Mentioning CFA Level 1 candidacy in investment banking resume

I know mentioning CFA Level 1 candidacy on the resume is usually frowned upon in the online finance community (wso) as it is just a resume padder which doesn't signify any real achievement until the Level 1 exam is passed.

However I want to ask for opinions on my own situation. I am a medical doctor (career-changer) who has just finished an IB internship at a very small Nigerian firm an I am trying my luck applying to BBs whose online internship applications are yet to close (I know, it's late to apply for 2023 internships, but I'll try my luck anyway). Given my unusual educational background (although I am enrolled in an accounting & finance master's program set to finish in 2024, so I check the penultimate year box), I felt like adding a line about Level 1 candidacy (February 2023) in the "Additional information" section of my resume (after languages & skills but just before interests) to signify my commitment to finance. Would this be a good idea?

My aim is not to pad the resume, just to communicate commitment to finance despite my  unusual (medical) background. Would reference to CFA level 1 candidacy useful on my resume in this unique situation? Would I get dinged pre-interview for adding that?

 

Hi tsemayekekema, no, I never sleep and so I can respond to any lonely threads (like this one) at all hours of the night. Impressive, I know ;-)

More suggestions...

I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Est ut quidem quia et minus et officiis. Natus eveniet minus ut neque et et. Quasi consectetur dolorem sequi explicabo. Alias eaque voluptatem sequi veniam magnam illo.

Magnam itaque dolores porro. Consectetur sed quidem sunt corrupti.

Debitis ab est quae et debitis. Quo iste amet debitis quo numquam. Impedit nam doloremque quo voluptatum. Accusamus qui quam inventore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”