Career Advice

Water Cooler Careers
#1

Hi guys,

I’m looking for a bit of advice on how best to approach a job search, given an extremely unconventional background.

Briefly, I’m currently 32. Econ major undergrad from a top-20 liberal arts college in the US. I then returned to India and ran an extremely unconventional business - let’s just say related to non-finance betting markets. The venture did extraordinary well - I have a solid, independently verified track record, it was an interesting idea backed by an econometrics model etc etc. However, in 2012, I decided it was time for a new challenge and I embarked on a journey of re-tooling myself. I first pursued the CMT (conducted by MTA - www.mta.org). Needless to say, technical analysis is only scratching the surface in financial markets, so i subsequently enrolled in the CFA program, and I’m now waiting for my level 3 results in June.

Over the last 4 years, I’ve actively traded markets, analyzed businesses and gathered a wealth of information, alongside the CFA & CMT programs. The CFA has been invaluable in terms of furthering my education and learning. The initial plan when I decided it was time for a new challenge in 2012 was to embark on an entrepreneurial finance venture - perhaps even setup my own fund. But, I don’t feel ready for that yet and feel a real need to gather work experience, preferably buy side work experience.

My concern ofcourse is that my background is extremely unconventional. To make matters worse, I’m an Indian citizen - so, moving around is challenging (in terms of immigration issues). I intend to target Singapore as a location; but, in general, I’m obviously very concerned about an extremely unconventional background.

So my questions are:

  1. Is an entrepreneurial past, albeit a successful venture extremely difficult to explain?

  2. While I have been trading for the last few years, it certainly hasn’t been a systematic, linear, succesfful journey. There are blesmishes on my record; and more learning than achieving. I have taken 6 exams between the CFA & CMT over this period - and there are gaps on my record. How concerned should I be about explaining these 4 years.

  3. Given the extremely unconventional background; how concerned should I be? Relatedly, how old is 32 in the job market? Am I too old for entry level positions? Will finding a fit be daunting?

The idea of embarking on a job search is itself fairly new to me - so please feel free to chime in with literally any advice.

#2

Have you considered an MBA, schools usually look more kindly on unusual backgrounds (even if at 32 you might be a bit old) than employers, and you could use that to get your job.

Also it might be difficult to jump right to a buy side role, you might need to do someone else first and then transition.

#3

I’d highly recommend you applying to Insead’s MBA program in Singapore if you can afford it, it’s a one-year top notch program with great placement in India and Asia pacific.

#4

Passing exams isn’t going to do much for you sorry to say. Entrepreneurial thing is also not what a typical money manager shop is going to look for.

#5

The unconventional background, as well as 4 years of self trading makes you a bit of a risky hire for any business. If the fit does not work well, the manager will be on the hook for choosing an unusual candidate. Unfortunately, finance companies have conditioned themselves to take only the most necessary risks in these times.

Others have recommended MBA as a way to standardize and make yourself comparable to other candidates, and I would have to agree that this is the most viable choice given your goals. You could (and should) start responding to available job listings in the mean time, in case they give you useful feedback. You would probably stand a better chance at desirable roles after some self investment though.

#6

Go for MBA and try to get an internship.

#7

Yep INSEAD or even Booth for Singapore and go for the Summer Associate positions

#8

the answer is obvious - get an MBA from a proper school. and i don’t understand why people are so concerned about age. do not even listen to other people’s stories just create your own success story. your own unique success story. you can do it if you really want it.

#9

Thanks for all the responses, guys. The unanimity of advice is an added bonus. The MBA isn’t a direction I’ve been particularly inclined towards - but, I will think about it afresh and keep Insead at the top of my list if that is the direction I take. Really appreciate the input - thanks, everyone!