How Not To Apply For A Banking Job

Posted by John Carney, Oct 06, 2006, 2:17pm

kittydance.jpgThis black clad young man [in the photo we have now replaced with a small picture of a dancing kitten] is Aleksey Vayner, Yale student and prospective investment banker. He recently applied for a job at a major investment bank (at least one) and included this video resume entitled “Impossible Is Nothing.”

It’s set up as a faux-interview with Aleksey. He begins by instructing us with all the confidence of a motivational speaker: “Success is an internal transformation. It’s not an external event.” We see him lift weights (complete with subtitles telling us that he’s bench pressing 405 lbs). He skis. He plays tennis. He even dances! (“If you’re going to dance, then DANCE! But do it with passion,” he says.)

Watch closely. You may be interviewing young Aleksey soon.

Impossible Is Nothing [AlekseyVayner.com]

Update: Sadly, Aleksey's site is down, and the video with it. The links above are dead.

Updatier: Horray! The smart kids over at IvyGate made a copy and put it up on YouTube. So if you haven't see it yet you can hurry over there or watch it right here at DealBreaker.

0Recommend this! 53Comments
Posted in: Aleksey Vayner, Banking Culture, Business Wisdom, Video

Comments

Posted by Poseidon, Oct 06, 2006 3:11PM

You have got to be kidding. This is a joke, right? How would he ever get any work done being that in love with himself?

Posted by joe, Oct 06, 2006 3:13PM

i don't get it. supposedly he runs vayner capital http://www.vaynercapital.com/. why would he need a job on the street? (other than because vayner capital is probably a complete joke that has a website filled with more buzz words than a game of banker bingo)

Posted by John Carney, Oct 06, 2006 3:29PM

We still staring at the video with disbelief ourselves. At first we thought, this cannot be real. But as Aleksey taught us, Impossible is Nothing.

Posted by In the Industry, Oct 06, 2006 3:51PM

The Vayner Capital web site is rather bogus. No there, there. Must have been a school project "Design a Web Site for a Start Up Investment Management Firm".

I am sure there are laws, however, about holding yourself out there and misrepresentation

Posted by Mike, Oct 06, 2006 3:52PM

Interested in potentially investing with Vayner Capital, "located in New York, New York," I decided to read through their website a bit. It was the firm's investment philosophy that finally sold me: "Never Lose Money."

http://www.vaynercapital.com/philosophy.html

Posted by Alexsander, Oct 06, 2006 4:13PM

only one word to describe this: gay

Posted by CT Analyst, Oct 06, 2006 4:16PM

I love the mission statement. The VCM Truths are how I intend to live my life especially Truth 1. Our clients and our people are our only assets.

Posted by In the Industry, Oct 06, 2006 4:25PM

More from the Our Philosophy "Because potentially profitable market exposure is limited by the tolerance for risk, any reduction in this risk offers the opportunity for an increased risk-adjusted reward.

Posted by Grammer Nerd, Oct 06, 2006 4:38PM

My god, I love "professional" websites laden with typos:

Investment Philosophy :

Our investment approach is founded on several key principles.

Markets are competitive – Because of this Vayner Capital Management does not to specialize in a niche market, instead we are open to quality investment opportunities where ever they may be available.

Understand Your Investment – Outmost confidence in, and understanding of the investment is required before an investment can be made. Fundamental and quantitative research is utilized in analyzing every company.

Never Lose Money – The philosophy behind the Manager’s investment approach is based on the idea that the best defense is the best offence. A wise and diligent management of risk is of paramount importance, not only in the protection of account assets, but also in the maximization of its appreciation. Because potentially profitable market exposure is limited by the tolerance for risk, any reduction in this risk offers the opportunity for an increased risk-adjusted reward. The Manager\"s primary goal in risk management is the maintenance of consistent risk exposure relative to the account size. To maintain consistent risk exposure, the Manager employs a set of comprehensive proprietary risk-management strategies.

Posted by Greenwich Academy, Oct 06, 2006 5:03PM

His bio states:

"Mr. Vayner is an author of Womens Silent Tears (available from the published at www.lulu.com/alekseyvayner), a unique gender-focused perspective on the Holocaust in Eastern Europe...Mr. Vayner was educated at Yale University. While at Yale he immersed himself in the curriculum of the Yale School of Management. In addition he competed professionally in several sports, and studied the psychology of personal development, and intelligence."

I swear, this makes me want to vomit.

Posted by Cos Cob, Oct 06, 2006 5:05PM

Who's the cute Asian chick he's 'dancing' with? I think I've seen her somewhere before...

Posted by GJ, Oct 06, 2006 5:07PM

Perhaps the best part of this all (besides the "18 and over" warning on his website, the various "body sculpting" photos of him, the "height weight and chest size" dimensions, the Alex Triplett III-esque "more than a beautiful face" self-shine, the fact that he did not play on the Yale tennis team, and the fact the he is the only member of the investment team at Vayner Capital) is that his title in the credits of the video is "CEO and Professional Athlete"

Posted by Alfonz Zbignew, Oct 06, 2006 5:12PM

Dudes, you totally crashed the guy's server.

Fame is a bitch.

Posted by paulus, Oct 06, 2006 5:15PM

HE JUST TOOK THE SITE DOWN!! :-(

Oh Dang! Aleksey - why did you have to go out and spoil all the fun?

I did a WHOIS search on his money-management website and found his contact info below. Maybe we could all write him to put it back up - or give him a call - and ask him why he made the goofy narcissitic vid in the first place?


Visit AboutUs.org for more information about VAYNERCAPITAL.COM
AboutUs: VAYNERCAPITAL.COM

Domain name: VAYNERCAPITAL.COM

Registrant Contact:
Vayner Capital Management LLC.
Aleksey Vaynner (aleksey.vayner@gmail.com)
+1.2034347513
Fax: none
175 Park Street 3A
New Haven, CT 06511
US

Administrative Contact:
Vayner Capital Management LLC.
Aleksey Vaynner (aleksey.vayner@gmail.com)
+1.2034347513
Fax: none
175 Park Street 3A
New Haven, CT 06511
US

Technical Contact:
Vayner Capital Management LLC.
Aleksey Vaynner (aleksey.vayner@gmail.com)
+1.2034347513
Fax: none
175 Park Street 3A
New Haven, CT 06511
US

Posted by paulus, Oct 06, 2006 5:19PM

Uzbekistan is right next to Tajikistan. He could team up with Borat and do a Dancing with the Stars from Central Asia!

Jegshumesh!!

Posted by In the Industry, Oct 06, 2006 5:20PM

I just googled it - it's still up. But maybe someone could archive it before it does disappear? It's a classic!

Posted by Ramu, Oct 06, 2006 5:22PM

He's a total poseur...

http://www.empowerachild.org/web/aleksey.php

his Holocaust book is self-published at lulu.com

Posted by Investor, Oct 06, 2006 5:24PM

post the vid on youtube

Posted by Poseidon, Oct 06, 2006 5:24PM

This guy is screwed. He wants to play, but he is going to get spanked.

First, his website does not have the required broker dealer disclosures. He is required to list who his broker dealer is, that it is a member of the SIPC, and the broker dealers address. Please see NASD Rule 2210 (specifically 2210d1b Updates Spet 7, 2006) as it is false and misleading advertising.

Second, he is required to have the SIPC link on his website. He is also in violation of ICA of 1940 Part 270.34b-1.

Third, I did a broker check on the NASD site and there was no one listed under his name and firm. Is this guy even licensed?

Beware of sites that have only one guy as the owner, CIO, investment committee, and partners.

If this guy really wanted to be a banker, he has just screwed himself, as NASD/SEC investigations are a real problem on your U-4 for prospective employers.

Posted by Lee D, Oct 06, 2006 5:25PM

Y'all are a bunch of H8RZ.

For heaven's sake, they guy facilitates powerful interventions and paradigm shifts!

Won't somebody think of the children?

Posted by CFO, Oct 06, 2006 5:27PM

Mr. Vayner, who grew up in poverty–ridden Uzbekistan, immigrated to United States without any money or clothing

Posted by In the Industry, Oct 06, 2006 5:29PM

Vayner... sounds kinda like vain, as in "could ya be any vainer/vayner?"

Posted by IvyGate, Oct 06, 2006 5:31PM

Nice find, Dealbreaker. We managed to grab the video before Mr. Vayner took it down.

(Sorry for the self-promotion...but it's too good not to watch.)

http://www.ivygateblog.com

Posted by Alexsey, Oct 06, 2006 5:46PM

Check my modeling profile.

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:1sTVzDMOnb4J:www.modelmayhem.com/member.php%3Fid%3D130163+%22ALEKSEY+VAYNER%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3&client=firefox-a

Also please stop emailing me with questions about how I am able to master the fields faster then most

Posted by Poseidon, Oct 06, 2006 5:50PM

This is too hilarious. Aleksey has made my day.

Posted by cbr, Oct 06, 2006 5:52PM

Somebody should set him up with Lucy Gao. What a great couple.

Posted by Too funny, Oct 06, 2006 6:10PM

I recommend visiting his Company. He has more typos than employees.

Posted by LeeD, Oct 06, 2006 6:16PM

"more typos than employees"

ROTFLMAFAO!!!!!!

Posted by paulus, Oct 06, 2006 6:36PM

Now the modelling pics have come off...

the guy is imploding!

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:1sTVzDMOnb4J:www.modelmayhem.com/member.php%3Fid%3D130163+Aleksey+Vayner&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3

Posted by vayner, Oct 06, 2006 7:10PM

pages 12-13 is him

http://www.yale.edu/rumpus/archives/pdf/rumpus_may02.pdf

Posted by nyuster, Oct 07, 2006 9:45AM

cos: she's nansi xu (according to the credits @ the end of the movie); team.vice.president@nyuballroom.com
(according to http://www.nyuballroom.com/team-exec.html ).

maybe she can help you explore the mystery of alexei vayner/garber/gannon/whatever

Posted by Capitalist Alex Gear, Oct 07, 2006 11:44AM

Ridicule via a t-shirt here:
http://www.cafepress.com/popdetriti

It takes balls to throw yourself out in that manner. I have been to Uzbekistan, and the ridicule is better than the alternative.

Posted by Kantian, Oct 09, 2006 2:16PM

Yes, he lies, he fabricates his resume, & he indulges himself with vanity and narcism. Today he made headlines on FoxNews. How will he ever show face again? Lets give this kid a break.

Posted by , Oct 09, 2006 5:02PM

Gotta read this - http://www.yale.edu/rumpus/archives/pdf/rumpus_may02.pdf

This guy is a GENIUS. A re-incarnated Lama (as told to him by the Dalai Lama), ex-Mafia, and ex-CIA! Why would he need to make such an outstanding video resume when he taught tennis to a president at Goldman Sachs who controlled 40% of the seats of the NYSE.

WOW. The 4-year old Rumpus article on him is way funnier than his video. No one wonder he switched his name.

Posted by Dranoz, Oct 10, 2006 11:52AM

Late to the party. Please tell me someone has the h3dg3 fund site cached...please...

Posted by John Kaafir كفيرجون, Oct 10, 2006 1:02PM

As this mans head continues to explode from all the well earned deserved blog coverage, anyone still in near proximity need STEP BACK! With his house of cards fallen, this guys gonna take a header and don't nobody want to be near.

Posted by Anonymous, Oct 10, 2006 5:15PM

I don't see the big deal. This kid is just like everyone else I meet from Yale.

Posted by Paula Silcock, Oct 11, 2006 7:50AM

I'd like to marry him, he's a lot less arrogant than the fist i'm stuck with.

Posted by Paula Silcock, Oct 11, 2006 7:51AM

I'd like to marry him, he's a lot less arrogant than the fist i'm stuck with.

Posted by Chris Miller, Oct 11, 2006 11:38AM

For the record . . . I am Director of the real Youth Empowerment Strategies, Inc. While opinions about Aleskey Vayner seem to vary wildly, his use of our corporate identity is unethical and illegal. Our YES, contrary to his YES, actually does work with kids and provides many, many youth leadership training programs that actually do help kids, their schools and communities. We have NO affiliation with Aleskey Vayner or any of his "affiliate" companies/programs. Anyone wishing to get information about the real YES can visit us at www.YESpress.org.

Posted by Sheldon Trim, Oct 13, 2006 5:38PM

This guy needs to milk all this publicity, now that it made fox, cnbc and msn's website. He's sitting on gold. Maybe he could go up as the poster boy for Good Posers and Dressers that spend alot of money and make no money, live on credit then lie to everyone know about what they do and finally end up in jail after defrauding a couple of gullible rich old folk of their money.

I know he could be a Hero to a couple of Versaci wearing folk out there

Posted by , Oct 13, 2006 9:50PM

future 'american psycho'?

Posted by David, Oct 15, 2006 1:46AM

Oh yes, like this is a surprise. Aleksey t-shirts have appeared! Pretty funny.

Posted by jaoquin, Oct 16, 2006 2:45AM

Aleksey Vayner is a wanker. LOL... Cheers!

Posted by scott, Oct 16, 2006 5:55PM

does anyone have his video? I sure would like to see it...

Posted by Gene, Oct 17, 2006 11:54PM

Unfortunately there are many more materialistic creeps like this where he comes from. Its a shame that US immigration policies do not restrict sh** like this from entering. Let him go back and eat his borsht, give Americans a chance to attend American schools !

Posted by anonymous, Oct 18, 2006 1:49PM

Wow, Gene, he's a poser but you're a real ass -- I guess guys like him make the real creeps come out with all their fascist ideas. Maybe we should purify society so that there will be no more materialistic creeps? Any ideas for how to do it?

Posted by anonymous, Oct 23, 2006 2:14PM

Gene, even though this Aleksey V. guy is a douchebag, saying close-minded shit like the stuff your spouting off makes you an even bigger douche!!!

Stop blaming other people for your short-comings!

Posted by misanthrope, Oct 25, 2006 10:19AM

jesus christ, this person is the epitome of narcissism.

Posted by Gene II, Nov 07, 2006 7:19PM

Gene,

You are a complete douchebag and asshole. You should be let loose in northern Georgia and made to squeal like a pig!

Posted by Peggy, Mar 09, 2007 1:35AM

We have been programming our video resume software CVOne for more than a year now. And, we were not sure whether video resumes would ever really take off. Thanks to Aleksey it did. About the same time we wanted to launch. He is our secret mascot :-) http://www.gocvone.com

Posted by , Apr 09, 2007 12:38AM

Any update on this?

Posted by Faye, Sep 09, 2007 6:43AM

I have seen his vid on youtube. Yeah the guy may be in love with himself and all that. But one thing for sure...this guy practiced what he preached. HE DARED! DARED TO BE DIFFERENT.. too bad he didn't manage to conquer. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him. Guys like him are never mediocre. He may be the biggest laughing stock now and rose from mediocrity. But then who knows what's next........

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