Resume for a net negative portfolio

Hi,

I'm a fourth year math student looking for a summer internship at an investment firm in Vancouver.

I thought it would be a good idea to start my own stock portfolio prior to applying for full-time positions to demonstrate my interest. Its been 8 months since ive started.

The problem is that to date I am net down by 4% and I do not know how to talk about this in my resume without it being played against me..

What points/bullets can i include that show ive demonstrated interest even if the result (not surprisingly in this market) has been bearish?

Thanks,

3 Comments
 

You could probably just not mention the portfolio on your resume. If it was in conjunction with a class maybe put down the portfolio class?

 
Best Response

I wouldn't put the return down on your resume, but other than that I wouldn't be ashamed at all. If asked, be honest, and talk about what went wrong and most of all what you learned from it. Mention new strategies you're testing out, and how your backtesting process is improving.

I really don't think many people would care at all you lost paper money, it's showing humility, that you learned from your mistakes, and that you're working to improve that matter as a student. Much better you lose money now and get better than never trying and blow up when things get real.

Also I don't think the word "bearish" applies to specifically your returns being negative... more to the general market right now. I have never heard someone losing money and referring to that as bearish (conversely someone making money and calling them bullish). It's more of an attitude towards the future.

 

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