Many years ago I left Graduate School in an un-related field and was working in the retail fashion industry. After having trouble making ends meet I decided to get into the financial business (I made the decision while sitting on the sidewalk after a motorcycle accident). I began emailing, faxing, and mailing my resume (without anything remotely financial on it) to various firms.
One day it dawned on me that this was ridiculous, that I'd never get a job in this industry this way. I put on my suit and hit the pavement. I showed up un-announced, resume in hand, and requested to speak to the most senior person in whatever office I went to. Everyone I encountered thought I was nuts.
Until one day, on a normal Thursday afternoon I was in the right place at the right time.
The Managing Director came out to meet me (apparently there was a mis-communication and the MD thought I was someone important or an appointment that they were expecting). The MD looked at me and said, "You know people really don't do it this way. Most people don't show up like this". Almost without consciously aware of it I replied, "With all due respect, that's the problem with most people - they don't show up".
The MD was shocked, then looked at me from head to toe in what appeared to be anger and disgust. Then they said, "Okay, come into my office let's talk". I knew at that moment I had it. We hit it off. It took another 3 months of constant interviewing because the MD did not know what to do with me, I believe they struggled on whether to hire me or not. It was all very un-orthodox to say the least. The MD essentially worked with HR and directed them to have me meet and interview with specific people (all higher-ups) to get 2nd opinions and feedback. I got a call late one night from that MD on their cell phone and they made an offer. The rest is history.
Don't ever let people tell you what you can or cannot do. Show up. Show up in the biggest and best way that you can. Be yourself. Work harder than your peers. Visualize where you are going and eventually it becomes reality. Go set monumental goals for yourself and then work backwards to find out what you need to do on a daily basis to achieve greatness. What are you waiting for? Go do it.
Huge balls. Don't know if I have the confidence (see previous sentence) to do that. /burned myself.
That is absurd and yet awesome at the same time, I can honestly say I have never heard or read a story similar to yours. What kind of finance do you work in/does the firm you are talking about work in?
Also curious. You mind sharing the name of the firm?
why did the MD look at you with anger or disgust when you said most people don't show up?
That's ballsy. I felt like that could have gone either way. Good on you, man.
BOSS! Well played sir. (Would +1 if I had it)
Knocking on doors is an old school tactic that one of my teachers back in college would rave about...very up-front, in your face style. People like aggressiveness for sure.
I think the questions on everyone's mind is what position were you offered? And what department were you in?
And where are you now?
Given the username and profile details, it seems OP might be a broker as RIA doing advisorial work..think PWM. Great success story though!
"All it takes is one success to make you an overnight success story."
Very good post. Shows confidence and ambition. As above, where are you now?
So you're name is Chris Gardner?
Are you Mike Ross from Suits?
Is your name bert? ...aware
Congrats. You are the 1 in a million who this would work for.
I'd say it's much better odds than that... no way in hell a million people would even have the balls to say that in their 10 second window to make an impression. I'd say around 1 in 100.
This story is 100% true
seems legit
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/walk-in-cold-call-question
Happens more than you think. Your chances improve a lot when you network and email/CALL. Even if he doesn't respond.
I can 100% relate to your story. I did the same thing with my first "real" finance job. Looking back. I laugh. Because, at the time, I thought that this way was totally normal. It's only when I looked back that I thought "WTF." .... I call it delusional self-confidence .... Anyway, I'm sure you can relate. It's an awesome problem to have sometimes. Ha. I hope to meet you someday. I'd love to exchange stories. I don't want take the spot light from you. Congrats. Keep it up Baller.
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