If only I had seen this a few weeks ago, volante might be earning a pay check right now. http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-as-a-Bank-Teller
At least volante99 is young and something will come up eventually. Some middle-aged dudes at the call center probably had kids to support and had to be thinking: “boy I just reached a new low, now I won’t be even allowed to take a sh!t in peace”. Maybe there’s a 300-pound restroom supervisor yelling: “Hey PTCrook!, you better cut those browns or else you’ll get charged for your right to use the cr@pper AND will take an additional 30 calls unpaid, damn it!”
Ask yourself, why do you you want to be a bank teller? Are you in it for the pay? Often in many cases bank tellers must do a lot of work and have a great deal of responsibility, but do not get paid much. If you enjoy working with the general public and want to meet new people, this could be the right job for you! I am doing it for the money…
cookthebooks Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > you can’t just collect unemployment though, you > need to be unemployed from some place. But if he’s a recent college grad and has been unemployed for however long he has been, and for whatever reason he’s been perpetually unsuccessful in his pursuits…isn’t that a reason for him to collect unemployment? I don’t think you have to be fired/laid off in order to collect, but maybe I misunderstand.
Part-time Crook Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > At least volante99 is young and something will > come up eventually. Some middle-aged dudes at the > call center probably had kids to support and had > to be thinking: “boy I just reached a new low, now > I won’t be even allowed to take a sh!t in peace”. This was exactly my thoughts. As much as I was feeling sorry for myself, seeing the middle aged guy in his fancy suit struggling with the “speed typing” test in the cubicle next to me really put it into perspective. I can’t imagine; maybe being an ex-executive, interviewed and scrutinized by some punk 25 year old kid who barely graduated from high school, for some job a monkey could do. The whole thing was pretty depressing to watch. I hope he was more successful than I was, but, honestly, I wouldn’t wish that job on my worst enemy.
during high school i worked retail with a woman with a phd in engineering. but she was from eastern europe and i guess her education didnt count here. anyways, the engineering organization or something like that was making her do beginning courses in a topic she did her thesis on. she cried everyday and i didnt know what to do.
volante99 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Yeah I’ve got a similar job hunt horror story. > Recently applied to a call center for a wireless > company. Get a call from HR who told me to come in > for an interview. I come in at noon, thinking it > will take about an hour. > > They led me into a auditorium filled with about > 100 desperate applicants, of every demographic > (from kids in baseball caps and ripped jeans to > sad looking middle aged men in expensive suits). > > Someone from HR shows us a power point. She told > us about the job, and how would be company slaves > from 7am till 12am/7 days a week, they would own > us for $11.50 an hour, how we would be docked pay > if we spend more than X amount of minutes in the > bathroom per week etc etc, and anyone who had a > problem with these conditions should leave > immediately. > > What followed were 5 hours of interviews and 2 > computer based assessment tests comprised of > costumer service skills, brain teasers, and > personality tests. The interviews were made up of > questions focusing solely on customer service, > zero questions asked on my degree, my extra > curricular activities or interests. So, despite > having a finance background, I had to convince > them that my goal in life was to work for a call > center. > > I didn’t leave the center until after 5pm, > needless to say I was STARVING (I think this was > part of the plan; during my 2 on 1 interview, they > both were eating cookies!) > > Two weeks later I got an email rejection letter > saying my qualifications didn’t match the job. > FML > > Well, now I know what a “super day” probably feels > like, though I never imagined I would have to go > through that for a call center job… this is hilarious. keep up the entertainment volante99, your break will come though bro. You really need to consider moving out of the midwest.
“So, despite having a finance background, I had to convince them that my goal in life was to work for a call center.” Dude, you’re funny as hell. In all seriousness, this has been the most hilarious thread I’ve seen on here in a long time. This line here just made me bust out laughing.
kkent Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > volante99 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Hey, speaking of Wells Capital Management, does > > anyone know their email format? One of their > head > > honchos is an alumnus, and I’d like to talk > with > > him, I just don’t know how to get his email… > > > first.last@wellsfargo.com > > John Smith > > john.smith@wellsfago.com > > But some people will have their middle initial. I > have some contacts over at Wells Fargo and might > be able to get his address if you send me his > name. > > vt2007@hotmail.com volante99. Say someone’s name was Jon Z Doe. DoeJZ@wellsfargo.com
volante99 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I’m sorry I should have been more clear, 7am to > 12am, meaning you had to be willing to work any > time within those hours, and management would > decide what hours you would work on a weekly > basis, adding up to no more than 40hrs a week. > > So one week they would tell you to come in from > 3pm to midnight, and then the next week noon to > 9pm etc…5 days work week, with no two > consecutive days off WTF… I didn’t know jobs like that even existed.
I wonder if it would be better not to work at all as opposed to being a bank teller. If you weren’t working, you could always do other stuff like attend classes, help with a family business, etc. I almost feel like being a bank teller would be a black mark on your resume if you had any aspirations of getting into front-office finance. Phrased differently, I’d rather hire a guy that was helping with a family business or taking care of sick parents than someone that voluntarily chose to work as a bank teller, as if they couldn’t find anything better. Thoughts?
I think customer service is a great skill to sell. Learn how t odeal with clients and learn how to sell. These are literally the front-line for many larger financial institutions.
Making it in finance is always tough. back office doesn’t count. I’m talking asset management, ibanking, trading, etc… Unfortunately, front office is like a elite club, and the ranks tend to keep it that way. Breaking in is really tough, unless you come from a top top school or have a cousin already on the inside. I would rather spend full time study and move back home in the meantime,
numi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I wonder if it would be better not to work at all > as opposed to being a bank teller. If you weren’t > working, you could always do other stuff like > attend classes, help with a family business, etc. > I almost feel like being a bank teller would be a > black mark on your resume if you had any > aspirations of getting into front-office finance. > Phrased differently, I’d rather hire a guy that > was helping with a family business or taking care > of sick parents than someone that voluntarily > chose to work as a bank teller, as if they > couldn’t find anything better. > > Thoughts? Certainly nothing wrong with taking care of sick parents, but I wouldn’t view working for the family business more positively than working as a bank teller. Because we’re looking at it from the perspective of interviewing for a finance position down the road, both were just a way to pay the bills in a tough economy. In some ways, I would even take a negative view of the family business: (i) maybe nobody else would hire him, or (ii) what if he actually wants to return to the family business in a few years and working for me is just a way to do something else for a while. I certainly wouldn’t suggest that someone collect unemployment instead of working. We already have enough people sucking the rest of us dry.
numi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I wonder if it would be better not to work at all > as opposed to being a bank teller. If you weren’t > working, you could always do other stuff like > attend classes, help with a family business, etc. > I almost feel like being a bank teller would be a > black mark on your resume if you had any > aspirations of getting into front-office finance. > Phrased differently, I’d rather hire a guy that > was helping with a family business or taking care > of sick parents than someone that voluntarily > chose to work as a bank teller, as if they > couldn’t find anything better. > > Thoughts? And how do you pay rent ? ( Assuming you don’t eat and don’t drive a car or take a bus). You still have to live somewhere. Unless you have someone willing to support you for the basics, what “realistic” alternative does he have.
If you really want to make it this is what I would do 1) I would work every job I can find, waitor, bus boy, tutor, whatever and save every penny you can. While keep looking for that entry level investment job in your area. 2) Purchase old 2008/9 CFA level 1 books for cheap and start studyin. Make sure you can pass it on the first time around. 3) Volunteer/save the environment/Big Brothers, etc. whatever you are interested in 4) Start email people u know in major finance cities like Chicago/Boston/NYC 5) After a year and with your savings moving to a bigger finance city and work your hookups for that entry level BO or MO job, you now have a decent pitch… “worked 4 jobs/volunteered/moved across the country to pursue dreams…” I’m pretty sure you can get a BO job in Boston making 33k/yr. Pass level 1, bust your @ss at work, and bust your @ss some more because nobody in Boston cares about some kid who went to a top 100 college from the midwest. But they do care about you being smart and hardworking.
You guys bring up some good points. I wasn’t sure if the guy was living at home or not; my first inclination if I were out of work and couldn’t find alternatives would be to move back home since rent is the biggest ordinary expense for most people. storko also pointed out some of the good “intangibles” to be gained from being a bank teller. Lastly, BiPolarBoyBoston’s suggestion of getting involved with local organizations and volunteer programs is excellent; they’re a great way for you to keep your mind and body sharp, while also giving you the opportunity to connect with other professionals. People tend to identify better with others when there’s a common interest, rather than just your approaching them and asking for a job. I’ve had a number of friends gain introductions to firms through someone they met at a softball or volleyball function.
BiPolarBoyBoston Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you really want to make it this is what I would > do > > 1) I would work every job I can find, waitor, bus > boy, tutor, whatever and save every penny you can. > While keep looking for that entry level investment > job in your area. > > 2) Purchase old 2008/9 CFA level 1 books for cheap > and start studyin. Make sure you can pass it on > the first time around. > > 3) Volunteer/save the environment/Big Brothers, > etc. whatever you are interested in > > 4) Start email people u know in major finance > cities like Chicago/Boston/NYC > > 5) After a year and with your savings moving to a > bigger finance city and work your hookups for that > entry level BO or MO job, you now have a decent > pitch… “worked 4 jobs/volunteered/moved across > the country to pursue dreams…” > > I’m pretty sure you can get a BO job in Boston > making 33k/yr. Pass level 1, bust your @ss at > work, and bust your @ss some more because nobody > in Boston cares about some kid who went to a top > 100 college from the midwest. But they do care > about you being smart and hardworking. Yeah, this is almost EXACTLY my plan…except getting to step 1 has been excruciatingly hard. I do live at home, rent free. I feel pathetic that I can’t land even the most basic of jobs, although I believe part of the problem lies in the fact that I live in a college town, where, literally, 33% of the population is 18-22. So, naturally, for every grocery bagger job out there, 75-100 people are going to apply. I’m sure it’s compounded by the horrible economy. But yeah, my basic plan is to get job, live at home, network (I’ve got good alumni contacts in the TC, NYC, and Boston), take a couple accounting classes (fulfill some CPA requirements, just in case), sit for CFA lvl 1 in Dec., save up around $15k, and then get the f out of here.
Speaking of networking, numi, you work in private equity correct? One of my alumnus contacts is a co-founder of a middle market buyout shop (a former Blackstone guy), and I’d really like to talk with him, to shoot the breeze if nothing else. I know *a little* about PE, valuation, and LBO but are there any good talking points or topics (besides our alma mater) I could use to make a decent impression? I feel a little intimidated and way out of my league with this one.
You are correct when you say that you are way out of your league with trying to get that PE job, unless they recruit out of undergraduate (which it doesn’t sound like they do). However, it’s still worth contacting the guy to set up an informational interview to learn about his career path, how he got into banking/PE, etc…the biggest thing you can offer is your intellectual curiosity and genuine fascination with what he does. Don’t try to talk financial metrics with him, but do try to have cogent reasons for why you’re interested in banking/PE and why you’re interested in what he does. If you write to him, you need to demonstrate that you are prepared and knowledgeable, but even more importantly (for your age), you need to be enthusiastic and gracious. If the guy even gives you 10 minutes of his time, that’s precious and you have to be sure to respect that.