Should we applaud former Houlihan Lokey investment banking consultant Joshua Persky for the brave way he has gone about trying to find another job in the industry, or should we write him off as a loser with no sense of reality (and certainly no dignity) ? We're not sure.

Out of work for over 6 months, Persky has a wife and 5 kids to support. The lease is up next week, and the wife and kids are off to Nebraska. Persky, however, is determined to stay in New York, tough it out and find a new job. So, he has been pacing New York's financial district this week with a big sign which says 'Experienced MIT Graduate for Hire', and handing out cvs outside potential hiring firms to anyone who'll take one.

Persky told The New York Sun: 'It's a very difficult market. I lost my job 6 months ago, and more and more banks have started letting people off. Instead of sitting at home, writing e-mails and networking, I decided to come out and hit the streets and try to compete a little'. He said that 'I handed out a stack of resumes. I get a lot of smiles, and that's what keeps me going. The reaction has been really nice. A couple of people have shown some interest'. Persky plans to keep plugging away for the rest of the week.

READER COMMENTS:

1. 'I bet this was his wife's idea - she legs it back to Nebraska and forces her old man to make a fool of himself on the streets of New York'.

2. 'Although I'm not sure how effective this will prove to be (and maybe even counterproductive), you have to wish him all the best'.

3. 'It took guts to do this, but the guy's an idiot. Investment banks don't hire desperate candidates'.

4. 'Good on him. He deserves to be hired. He's trying his best'.

5. 'There are those who are 'trying' to get a job, and those that have one (and don't plan to lose it). Sorry, mate, you'd be better off 'trying' out to be a mail man. Your days in our industry are over'.

6. 'He's got about as much chance of getting another job acting like this as John McCain has of being our next President'.

7. 'No-one's job is safe right now (or in the immediate future). Many of us will be joining the ranks of unemployed bankers. And, take it from me, it doesn't take long to start feeling desperate. I admire this guy's courage'.

8. 'This guy has shown commitment and determination. If any bank has any sense, they would snap him up'.

9. 'One word: loser!'

10. 'Good luck to you Persky! I did a similar thing which worked for me in London'.

11. 'Not a very responsible thing for a father of 5 to do. There are more conventional ways to go about finding a job to earn a living. Get a grip!'.

12. 'This is the future. There'll be loads of bankers wandering around in sandwich boards all over the Street and in the City!'.

13. 'I can understand anyone checking their pride at the door if they are responsible for caring for others who depend on them. He has leapfrogged all candidates by using the media as a headhunter. He knows too well that trying to get a job in this market is a numbers game. Brilliant!'

14. 'We should all take a leaf out of his book - learn a little humility, ditch the ego and go all out for what counts - family'.

15. 'I saw this guy on Park Avenue. It's frightening to think that things have come to this'.

16. 'There is no such thing as an unemployed banker. If you are unemployed, you are not a banker. You were a banker'.

17. 'He doesn't look like an idiot. He is an idiot!'.

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