So you wanna work for Citigroup?

Of all the ways the government's hefty ownership of Citigroup hurts the banks, the number one harm has to be recruitment. Fortune asked Citigroup chairman Dick Parsons about why anyone would want to work there. His answer: "It's almost like a patriotic duty...Plus it's damned interesting." Appealing to patriotism will likely not work--not while other banks are pitching the lack of government tinkering in corporate affairs and for many mid-level folks, the ostensible ability to make more money.

However, my sense is that Citi will still be able to attract younger folks sensing the ability to move fast, make their mark and gain experience. At the same time, there just might be some upside to a stock that now sits in the $3.50 range. The stigma of working for a bank that is 36-percent owned by the government may dissuade some. But if you go in with the right attitude, you may be able to move up quickly, which will look great on a resume. It doesn't have to be forever. Plus if you really want to work in finance at time when jobs are scarce and you are fierce, it might not be a bad place. It's not Goldman Sachs, but it never has been.

For more:
- here's the Fortune article

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