So that's what happens when you ask 'Why did you reject me?'
I have been having no success. I've applied to BB's, boutiques, asset management firms, accounting firms, and retail banks. Nothing but form email rejections. Not even a phone interview.
I am not one to just assume and accept that someone out there was better qualified or the firm was looking for a different type of candidate. I need to know why so I can improve as a candidate, market myself better, emphasize certain skills, learn new skills, etc. I bet a lot of you reading this are the same way.
Unfortunately, the trite "We have decided to pursue other candidates who better fit the job qualifications..." is not a critique you can use.
A little about me:
I'm a 30 year old finance major/econ minor with a 3.6+ GPA (3.8+ major) from a non-target (but very large) state school. I have three years experience in accounting for a major bank and served as a Marine officer.
I'm the living embodiment of 'no relevant experience' for experienced positions and 'too much experience' for entry-level positions.
Fortunately, I do have the balls to call companies that reject me so impersonally. The form rejections are so trite. How can you develop a plan to improve your qualifications and sell yourself with such lack of feedback?
Since I have yet to even fetch a phone interview, it's a challenge even figuring out who to talk to. I've so far only gotten into contact with HR managers and recruiters.
Surprisingly, when you do get in contact with them, they are able to pull up your resume within seconds with your name.
So far I've had the most success getting in touch with the people behind the entry-level positions/programs.
Unfortunately, the feedback I have gotten, while apologetic, is not inspiring to those in a similar position.
"The position is for someone with no experience."
"I understand how challenging it is to not have experience in X, but unfortunately our program is for hiring undergraduates with no experience at all."
"Some other smaller firms have the programs you are looking for, focused on those with experience in other fields. Our program is only for those with no experience."
Huh. It seems so counter-intuitive to me that experience is a bad thing. They seem to be under some rigid guidelines so they wouldn't budge when I pointed out the benefits of diverse experiences and a proven work ethic.
I'll continue calling and update this thread with more responses.
The analyst programs you are targeting were not meant for you. They were meant for young guns with literally no experience. All major banks have a veterans programs (that can sometimes land you very high roles, such as associate or VP). You should be targeting those programs. They were made to find people like you.
Hi FinanceGuy,
Apparently not. I was ruled ineligible for veterans integration programs because I have experience.
I'm in a catch 22.
There is very little incentive to explain why we dinged someone to that person, a lot of disincentives that urge us not to.
while you can't lie by making things up to put on your resume, you can leave things out. so, if you really want to pass the initial screen for "entry level" positions, just leave out your prior experience, and apply to a few firms. Be just another college grad, and see how that works out for you.
since entry level jobs also want "young" you should omit dates that give away your age (such as graduation dates)
That's just gonna fuck things up for him when he goes to the final round/has to pass the background heck after offer..
Omitting things out (like past jobs that lasted over a year) can be as bad as straight up lying. What you're suggesting him to do is just what I'm talking about.
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