Finance Job questions - Page 4

derosnec · #31 10-17-2006, 07:29 PM

doing mba at nyu (part time) majoring in quant fin (courses in bonds/swaps, derivatives, volatility, aribtrage, etc). no work experience in finance. in my early 30s. i've talked with career counselors, alumni, etc., but in your opinion, what steps should i take to get my foot in the door? rate the difficuly. also, how important are grades (poker hurt my grades in a few classes).

chisness · #32 10-17-2006, 07:42 PM

How much do the 3.0 vs. 3.5 vs. 3.8 vs. ~4.0 differences matter? Can you work in a field like engineering, get MBA, then join one of these firms? Will they still look at undergrad GPA? When they look at undergrad GPA do they look at transcript or just GPA?

tannenj · #33 10-17-2006, 08:37 PM

in general -- put poker on the resume, or keep it off the resume? and if the answer is keep it off, how about mentioning it in interviews?

rock1 · #34 10-17-2006, 08:40 PM

GPA generally helps get you in the door...3.5 vs 4 doesnt matter that much...u can definitely work as an engineer and then get your MBA...infact, MBA is a good way for anyone in any field change what they are doing (its not what you learn, its the opportunity to interview with the companies that come to the school)...they may look at your transcript...don't lie about GPA - could kill any career aspirations

chisness · #35 10-17-2006, 08:45 PM

Rock, TY. Of course would never lie, just was wondering because they might give more room for lower GPA if they see B's were earned in Wireless Communications Systems or something not History of Dinosaurs.

rock1 · #36 10-17-2006, 08:48 PM

definitely put it in the interest section...if they ask about it, talk about it...people in finance love/play a lot of poker...if it is something you are successful with, talk about it without sounding like empire...IF they dont ask about it, be careful about bringing it up.

rock1 · #37 10-17-2006, 08:56 PM

to be honest, in sales/trading dont think it will matter that much...in banking/consulting, they care about GPA more and maybe they will notice...but this will not be the deal breaker...either they like you enough that it wont matter, or they wont before they get to your transcript

rock1 · #38 10-17-2006, 09:05 PM

not enough info to rate difficulty...if you are talking to career counslers, alumni, sending out as many resumes as you can, you are on the right track...grades do matter if you have nothing else differentiating you...good luck

john kane · #39 10-17-2006, 09:21 PM

What i am wondering is whether all this trading,inv.banking etc is all that its cracked up to be? Of course i want to be filthy rich, but given my track record i just dont think its in my mindset to give up enjoyment to make money (for example i never turn down the pub to play online poker, when i do go down the pub ill spend a fair bit, often end out going to a stripjoint, and sometimes end out in a decent hotel to sleep for like 5 hours then go home). so part of me thinks, well, even if i could get a job (which i very much doubt) in trading would it really be for me? I'd never get any real enjoyment out of being constantly pressured, constantly working.

I think i have a chronic short term complex - i dont see the point in doing something for a year to have a good time the following year when i feel i can have a good time in both years anyway. I also think that you need to set a limit. If your always striving for more, you'll never enjoy what you've got imo. Sod it, ive got my health, a great family and a great bunch of friends. Im sure id be happy if i could get my accountancy qualification, rent with a few friends for a few years till my wage goes up and then hopefully put down a deposit on a house. Maybe pick up a alright looking wife a few years after that. Generally just enjoying myself, going away for weekends now and again. Part of me thinks that living the trading/inv.banking lifestyle would be intense in a great sense, but then part of me thinks what a waste of my 20s. If i need $x to enjoy myself and be happy, wtf is the point in earning $x+y if it means i hate getting up every morning. And yes, i know accountancy is very dull - ive seen my brother just qualify as one after 3 years, but id prefer a dull 9-5 job than have a job i couldnt stand 8-8.

also i think there is the social norm/pressure is very influential. it always comes across that the higher paid job you have the more successful youve been. im sure this is true, but getting in the mind of someone on a huge wage working his butt off, will he really be having as good time as its made out to be?

maybe ive just developed a fear of working hard. i think this is true. i dont ever do anything which is particular taxing nor means getting up in the mornings. pretty much nothing. for the last 3 years.

on a final note i think playing poker has ruined my concept of having to work hard to earn money. im like 'sod it, ill be able to make decent money somehow, something will come along', rather than, 'i need to work my butt off to be able to afford an awesome house with an awesome car living the high life'

meh, what a long post, just ive spent about 14 hours doing not a lot else other than filling out application forms and so its on my mind a lot. also im not trying to rinse accountancy, if i could get into a firm right now id grab it with both hands, just im wondering why everyone seems not go for it and think that trading equities or whatever is the best future for themselves.

ps. i write a lot better on my forms, just on internet forums i dont bother.

john kane · #40 10-17-2006, 09:25 PM

ps. would i stand any chance even if i applied? i have no proper work experience bar 'financial assistant' for a friends company and my one hope is i organised and ran the largest poker tournament held in the uk (at the time). im majoring in Economics from a pretty decent university. id like to think id be good at interviews, but id need to go on some massive learning sessions about whatever division i went for.