Hi Robby, Thanks for your kind comments on the book. Congratulations
on 2 replies out of 30 sent; that is an impressive response rate!
However, I hear your frustration that neither response has yet led to
the position you seek. Here are a few ideas for your consideration:

1. Do more "Sherlock Holmes" work! Go to http://www.google.com.sg/ or
metacrawler.com and search various combinations of "internship
equities research singapore" (withOUT the quotes) and see if anything
exciting pops up. I understand you when you say there are very few
firms offering winter internships; I ask you to keep in mind that all
you need is one, one reputable firm. It will be hard to find, and you
can find it anyway.

2. Forget about who is advertising open positions. If you had a magic
wand, where (at what firms) would you do your dream internship? Send
them an enthusiastic inquiry letter and your resume.

3. Remember -- you're not supposed to have experience! You're a recent
graduate. You're enthusiastic. You're willing to learn ("I gave up my
summer holidays and the chance for an internship to study for my CFA
exams. I am interested in entering the finance industry and be a
research analyst and hence my enrollment in the CFA Program. To date,
I have passed the level 2 exams but am without any work experience.").

4. Go to Fortune and Money and similar publications' websites and
search for lists of the top financial firms. Send inquiry letters to
all the firms with the very best reputations.

I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best on your path!

Respectfully,
Scott Bennett






--- In askthecareerguru@yahoogroups.com, "sim_robby" <sim_robby@...>
wrote:
>
> Dear Scott,
>
> I really enjoy reading (and re-reading) your book. It covers so much
> using so little and with humor too. I am faced with a problem and
> would really like to hear your advice. I am a fresh grad residing in
> Singapore and have been looking for a job for about 3 months now. I
> know 3 months might not sound long to others and I shouldn't be
> panicking, but it doesn't help when all the friends around me are
> employed.
>
> My resume is set up according to your instructions and I have always
> tried to respect the reader's time. I kept a clear focus and only
> applied to openings which I am interested. However, replies were very
> few (2 in 30 odd applications) and I get the feeling that my resume
> and cover letter isn't doing what they are supposed to do.
>
> I get the (gut) feeling that the problem lies with my lack of work
> experience. I gave up my summer holidays and the chance for an
> internship to study for my CFA exams. I am interested in entering the
> finance industry and be a research analyst and hence my enrollment in
> the CFA Program. To date, I have passed the level 2 exams but am
> without any work experience.
>
> I badly need your advice as to what I should do; there are very few
> companies offering winter internships over here and I really want to
> do equities research. During these months, I have been learning Excel
> and VBA and reading books on equities and books by Dale Carnegie. I
> would really appreciate if you will give some advice to a fresh
> graduate like me. Thank you for your time Scott.
>
> Yours Sincerely,
> Robby
>