How This 21-Year-Old Finance Grad Overcame 30 Job Rejections to Land His Dream Role

The Job Search Struggle

Meet Matthew Behara, a 21-year-old finance graduate from Toronto who faced an unexpected challenge after completing his Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies at Western University. Despite having completed two internships in the pensions industry and receiving positive feedback on his resume during his student years, Matthew experienced a staggering 30 job rejections out of approximately 60 applications, with only one resulting in a phone interview.

The Proactive Approach

Matthew didn't let rejection define his job search. He became proactive in networking, attending job fairs, reaching out to industry contacts through LinkedIn, and securing referrals from about a dozen employees at target companies. His dream job? Asset management sales in the finance sector.

The Experience Gap Challenge

Matthew's main hurdle was transitioning from his administrative internship roles to more finance-focused positions. During his third year, he couldn't secure a finance-related internship, leaving him feeling he lacked specific experience in his desired field. Instead, he focused on his involvement with Western's ACE case competition club, where students tackle real-world business problems.

Expert Advice from a Former Recruiter

Jen Narayan, owner of Jen Rose Coaching and former recruiter, identified several key strategies that could help Matthew and other new graduates overcome similar challenges.

Broaden Your Target Roles

Instead of focusing exclusively on finance roles, Jen suggests applying to entry-level consulting positions that would value his ACE competition background. She also recommends considering data and operations analyst roles where his back-office experience and data-processing skills would be valuable assets.

Reframe Your Work Experience

Matthew's resume needed significant reworking. Jen advised using more general job titles like "operations analyst intern" instead of specific titles that might not resonate with target companies. She also suggested highlighting extracurricular activities and competition experience at the top of his resume to better showcase his relevant skills.

Be More Selective in Applications

Rather than applying to dozens of positions, Jen recommends focusing on three to five well-suited jobs that align closely with qualifications and career goals. This targeted approach prevents burnout and provides more realistic expectations about response rates.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence

Matthew should continue networking on LinkedIn but focus on connecting with early-career professionals who were recently in his position. Jen also advises updating his LinkedIn headline to highlight core skills and future aspirations rather than past experiences that might not be relevant to target companies.

Consider Professional Development

Matthew is considering pursuing a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, which Jen confirms is a valuable step. She notes that even registering for the program can be included on his resume to demonstrate commitment to professional development.

Key Takeaways for Job Seekers

This case study highlights the importance of strategic job searching rather than mass applications. By broadening target roles, reframing experience, being selective in applications, optimizing online presence, and considering additional certifications, new graduates can significantly improve their job search outcomes.