What do I do to land an entry level acquisition role or brokerage associate role after a career break from bank underwriting?

In a tough position here. Graduated in 2019 June and started off as a junior credit analyst at a small bank AUM < $15B. I did well in the credit program and got rotated into underwriting department 3rd month into my employment which is unprecedented. Performed full underwriting and closed multiple multifamily, mixed used, and small balance commercial loans and reported to CCO. However, it had to come to an end at my 10th month mark due to US work visa issues, and I had an amicable departure the employer. I am now a permanent resident as of 2 months ago, so I don't have the work authorization problem anymore, but per the US immigration & border control sensitivity coupled with COVID delay in government agencies, it was a safe choice for me to stay in the US without work authorization for 2 years rather than waiting for my greencard and working back in my home country.

(Those who might wonder why: if the USCIS were to find something wrong with my greencard application, it's much safer for me to respond to the issue and file petition in the US than trying to do so from abroad. At that point, my RE-ENTRY back to the US is not even guaranteed. We did risk analysis with my immigration lawyer. Immigration petition processing from abroad ranges from at least 6 months to...who knows how long)

During the 2.5 year hiatus, I did the following:

- Obtained the CA DRE broker license

- Launched a personal credit repair consulting agency (pro bono because it was illegal for me to work and generate any income...some people do it under the table but I didn't want to risk anything so I didn't)

- Checked off some personal bucket list items (the PCT trail, FAA pilot license, writing etc)

- Shadowed a local realtor (non-paying position)

- Then when I had a conditional short term work authorization(3 months), worked in retail sales position part time

I am really hoping to get back to the workforce and start over building my career in CRE. I have been applying like crazy and employers don't seem to be going after my application even though I explained the career gap. Unfortunately I couldn't finish the credit training program at the bank, but then I don't believe my 10 month underwriting experience was for nothing. I want an associate position with an institutional brokerage or an acquisition analyst position. How can I do a better job presenting myself on my resume or cover letter? Or any credentials/certifications I can meaningfully add to my resume?

Thanks for your consideration and help.

3 Comments
 
 

Resume is kind of a tough sell, on top of the fact market is pretty bad now as you know. You were only working for 10 months, so you would be competing for entry level positions with kids right out of college, who may or may not be more desirable from a companies perspective. You just need to get any job in CRE and then hopefully transition 1-2 years into it. Also, the visa issues are as well kind of a big turn off. How does a company know if you won’t run into same issues in tbe future?

 

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