challenger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Jonathan… it’s cfa1@live.ca. I see your > posting got much attention – i wonder why… is > that because most out there unemployed?! > > Today, I have another suggestion for you… > Concordia alumni society offers mentorship > program. Register with them and search for an > investment professional (also Concordai alum). > Good luck & keep me posted. Challenger…do you have a link to Concordia’s mentorship program?
To the OP, 1. Get a job with the people managing your inheritance. Twist their arms. Say you’ll take your money elsewhere if they don’t. 2. Offer a bounty on craiglist or something for a recruiter or hiring manager to land you a job. Remain anonymous in your ad of course. I was considering this.
former trader Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > challenger Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Hi Jonathan… it’s cfa1@live.ca. I see your > > posting got much attention – i wonder why… > is > > that because most out there unemployed?! > > > > Today, I have another suggestion for you… > > Concordia alumni society offers mentorship > > program. Register with them and search for an > > investment professional (also Concordai alum). > > Good luck & keep me posted. > > Ohh wow! I’ll get on that like white on rice! Thanks! @ momothetired Thanks for the suggestion, too. I’ll be sure to consult the managers about it.
- Your salary expectations are WAY, WAY too low. Of course, in a bad economy you must lower expectations, but the jobs in the range you mentioned will probably have nothing to do with supporting investment decisions (the criteria set by the CFA for work experience in a nutshell). 2. Networking is extremely vital in this time (as well as good times). 3. I agree that you will probably only land a mid-office or a junior analyst role even in a good economy. However, these jobs (in total compensation terms) do pay reasonably well. 4. The unpaid route could make sense if you can get that kind of opportunity.
JonathanC Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Like Robert Half and Michael Page? Robert Half will waste your time in this economy. Second, in my judgment, I didn’t feel they were really knowledgeable in finance recruiting. The potential recruiter I saw didn’t even know how many levels the CFA had.
TA05 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > JonathanC Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Like Robert Half and Michael Page? > > Robert Half will waste your time in this economy. > Second, in my judgment, I didn’t feel they were > really knowledgeable in finance recruiting. The > potential recruiter I saw didn’t even know how > many levels the CFA had. Robert Half is more reknown more accounting.
I stopped reading after you said you work at Investor’s Group. You are seriously under rating yourself…Just network! you will find something waaaaaay better. My Bachelor is from Western: Major :PSYCHOLOGY Minor: Economics and I’m writing Level II this year… I’ve networked like it’s my job…I’m on the verge of starting in a commercial account manager role at a bank…It’s not the best…but considering my academic backround…it’s a good place for me to start… I also came close to getting a job with credit markets…my point is…unless you’re doing your MBA at some community college… your education is amazing, and if you just network you should find something.
How about I will give someone 1,000 cash to find me a entry level job in finance?
Is this where you are graduating from? http://johnmolson.concordia.ca/graduate-programs/mba-with-complete-cfa-concentration/information-sessions
beachbum Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I’ve networked like it’s my job… Beachbum, can you provide some examples of what you do exactly to network?
Nike Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Is this where you are graduating from? > http://johnmolson.concordia.ca/graduate-programs/m > ba-with-complete-cfa-concentration/information-ses > sions Yessir, that’s the one. I’ve taken your advice thus far and I am going to do the following: 1) Not stop applying to jobs via workopolis, monster.ca, etc… 2) Focus a lot on networking via alumni, mentors, career placement services at the university, friends, LinkedIn, etc… Just one question though: when I apply for a job, my cover letter for an equity analyst position should state a little bit about the company, what I can bring to them and how I fit, and a summary. But should I make reference to my desire to analyze TECHNOLOGY companies (that’s what I want to do) or should I leave it general and expect THEM to place ME in a sector?
Jonathan, are you born and raised in Montreal?
Why would that matter?
I would make your cover letter more general. This makes it easier for you to start. You can move to technology down the road. Examples of me networking. I’ll start from the far reaching to the more practical. I’ve called up VP’s of divisions and I just ask if I could buy them a coffee and ask them questions and advice about career paths. On the other hand. I will usually get referred by someone. They’ll say hey I know this guy, go talk to him. But in either scenario, I assume that there isn’t going to be anything they can do for me. If I get this feeling during the conversation, I will ask later on if they feel there is anyone else I can talk to, and they will refer me to them. I basically keep the chain alive… I’ve also done stuff like school website alumni posts and various things like that. But I’ve found it most successful in simply calling someone up and simply asking for 10 minutes of their time, and telling them your story. It took a couple or rounds for me to build my confidence. Each time though it got better and better, and now I’m just waiting for the last friggin phone call for the job.
Buddy you’re way out of the range salary-wise I’ve got a bachelors, no masters, no mba, only wrote L1 and i’ve just completed my first year in ER outta college and ended up getting $65k+ in MTL. Don’t lowball your own self.
— > @ former trader what’s your email address? are you in Montreal?
challenger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > — > @ former trader what’s your email address? > are you in Montreal? Yes. Graduated from JMSB in finance and completed all 3 levels of CFA program. spoilerman13 at hotmail
Well, due to popular advice I upped my salary expectation from 30-50 to 50-75k. I’ll expect something around 70-75k. I also have an appointment with both the graduate adn undergraduate career advisors next week, back to back in the same office so we can work together and collaborate on who I should speak to help me get that entry job. Any suggestions on topics I should bring up regarding networking with these career advisors?
Jon, Alot of good information here. Heres the top 3 things i think you should do: 1) Raise your salary expectations (which i saw you did but 60-80k is up your alley). 2)That offering your services for free is a good idea. 3)Yeah its good to search alone, but it helps when you have multiple pairs looking for you: IE. Go through an Agency/Recruiter. Their work is free, but its one of the fastest ways to obtain a job and work experience. Plus you can quit whenever you want, or the company may choose to keep you as a permanent if you do well. Good way to break into an industry because you usually just interview with the agent, and then they will call you once they find a job for you. Breaking into the industry is so important. Good luck man!
This thread is all over the place. I-Banking, working for $30K, working for $75K, working for free…I think you better consider paying firms to employ you just so that you can cover all the bases 
Just kidding. In addition to the good advice here, I would suggest joining something like Toastmasters or any other group dedicated to public speaking. You’ve amassed a lot of technical knowledge but since you don’t have much work experience, you might not have the same level of polish as those who’ve been working for a while. The addition of more soft-skills to your repetoire can make you an event stronger candidate. My comment applies to a lot of students/new grads so it’s not directed at you specifically. If anything its an almost universal area of development.