Getting a better job...

[Al B. Sure!]

I Don't know if it's a bad thing. I always ignored them since even the worst employees can get convincing recommendations.

I haven't been including them but I suppose you're right. I'd imagine a Lieutenant Colonel has some weight behind his rank even in the private sector but the inclusion of his recommendation would probably seem odd.


Talking to people on industry forums, it seems that I'm somewhat SOL in general and my best bet would be to go the MBA route. I had intended to work in the industry for 2 years to add value to my resume for a top MBA program, especially given that even starting the process now would mean I wouldn't attend B-school until 2017 anyway. The hiring process is geared towards new college graduates and experienced professionals who have already worked in the industry, not experienced hires from non-finance roles.

I will need an MBA to be an attractive investment.

This doesn't change the primary goal of getting out of my current position but means that applying for bulge bracket IB positions is not going bear fruit. That means I'll have to work just to work. I hate working just to work. I want to work somewhere where everyday, I add value to my resume and skills. Otherwise, I'll just be wasting the next two years of my life.

[Elok]

My (worthless) gut feeling is that it probably won't matter a great deal either way. I don't think anybody's going to be offended by the addition of a letter of recommendation--I wouldn't be, anyway--but I don't know how many doors it will really open. If I knew how employers actually decide, I'd have a much better job history than I do.

[Al B. Sure!]

Regardless, my current Resume and Cover Letter are attached in .pdf format

[KrazyHorse]

Nice touch dropping your date of graduation from the resume. I would be a lot more specific about what area of the bank you want to work in - otherwise nobody will understand what you are looking for. If it's S&T then explain why you want that. If it's ibanking, then explain why you want that.

[KrazyHorse]

Are you specifically applying for the Goldman Sachs or is that just a stand-in?

https://youtu.be/Lx4poQw1mZo

[Al B. Sure!]

Nice touch dropping your date of graduation from the resume. I would be a lot more specific about what area of the bank you want to work in - otherwise nobody will understand what you are looking for. If it's S&T then explain why you want that. If it's ibanking, then explain why you want that.

I'll take anything! I don't really have any preference at this point in my career. I will have to flesh out and pretend I really want something over another, though. The GS cover letter I attached in my last post was just for their general resume submission (which strikes me as a big black hole, even moreso than most online systems).


On another note, there are some openings for Marine Logistics Officers in Stuttgart, Germany at the start of the fiscal year (October). I'll have to send my request ASAP, though. The pay will be twice what I am getting now even without any 'per diem' which could potentially push me close to six-figures. I don't know that I would be adding any further private sector credibility to my resume, however, but it would be better work, for better pay, and allow me to build further connects.

[Al B. Sure!]

Are you specifically applying for the Goldman Sachs or is that just a stand-in?
https://youtu.be/Lx4poQw1mZo

GS is one of the companies I'm applying to.

[KrazyHorse]

"I'll take anything" is exactly what you don't want to say. You are applying for a specific role within the bank, in one of the major business lines. "Analyst" is just a title. Are you passionate about trading? Or risk management? Or wealth management? Or dealmaking? As a hiring manager I don't want somebody who doesn't have some idea (other than possibly some undergrad who is still in school). Try applying for roles that you want and that you think you have a chance of landing. If necessary, put down one thing but leave yourself open to other possibilities.

[pchang]

I would take Stuttgart over Philly.

[onodera]

Stuttgart is nice. Learn German and you could apply for a finance job abroad.

[kentonio]

He's from Philly though, the culture shock of peace loving socialist Europe might kill him.

[Al B. Sure!]

Stuttgart is nice. Learn German and you could apply for a finance job abroad.

Does the Goldman Sachs have an office in Stuttgart?

[C0ckney]

why not just do it? it will be better in every way than your current situation: more interesting and better paid work; the chance to live abroad; to learn a new language and experience a different culture; to meet more people who may be of some use to you in the future.

[Imran Siddiqui]

And we could have an "Alby in Germany" running thread. Win-win-win!

edit: though I have to guess your gf would not be terribly pleased by that.

[onodera]

why not just do it? it will be better in every way than your current situation: more interesting and better paid work; the chance to live abroad; to learn a new language and experience a different culture; to meet more people who may be of some use to you in the future.

Plus Ablie could pass for a Turk.