes in an interview

I'm not in S&T, but it sounds pretty douchey to me. I wouldn't say anything close to that in an interview, particularly a trading interview, where I would expect they'll want you to show more of an interest in markets than an abstract desire to "deal with men by means of a free, voluntary, unforced, uncoerced exchange."

It just strikes me as something someone would say if they didn't know anything about trading.

There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.

Just messing with you, not my quote. Props for having a philosophical reason to go into trading though, it's great to have a strong belief and pursue it. That's pretty admirable

I'd never bring up anything that could point towards your political beliefs. That's my personal take anyways, I don't want a Democrat who is interviewing me and having a bad day dinging me for my beliefs (and if I were a Democrat I'd feel the same way about a Republican interviewer).

So, while the quote itself isn't political in nature, it kinda gives a pretty big hint. Plus, it would be a little bit pretentious in my opinion to just drop that quote. Come up with why you want to be a trader in your own words and use that for a basic starting point. Think of it like you're coming up with a thesis for a paper, except it's more like a thesis for your future career

I think this would be a rapid ding for the "is this someone I want to be chatting with over coffee at 2am on a weeknight" portion of the interview.

i'd rather you use quotes from wall street. also @NYCBandar..very impressed with the use of Amitab Bachan as your pic.

Very bad idea. Don't quote anything unless for humorous purposes.

clearly there are so many professions that don't live up to that. give me a break.

Just paraphrase it enough so that it doesn't smack of Rand who (for as much as I obviously love the book) is insanely theatrical and dramatic in her explanations. If something truly describes why you want to be a trader and you can articulate it in a non dramatic, succinct fashion it can only be a good thing. Finding your own voice, with interviews (as with everything else) is crucial.

Agree with the above:

1.) You wouldn't want to reveal political beliefs because they could get you rejected.

2.) A lot of any job is who you're working with - how personable does that quote make you? (not very being the answer).

3.) Find what you believe - not some quote. If they're one in the same, fine. If this is really why you want to do trading, I'm sure you can phrase it yourself. If you can't, you're just repeating something you don't understand ...

4.) As for childhood reading ... I'd lean towards orcs (I actually laughed when I read Blastoise's post).

Fail

seems douchey, one the other hand being an Objectivist didn't hurt Jan Sramek when he was recruiting.

How can this POSSIBLY be something you're considering?

I use Arnie quotes to see who is paying attention. The best one is when talking stock picks "You used to be sub zero, now you're just plain zero".

True story.