Job environment 2009 - complicated

[dhride]

I just finished a MS in applied Math and I am now looking for a quant position, any quant position. I want to get my foot in the door. I have been applying to banks and investment houses(hedge funds, PE, etc) directly through their website as well as with recruiters .
I had early success in my life with an internet company that I sold and since then(2002) I have not worked at all, so I have Zero experience in Finance.
Now, during this difficult economic environment, I have witnessed how I don't get hire because there is some other candidate with YEARS of experience, who just happened to lose his job somewhere else. So, needless to say, I am still looking for work.
So far the only people interested in my skills seem to be day-trading shops.
My questions are:
1- How can I compete with the vast number of recently laid-off people applying for the same positions as I do? [Because of the scarcity of jobs there are plenty of qualified people applying for entry-level positions.]
2- If I take a job as a day Trader, would this be a valid experience to be consider for quant positions in the future?
Any advice on how to land a job or internship it is highly appreciated.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Be more flexible with your definition of an ideal job. Any job where you can pick up useful skills should be considered.
Wish I have a crystal ball to know about the job market the next few years. I can use some of that magic.