<p>I'm currently a sophomore attending the Univ. of Houston majoring in Finance. I've have steadily maintained a 4.0/4.0 GPA thus far, am involved with several ECs (no leadership positions yet), and have taken/am taking my first couple of business courses (took Microecon. last spring, currently taking Macroecon. & Financial Accounting).</p>
<p>Being that I am in my second year, I have hit the ground running when it comes to seeking internships and possible job experience. I'm currently an internship candidate with INROADS, I'm planning to sign up with SOE sometime soon, and I even have my first real interview with a local Houston energy company for an Accounting/Finance Intern position.</p>
<p>I think I'm off to an alright start thus-far, but the one thing that seems to worry me to death is what I mentioned in the title; work experience. While I have previously held the typical teenage jobs (server, grocery store clerk), my experience when it comes to finance/office/business related jobs is none. </p>
<p>My question to you guys is will this lack of experience in the financial field be a damper on my chances of landing an internship at a financial firm and making a good impression in an interview? How I would address this issue if I was asked about it during an interview?</p>
<p>I ask because sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a perpetual cycle where I'm seeking an internship in order to get real world experience in my field yet my chances of landing one are minimized due to the fact that I'm experience-less. </p>
<p>You guys have all probably been where I currently am at one point, so I thought perhaps some of you could give me a couple of pointers when it comes to dealing with this issue. If you have ANY comments or words of advice for my situation please let me know, I am open to all suggestions!</p>
<p>you have more work experience than many people seeking internships… you need to know how to use the experience to your advantage in an interview. These are attractive skills I would pull from your “typical teenage jobs” that you listed (I’m not exactly sure what you mean by “clerk”):</p>
<ul>
<li>monitored inventory and identified products that were in low supply to facilitate replacement (clerk)</li>
<li>managed competing priorities (server)</li>
<li>worked well under pressure (server)</li>
<li>multitasking with proven record for accuracy and quality service (server)</li>
<li>work well as a member of a team (both)</li>
<li>ability to follow direction and complete tasks as assigned (both)</li>
<li>showed up to work on time and were responsible for working the hours you said you would work (both; responsible enough to keep a schedule)</li>
</ul>
<p>those are the ones that come to mind immediately… even seasoned professionals in this economy are going into completely different fields, wherever they can find work. It is important that you understand the skills you have (aka, you have a proven record of a lot more than “nothing”). Always remember that you are your best asset. If you can’t sell yourself, who will?</p>
<p>So, I would start with the skills that I listed, and look back on the “unrelated” jobs that you had and see if there is more you can add. Hope this was somewhat helpful. Don’t sell yourself short.</p>
<p>Excellent points! To take this a step further, you can really put together a solid resume with the jobs you have had, especially with the help of someone in your school’s career services office.</p>
<p>For reference, I never had an internship; I have had a summer job since I was 14, and the last time I didn’t have a steady job of some sort was the first week of junior year of high school. That experience was as follows: camp counselor, lifeguard, store manager, researcher and restaurants (mostly server, but I’ve literally done every job in a restaurant except saute cook, chef, bar-back, sommelier and owner). If you can, however, show that you have acquired valuable skills during your time in those random jobs, you will have no problem during your interviews.</p>
<p>Other things that you should consider: doing things on campus can also boost your resume. Half of my resume was from my main campus group because half of the applicable work experience I had acquired was via this group! Even though it wasn’t paid, it was still helpful.</p>
<p>Also, don’t get down on yourself for not having a TON of possible internships lined up right now. It is the fall of your sophomore year! Companies don’t even recruit (for the most part) summer interns until the spring because they spend the fall recruiting seniors for FT, post graduate positions.</p>
<p>Getting an internship this year does not determine your desirability next year, when it matters a little more; really, if you do secure an internship this year, congratulations! You will have the advantage of knowing the deal with regard to finance organizations and whether you want to continue in the industry… but you will not be at a distinct disadvantage if you do not secure an internship this year.</p>
<p>You WILL, however, be at a distinct disadvantage if you do not secure an internship between your junior and senior years.</p>