Ask HN: I've really botched my job search, help Is there any recourse?

2 points by weliveagain ↗ HN
I grew up in first-gen household with a family retail business. I got into a good school and worked full-time while earning my undergrad. I was able to complete an one-year MBA at the same school. I went on an exchange, which made me miss a major recruiting cycle. I came back and interviewed with a firm over two months, that ended up falling through because they lost the project they were going to staff me on. Its been almost 6 months+ since graduation and most interviews have slipped through my fingers. Networking has really led no where for me ( a couple of referrals).

TL:DR - I'm left with no brand on my resume, an overpriced degree, and a large gap on my resume after graduation.

Any advice, resources or someone to talk to would be appreciated!

4 comments

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It always depends which job you are looking for. My view during recruitment into quant / trading roles at a financial institution was: I don't care about grades or courses you took but show me your projects and research you were participating in.
Thanks for the the reply.

I actually do have quite a bit of project work/extracurriculars. I volunteered in Microfinance, did a consulting project in China and was an analyst in my uni's endowment fund.

I will try to highlight/show that.

Two more things: * Don't give up - exercise a lot to keep your mind in check. * Set up simple rule that each week you have to meet two people for a coffee / chat / call. Work hard to make sure you have people line up in your calendar.
Strike out on your own and network with others in your field. You traded freedom for a job, Freedom's price is invention. Whatcha got? Create a killer app.