Finding work in Toronto

Water Cooler Careers
#1

I was hoping to get your opinion on various ways for a Montrealer to land a job in Toronto, mostly in 1) investment analysis for an asset manager 2) as an analyst in corporate finance advisory (not to be confused with investment banking). If you are not familiar with either industries, a more general perspective on landing a job in Toronto will also be greatly appreciated.

My profile:

  • CFA Level 3 Candidate
  • 1.5 years of Middle/Back Office work experience at large investment management firm. I basically research securities and set them up to be traded and monitored for portfolio compliance and performance tracking. A bit of cashflow modelling, corporate action monitoring, etc…
  • Undergrad in finance from Concordia
  • Extra-curricular: finance tutor, leadership (manager) role for large non-profit organisation

Here are the options that I envision in order to transition:

  1. Quit my job, move to Toronto and apply there
  2. Apply from Montreal and use a Toronto address from a friend or something like that. Conduct interviews through Skype or take time off work to travel to Toronto in order to attend interviews.
  3. Find a job in line with the type of role I want to get in Toronto (hard) and then apply to Toronto
  4. Apply for a MBA or MSc that has a powerful network of asset management firms (Queens, etc)

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to hear from you.

#2
  1. Get in line behind the other 2,000,000 candidates in TO. It’s not an easy place to break in in finance.

Your third option would be your best bet but good luck finding it in Montreal.

#3

What about option 4 ?

#4

A good MBA would be your best way to do this. Queens, Rotman, Ivey, McGill. Schulich if you’re lucky.

That said, you already work at a “large” investment management firm. They must have offices in Toronto, I’d suggest working that network before doing anything else.

#5

montreal is nice id work there in a second

#6

^ Nice for the strip clubs and food?

#7

That would be the 2nd best option after option 3.