How to be effective at job search?

Water Cooler Careers
#1

Now that the job search is over, I have to get back to the depressing world of job search.

A little bit of a background info on me. I have a BBA degree with a finance concentration. GPA wasn’t that impressive (approx. 3.3), but most importantly I have zero relevant work experience. Trying to find internships every summer by myself was a struggle and eventually a failure. Our school has a really competitive co-op program (30% acceptance rate) and I didn’t get accepted, which means I got little help from them.

I decided to do job search after graduating but came up empty handed and then decided to enroll into CFA assuming it’s better than doing nothing. Now, I have to get back to job search and honestly I’d appreciate any advice than you guys can give me regarding breaking into this industry.

Right now, I have a lot of things on my mind. I might give CFA another shot if I barely failed. If not, I might look into CPA or maybe even a CFP, but considering I have no experience whatsoever, I’m not sure. Is there any hope?

#2

I am in the same boat as you. I have some experience writing financial/analysis articles for a well known media company… but besides that, nothing interesting pertaining to IB. Will follow this thread for some advice!

#3

When did you graduate? And you are mainly looking for jobs in Canada?

#4

Graduated June last year at UofT. Looking for jobs in Toronto. I have applied to a bunch of places and only got a call from BMO and Scotia Bank for teller positions… although I applied for analyst positions? lol Its very discouraging.

#5

It’s brutal in Toronto for a new grad. Suck it up and take anything somewhat related, that analyst job you applied for is already filled internally. CFA won’t change anything realistically…

#6

October 2013. Yes, because I’ve realized that most jobs in US are for American citizens?

#7

Apply in the US and move. Also, don’t do CFP.

#8
#9

I would say that the most direct route to being effective at a job search is to have a bunch of real-life experience and an impeccable, institutional-quality background with a pedigree from a top 1 MBA program, dashing good looks and a closet bursting with top-dollar Armani and Versace suits. Anything else, and it’s hack the sack instantly.

#10

Clearly you dont’ live in Toronto. You need all those things and great fellatio skills and a father who’s the MD at one bank and a MD uncle at another. Even then it’s tough.

#11

^Strange, I thought Canada was the land of opportunities. I thought there would be ample jobs in a place like Toronto

#12

^ I think Toronto has the highest enrollment in the CFA society out all the major North American cities (except NYC). Just shows you how much competition there is.

#13

That’s what they say to attract immigrants.

#14

People must be desperate, because it’s been the same lie for over 100 years. Its hard enough for Canadian grads, how immigrants hope to make it here with their XYZ degrees is beyond me. There are just not enough jobs/growth/turnover to sustain the graduating classes here.

#15

Hire Numi as your career coach!

#16

It’s not only a Canadian problem, it’s a developed world problem.

#17

double post

#18

Numi, do you have experience in Toronto? Would be interested in speaking with you about your services if so, I’ve been thinking about talking to you since our last convo.

#19

It’s time for Numi to go international.

#20

I like to think of myself as an International Man of Mystery. However, one thing that isn’t so mysterious is that I have helped many clients get jobs all around the world, including in Canada. I would say that my track record outside the U.S. has been strongest in Hong Kong, Toronto, Beijing, and London in that order. You’ve come to the right place.