Feeling Stuck After Getting Let Go — Advice on How to Move Forward
Hi everyone,
Looking for some career advice and perspective. Apologies in advance for the long post, but I’m feeling a bit lost right now.
I graduated in January 2021 and have always been passionate about real estate. I’ve done everything from retail leasing to property management, and started my career at a commercial appraisal firm. Eventually, I was able to break into a real estate banking role at a major institution, where I focused on debt origination and portfolio management. I underwrote a variety of deals and was responsible for managing loans throughout their life cycle on our balance sheet.
Due to some personal matters, I had to leave that role in summer 2024 and spent about six months out of the country. I returned earlier this year and was fortunate enough to land an Associate role at a Capital Markets brokerage—a dream opportunity for me, as I’ve always wanted to be in the capital markets side of CRE.
Unfortunately, I hit some bumps early on. The first deal I was staffed on, I made some mistakes, and afterward I felt somewhat sidelined. Yesterday, after just a month, they decided to let me go. I understand the business is fast-paced, but I honestly wish I had been given more time to ramp up.
Now I’m in NYC with a new lease and no job. I’m back to the job hunt, but unsure how to position myself. If I include this most recent role on my resume, it raises questions due to the short tenure. If I leave it off, I’m now looking at a nearly 10-month gap since I left the bank—which is also a red flag.
Would appreciate any honest advice on:
- How to frame this on my resume or in interviews
- Whether to include the short brokerage stint or leave it off
- How to explain the employment gap
- How to re-enter the CRE capital markets world, whether through analyst/senior analyst roles or otherwise
Thanks in advance for any help or insights.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you can navigate your situation and move forward effectively:
1. Resume Framing:
2. Explaining the Gap:
3. Interview Strategy:
4. Re-entering CRE Capital Markets:
5. Additional Tips:
Remember, resilience and adaptability are key in this industry. Use this experience as a stepping stone, and don’t hesitate to lean on your network for support. You’ve already built a solid foundation in CRE—this is just a temporary detour.
Sources: Having a very difficult time breaking into CRE (Please Help - I'm Desperate), Running out of time and options in a big, big way; have no idea what to do; losing my mind, Just graduated and don’t have a job?, How do I land a role at a commercial firm (JLL, CBRE, etc.) from scratch at 26?, What is your compensation in Real Estate Finance?
What was their reason for letting you go? What exactly did they say to you?
I would 100% leave it off your resume.
They just felt I wasn’t up to Associate standards..and they don’t have time to train
Yeah, leave that off your resume.
What mistakes did you make?
I was put on a deal where I didn’t know the asset class plus the capital stack structure was a bit different as well as what I’m used to. It was my first day using their models which were fairly complex especially compared to the ones at the bank. I think now after playing around with it for a bit I’m more comfortable but unfortunately was not given the opportunity since the first staffed on deal
I would not include the short stint on the resume. It’s a challenging environment and multiple applicants have been out of a job for 1+ years so 10 months isn’t that bad of a gap imo
So off my LinkedIn too I’m assuming? Because when I reach out to people or apply they still think I’m at my broekrage haha
I undestand they fired you but how did you leave it off with the team? Was there any animosity? Did they sound like they felt bad? I ask this because usually they just help you out with a reference and say whatever you want if they liked you but otherwise your performance wasn’t up to par.
Yeah I would wipe it completely
A 10mo gap isn’t a big deal and you were traveling for over half of it, some of the older ppl interviewing you may be jealous of that opportunity
Thats good to hear I’m just nervous about the gap. Think it’s time to remove the role off my LinkedIn as well as a recruiter just asked me why am I looking already when I just joined.
Voluptatem ex necessitatibus earum at fugiat. Excepturi error repellat illo sit asperiores sit. Nemo minus qui commodi doloremque. Quaerat qui quidem ut.
Debitis ipsa tempora mollitia. Illum delectus provident est ut facere architecto est rem.
Iure nulla nemo eligendi vel in. Rerum amet et fugit ut placeat vel. Qui unde ex autem accusantium quidem. Cum ea provident non dignissimos velit libero. Optio laboriosam perspiciatis vero ut.
Sit corporis est est nesciunt nostrum dolorum. Aut tenetur pariatur error qui aliquid at. Provident nobis occaecati voluptates aliquid consequatur distinctio et nihil. Repellendus sint quisquam reiciendis quaerat occaecati aut qui. Ex autem blanditiis et omnis qui.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...