Military Experience - Yay or Nay?
Dear WSO,
If you were a potential employer screening interns, how would you view a junior who has a leadership experience in the Army? (Republic of Korean Army Corporal). I am having a hard time debating with myself deciding whether I should evade conscription and focus on academics and professional endeavor. So far, it seems like pros of evading the draft seems to outweigh the cons, but I am more than willing to serve if such a leadership experience will provide me with personal growth & success in financial industry. I'd be happy to hear your opinions, cheers.
Thank you.
A lot of the guys at my school (US) took their time in the army if they were require to serve, and then resumed their studies and recruited as appropriate. If anything, it's looked upon favorably because you're more mature and it's a positive experience.
I've heard it also screws you pretty hard if you're planning on going back to Korea and aren't a dual citizen, so I'd keep that in mind.
I'm at a US office of a European bank and about half of IBD has military experience, mostly as a conscript in their home country. If you spin it well it absolutely adds to your story. Personally I would see an evader as someone more likely to shirk on a commitment (renege, jump ship early in an analyst tour) but I am biased as I was in the us military for >10 years.
I would really appreciate any Tips you have in terms of "spinning well"
Currently in the process of trying to land an entry level analyst position in the off cycle.
I am enlisted got out 2013, just finished my BBA Finance already in NYC, Interned at a small middle market from april 2015 - dec 2015. Was hired as an analyst Jan 2016 (No financial modeling though). I am looking to apply to the veteran integration program this year and all open CIB, IBD, etc.. would you be willing to take a look at my resume for me? If you can it would be a great help.
Or maybe just give me some pointers on things you put down.
Sure, pm me your email.
Also, military experience is very favorably looked upon by most us business schools. I know Wharton and CBS particularly accept military candidates with much lower credentials than the general population
I guess I'm going, then :) Thank you for inputs guys!
While I was not hiring in finance I most certainly gave applicants with prior military preferential focus (no, I am not prior military). I always had better results with those folks.
Thank you for the input, I will be enlisted in August:)
Army logistics experience in business (Originally Posted: 04/25/2013)
Or as a junior officer would i just be setting up latrines and stuff without learning value? Better to go combat arms for leadership xp? Would go combat all else being equal for the cool guy shit they do and to have that experience.
Actual title would be quartermaster.
I would want to go to bschool then get into f500 corp dev or strategy later or start my own nutritional supplement business but this is more of a fantasy.
You might increase your chances by going to military. Pretty much every app form asks for it.
I can't speak to the Army but I can tell you every Air Force logistics guy I know hates being a loggy. I would go with combat arms personally. It also sounds like you would find that job more enjoyable anyways. The reality is most civilians can't tell a sniper from a battalion XO. If you aren't in a Special Operations role you are just a generic "military officer" to most people who haven't served. That is both good and bad when you get out depending on the situation. So just do whatever you are more interested in.
Military Experience (Originally Posted: 04/27/2008)
Hey I go to stern, and i was wondering how receptive would BB's be if I was an officer in the Marines as infantry for 3 years, and then get an MBA, and then go to ibanking as an associate?
I was comparing this to just going straight in as an analyst after college. The military and ibanking are both something i want to pursue. I figure that since i'll post likely need the mba somewhere along the line that it might be the smartest way to go to get rid of the military experience and education part. any opinions as how realistic this looks?
to all the smartasses: of course this is assuming i make it out the marines alive...
Military service is very highly regarded by business schools and banks. You should have no trouble if your undergrad record is strong.
Benefits and transition from military experience? (Originally Posted: 07/17/2013)
Early in my senior year of HS I was considering joining the army due to school costs; I changed my mind, but I just received a phone call from the army again I was beginning to consider it again.
In one and a half months I will start my freshman year a non-target then transfer to a semi-target my sophomore year. I am very set on IBD and eventually want to look into transferring into a Hedge Fund.
I am very good at networking, and I'm in contact with several people in varying fields and businesses on WallStreet and feel confident in my ability to reestablish connections if required again. Also, I chose not to do the Army because I thought I would miss my "chance" since it's usually a young persons game, or so I was told.
Here are some my questions:
How did military experience affect your job/internship hunt?
Would you say it was worth it?
Anything else you believe I should know?
How does military experience affect your ability to get into better schools?
Final notes: I asked my network, and they only knew one associate who was in the military and will try to get me in contact with them. I was considering military because of financial/school bonuses I could get when I'm out (free college, a nice savings, VA, Etc.) It's a three year contact with airborne as a paralegal, so a cozy desk job.
First, I'm not trying to dismiss your questions, Im about to make the opposite transition and wanted to give you no BS feedback.
Honestly, you should join the Army because you want to be in the Army not because of any perceived potential future career benefits. If you are looking to do something service-related, there are plenty of great things to do that are less lifestyle-changing than the Army. You probably knew that response was coming, but I am saying that because it is true. Even with 'a cozy desk job' you will be doing PT, getting up early, and have to go through basic, AIT, just like everyone else. You can also deploy and even with the wars drawing down, you never know whats going to happen. If you dont go in with a genuine desire to be a soldier, you are going to hate your life.
That being said, if you want to serve 3 years and then leave to head to finance, thats fine and thats admirable. There is a strong military network in finance. Just know this: those three years are three years that you are not building models and getting to know the industry -- you will be 'behind' those who went the typical analyst route. Your military experience isnt going to trump someone that has great finance experience. That is the basic summary of what I've learned from reaching out to other vets.
This is the answer I was looking for, thanks it really helped!!
Enlist because you want to be a soldier, not because you want to set up networking opportunities 7 years (3 years enlisted + 4 years college) from now.
Also, why is your avatar a picture of the Finance Corps branch insignia? Army Finance has nothing to do with the type of finance discussed on this site, and your prospective MOS (paralegal) is part of the JAG branch, not the Finance branch.
Military Experience on CV (Originally Posted: 11/16/2016)
Hi all,
so I am singaporean and had to serve a mandatory conscription of 2 years in the Army.
My question is: will countries with mandatory conscription like South Korea, Israel, Singapore look upon me as a favourable candidate since every other guy will have served the military in these countries and it becomes a norm for a male candidate to have gone through military service?
Also, how about countries like the US, UK, Hong Kong etc without mandatory conscription? Will it be wise to put down my military experience? Will I be looked upon more favourably since not every job applicant will have military experience listed down in those countries?
Thanks!
Put it on regardless because otherwise you have a gap.
Looking for CV advice for an interesting background (Military) (Originally Posted: 05/16/2017)
Hi Everyone,
I won't bore you with too lengthy an anecdote about my background, but just to cover the quick details...
I served 10 years in the Army, first five as a Signals Intelligence Analyst working in a strategic agency in a variety of roles, basically all to do with collecting, analyzing and reporting on intelligence for various government customers. Got a lot of analytical experience and customer focused (sounds strange to think it could be "customer" focused) experienced which I think I might be able to sell here.
Last 5 years in the Army I completed the section course for special operations (deliberately vague here) and served 5 years in a whole host of roles that built on my analytical and intelligence background, but with the added complexity and tempo you would expect from that type of unit. This included 3 tours of Afghanistan in a direct combat role, so I think I can sell something here too, but for the right reasons (not just because I served overseas, but for the skills and inherent discipline that builds). Served in inter-coalition liaison roles and spent one of my rotations mentoring a team of 30 Afghani soldiers.
After the military a joined Schlumberger in an offshore measurements and directional drilling role which was highly quantitative; essentially a whole lot of excel modeling and trigonometry on the fly to steer gas well through very tight geo-steering windows. I also was the client team's (think Exxon Mobil, Shell, etc) front line manager for the project which often billed out to $15mil a month. On offshore projects the work cycle for a service company is 7 days a week working at least 12 hours a day, but up to 16 while drilling certain well components, so can sympathize with the IB hours...
While bobbing around drilling holes in the ocean I studied for the GMAT and scored sufficiently to gain entry into a top 50 business school in the UK on a full attendance scholarship (covered 100% tuition and flights and accommodation for my family), since attending my course I made it to the final round of an MBB but didn't quite make the grade. I ended up enjoying the financial side of the MBA a lot more than the strategy work in the end anyway, so have changed focus to IB.
I'm really sorry that this story blew out a bit in length, but basically looking for CV advice. I honestly think I have something to offer an IB team (or even S&T potential) but as I am not coming from the standard pool, it is just so bloody difficult to get that across through a CV screen. I would love any advice on the CV front and an happy to take recommendations for a paid CV service, perhaps someone that is familiar with both the Military and the UK banking scene.
Thanks guys & girls.... really appreciate it!
Try networking, maybe search linkedin for other Ex-Military Bankers, or other alumni. GO to networking events and pitch.
Thanks The_Regulator I've got a few good Veteran connections and they have been great sources of information. They have often been able to point me in the right directions for jobs to apply for, but still run into difficulties once the CV gets in front of the hiring managers as the background is just a bit too eclectic.
I think I have narrowed down the CV as the thing that's holding me up, but know it's going to be a tough thing to get right given my circumstances, hence my happiness to pay for the right sort of experience to help me with it.
Thanks again for the advice and input!
Just been looking at the WSO CV writing service. Has anyone used this? if so, does anyone know if they would be equipped to handle a background like mine???
S&T's view towards military experience? (Originally Posted: 11/07/2009)
I'm a junior who will be applying for SA positions soon. As I was writing my cover letters and resume, it came to question,
How's the military experience viewed in the S&T field?
I was deployed at one of the Special Force(non-US) for 16 months, and participated in UN peacekeeping operation in middleeast for 7 months.
Should I highlight this in my resume(or CV)? How much weight should I give them?
Thanks in advance for the reply.
Working under pressure, making quick decisions in stressful situations etc .... Viewed very positively
You should of course highlight this. S&T hires a good number of former military and varsity atheletes. They like the discipline and stamina they require as well as that energetic/forceful personality that often comes with it.
BTW if you are the US I would recommend sending a resume (+ cover letter if necessary) over a CV.
they prob dont give a shit
No one likes you
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