does the first job really matter a lot as where you are going to be in in the future?

[blueblue79]

undefinedundefined undefinedhello, there,,for those who do not know me, i am new here, HELLO~~
i have just found out this fantastic website, can't wait to post my question here and wait for the reply from others. here we go. :wink:

(background)am graduating in less than a month, with major in finance, my ideal field is in the investment banking, however, graduating from infamous school relative to big famous school, and have been sending out resumes to various companies, and get no replies, pretty much demoralizing and frustrating, however, recently just got a reply from a non-profit organization, was given an interview, yeah~.but the question is, i am afraid, since the non-profit organization's field is so much different from investment field, will i be locked in in the future, let say i want to change my career after certain period, and i am alreay afraid i will not be able to do so , because people say when you get into the certain field right after you graduate, you will more likely to be locked that field and is very hard to get out ..is that true? i know i am worrying too much,(which is too bad), but i really want to know whether it is true about the first job which is an important stepping stone to the future career, or should i just keep looking in the investment field, untill the luck finds me.? ....

any responses will be appreciated....!

thanks....

[John0101]

welcome to YW,

If you really want to go into ibanking, you should just stick it out and apply for more ibanking positions and forgo the opportunity in the non-profit. You also might want to try fields related to ibanking. I wouldn't quit the job search so soon and before you even graduate.

But i dunno, im still in college.

[blueblue79]

thank you for the reply,,!

i have thought of that before,about concentrate on applying for investment field related jobs, but have been out job hunting for a while, and got no resplies at all, fear of the fact that i am not graduating from a big famous business school, no big investment banks or firms will even bother to look at the resume,,should i keep looking only in the investment fields???,,, i don't know..any more suggestions ?

[John0101]

If you really want a position within the field keep looking, you might want to apply for internships and or co-ops as well as jobs relating to ibanking. This is the time when you should be more aggressive in your job hunt, make calls, fax them your resume and email along. Coming from a good business school will def help your chances, but your drive is the only real factor that will contribute in you landing the job you want.

[blueblue79]

due to the certain circumstance, i wasn't able to have done intern or co-ops while i was in second or third years year back.so i lack of the experiences that most employers are looking for nowadays, without the backup of big schools and related experiences, it is really difficult to find the career i really want to get into first time, i was told so, there is still a tough market for job hunters out there, pro i shouldn't given up so early ,,again, thank you for your reply, really appreciate!

[missmeow]

You can't get locked away if you continue to apply and interview while you work for the other job.

[blueblue79]

thank you for the reply..

but.? when people look at non-profit organization, people (including myself) always get the idea of " pretty much laidback and slow-pace enviroment relative to private companies, which are with more fast-pace enviroment, wouldn't the potential employers rather look at people with experiences in priviate compaines, than people who work in the non-profit public sector in previous job? ,,

[ellsworth81]

ibanking takes a certain kind of individual ... and it's not for everyone. there's a reason why their turnover rates are pretty high

i suggest calling up some current people in the ibanking world and asking them what it's like, what they do, etc. you might get lucky if you can find someone nice (and with enough time) to talk to you.

[moJo]

my best friend went into ibanking. she's just finishing up her second year, and she's ready to get the hell out. the prime time for ibanking firms to recruit is in the fall, and i forget if they even recruit outside of the fall season. by "recruit", i mean that these firms come to your college campus and do rounds of interviews, and then the final round they fly you out to wherever they are located to interview you. for ibanking, i don't think it's the standard submit-resume, wait for interview call, kind of job. we're talking about the two-year (possibly three-year) positions, right?

[blueblue79]

hi,all.thanks for the replies..!.
yes, i actually have known some individuals who have been working in ibanking for quite a period of time, yeah, very stressful but pretty much success-driven, pretty fancinating though..i think i am gonna like it..:P, and as for the recuriting on campus, as far as i know. the firms will only go to some big famous schools to have campus recruit, there is no way for my school..sigh..sigh..wasn't born to a pair of rich parents..:p..so ,,,
btw. do you guys think the first job really affect the later career in your life? ....any ideas??

[nifer]

thank you for the reply..

but.? when people look at non-profit organization, people (including myself) always get the idea of " pretty much laidback and slow-pace enviroment relative to private companies, which are with more fast-pace enviroment, wouldn't the potential employers rather look at people with experiences in priviate compaines, than people who work in the non-profit public sector in previous job? ,,


i work for a non-profit, and although it is not in the same field as yours (i'm in science), i can tell you that it is not all laidback compared to working in industry. the two just operate on different levels. i've felt that in industry, they are more concerned with the end product. whereas in non-profit/academia, the discovery process is just as important as the end result.


in answering your 1st question, i agree with a previous poster, that you are never locked into a certain type of job as long as you are applying elsewhere and are doing things outside of work that makes you more marketable to the type of company/organization you ultimately want to be with. this being your 1st "real" job, employers know that you are still searching around for what type of position best suits you. they probably dont even expect you to stay that long, since many new grads see their 1st job as a stepping-stone to what they can accomplish in the future.

[>:^|]

Investment bankers are a peculiar breed. I would say stick with the search and let them see your drive and potential. I do think that in certain conservative fields (including investment banking), taking an unrelated job will hurt you in the long run. I also believe that you lose a valuable amount of experience. Good luck.

[blueblue79]

Thanks again for advises!!!

just went to the interview in the non-profit organization,,i don't think i can get the position,,,

get back to the original topic,,i was somehow being told that,,for the ibanking field.you either get in after graduation or not get in later at all.unless you have to go for mba,,if you work for the commercial banks..and later on , you want to get into ibank, that is really difficult,,,,

i do need luck..lots of lots of lucks esp..thanks,,,,!!!

[Faithless]

blueblue79,

Please post your cover letter and / or post interview letter. (Without your name or identifying the company.)

I think we should see your real writing style. Something is bugging me with the extra commas and the accent you put on your words.

[FrankieY18]

get a job and do the same job searching process...now instead of sitting at home searching, you can find some networking..and you also have money coming in regularly....

[blueblue79]

thank you all for the replies....!!!

below is the cover letter and my resume...please give opionions if you do have any..thanks a lot..


***Dear Recruiter:

I am writing to respond to the, which appears on hotjobs.com.

As you can see from my resume, I will be graduating in May from with the Bachelor of Science degree major in Finance and minor in Economics. As a student, I demonstrated strong interest and high academic performance in the courses related to the field of finance, including investment analysis and portfolio management; International trade and finance; Personal finance; Money and banking; financial accounting, Managerial accounting. I am also an active V.P of Accounting and Finance Association in school.

I enjoyed working in a fast-paced environment and will proactively take on a leadership role within my team, if necessary. The fortes in my work habits are my flexibility in responding to constantly changing assignments, enthusiasm, conscientiousness of my duties, and ability to meet deadlines. In addition, I speak fluent Chinese and therefore will be an asset to your company as a bi-lingual team member.

The accompanying resume provides not only an idea of my past achievements, but also of my potential of making a significant contribution to your company. Please feel free to contact me anytime at if there are any questions pertaining my schooling or experience. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future to discuss this position further in depth. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,


Enclosed: my resume***
OBJECTIVE
An enthusiastic, self-motivated individual is interested in the Investment Banking Field
EDUCATION
State University of
Bachelor of Science,
Major: Finance Minor: Economics
Major G.P.A: ; Cumulative G.P.A:

RELATED COURSEWORK
· Financial Accounting · Intermediated Accounting
· Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management · Financial Management & Policy

HONOR AWARD
Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society

STUDY ABROAD
Middlesex University in London Fall 2002-Spring 2003

EXPERIENCES
Avon Sales Representative Spring 2003- Present
· Analyze and determine the existing and prospective customers’ needs.
· Conduct the presentation of the products attributes.
· Go on client calls and follow up clients’ current situation.

Fall 2001-Present
· Oversee the student computer lab and security of the lab.
· Assist students and faculty on proper usage of computer equipment and software programs.
· Manage the proper functioning of the printer, scanner and other laboratory equipments.

Spring 2001-Fall 2001
· Supported and catered to the needs of the office, and performed general clerical duties.
· Answered phones and scheduled appointments for various students groups and faculty members
· Operated photocopiers, fax machines, and other office equipments.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
· Vice President of Accounting and Finance Association at
· Association for Financial Professional · Financial Management Association · NYSSCPA

LANGUAGES
Bilingual in English and Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin)

COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer

Activity
Capitan of “ Relay For Life in Fighting with Cancer” Event
Fund Raising for American Cancer Society

[Faithless]

I have been told that if you graduated with some sort of "Laude", you should definitely note that.

If your resume is primarily college experience based, you should mention the worthwhile projects in your field of study -- especially upper division stuff.

Computer skills. Eh, everyone should be proficient in that stuff.

Activities. I don't think add anything of value.

But that's just me.

[nifer]

^^^

the activities part of the resume lets the employer know that you have outside interests that may not have anything to do with your professional goals. for example, i've been an active member of my undergrad's radio station for some time now, and interviewers always ask me about it.

[Faithless]

That's fine. Not criticising, just critiquing.

I just know that in the interview processes I've been in (a few but not a lot), I've never asked about that stuff of the interviewee.

I wanna get down to brass tacks, and that is, "what have you been doing that is relevant for this job we want from us?"

[holybull101]

Dead ENd jobs:

Call Center
Assistant Manager at XXXXX

[ellsworth81]

if you have cool activities like sex instructor or massage therapist, it creates material to talk about. it can help.

[John0101]

my computer science friends tell me don't go into IT when you graduate, once you go in its like saying your too dumb to do anything else and your basically stuck there.