Recent graduate, Finance major. Now what?

[ChrisPhil]

Hello fellow RFD'ers

I just recently graduated with a B. COMM major in finance. No job experience in a finance or accounting field. My marks are average at best.
Planning on taking on my CFA designation as soon as I get a stable job.

What is a good entry level position I can get? (aside from applying as a csr in a bank)

[coopercold]

With no experience, I think you should jump -- should you be presented with it -- at an opportunity to join a bank branch as a CSR.

You may be able get a job at a discount brokerage -- unlikely, but perhaps -- but basically the same as a CSR, but with more drudgery.

Good luck to you.

[JK400]

Heard starbucks is in need of some baristas.

[HTTP04]

Hello fellow RFD'ers

I just recently graduated with a B. COMM major in finance. No job experience in a finance or accounting field. My marks are average at best.
Planning on taking on my CFA designation as soon as I get a stable job.

What is a good entry level position I can get? (aside from applying as a csr in a bank)

Now, lets compare that to the present situation of others:

Fairly high GPA + Good work experience -> still unemployed or ends up back office

You have no work experience in Finance/Accounting + Average GPA...

I really hope you networked and have connections, otherwise even getting a CSR/Teller position will be difficult for you

If you dont mind me asking, what did you do during the last 4 years of University?

Sorry to break it to you my friend but with your, or lack of, work experience and average GPA you should be thankful if you somehow got an interview for a Bank Teller/CSR position.

[HTTP04]

OP, this is the best advice I can give you: Start networking

If you dont have work experience nor the GPA, atleast have the initiative/balls to go out there and network with other people

Given your situation, even networking wont help you into a front office/middle office job.

If I were you I would start networking on the retail banking/back office side and pray to God that you get an interview for a BT/CSR position.

[saadt1988]

OP, this is the best advice I can give you: Start networking

If you dont have work experience nor the GPA, atleast have the initiative/balls to go out there and network with other people

Given your situation, even networking wont help you into a front office/middle office job.

If I were you I would start networking on the retail banking/back office side and pray to God that you get an interview for a BT/CSR position.

By network, u mean go out talk to ppl and make friends??

[HTTP04]

By network, u mean go out talk to ppl and make friends??

Pretty much.

I guess the correct phrase would be: "get them to like you"

[ChrisPhil]

Thanks for the advice. Seems about right.

[Syne]

The only way someone could get me to like them is if they were naturally chill, genuinely friendly, non-neurotic person with a good nature - and those people by their very nature don't try too hard.

Sort of a catch-22.

[saadt1988]

Pretty much.

I guess the correct phrase would be: "get them to like you"

What if someone is shy and quiet. He will never be successful?

[ChrisPhil]

Being shy and quiet will definitely lower the chances of success depends on the field that you are on. In the corporate world you would get eaten alive im thinking.

[Syne]

I don't know, there's something to be said about the strong, silent type. My uncle was a publisher of a major magazine and he was one of those guys who, while naturally chill and friendly, could silence an entire room with a look. He was never really super chatty, but people liked him because when he did open his mouth, what came out was important; measured. He had what you might call, gravitas.

Now I'm not sure how that translates into the business world, or if it does at all.. but I did want to give an example of someone who wasn't very social, but was also successful and good at his job.

[JK400]

Only the strong survive in the harsh corporate world ChrisPhil. I suggest you step up your game a notch, get out there and NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!!! till you're blue in the face, then network some more. You have to show these corporate hotshots that you have what it takes, the utmost will, determination and charisma it takes to survive in the modern corporate world.

[JK400]

What if someone is shy and quiet. He will never be successful?

That's right. You might as well be the zebra with the broken leg on the Serengeti.

[ChrisPhil]

That is different. Shy and dominant are two different things. I can be quiet but i wont be shy when you need to interact with other people. Shy people are rarely dominant.