Does a good personal financial portfolio help with getting a job?
Hey guys,
I was wondering if you could please provide me with some input as to whether a successful personal financial portfolio could be used as an effective tool to help swade recruiters. I use Scottrade (yeah I know.. I was a poor college student when I started it) and manage a fairly well put together and diversified portfolio consisting of stocks and options. I mostly dabble in small cap bank and mining stocks as well as options for metals. In terms of managing my portfolio I use Excel to calculate beta and other corrolative functions (i know my greeks) and apply some basic forecasting techniques like ACF/PACF plots, Box-Q stats and Theils U. All my picks are supported by solid fundamental analysis. I pretty much rip apart the 10-k/Qs for good info and then look up analyst reports for anything else that can be useful.
I achieved some success trading stocks in my spare time (about 400% return over 6 mos. this year and much better over the life of my account). I was wondering if that could have any positive impact when interviewing for a good job in finance. I want to be an analyst to be honest (im taking the CFA is my spare time away from work). But, I wouldn't mind being a trader as well lol.
Please let me know what you think. If you feel like ripping me apart you can do that as well.
With respect to the specific
With respect to the specific job you're applying for (by analyst I'm assuming IB on a non-S&T role), you should definitely include some information regarding your trading in your resume. I wouldn't go overboard on it, because it could deter some recruiters who may think you have a knack for trading instead of banking. During interviews, however, people will always ask questions about your trading, so be sure you can back up your experiences, tell a good story or two and also know how you woul allocate that proverbial $1million.
If you're applying to S&T or a prop shop, I would be more detailed in your resume about your trade experience. You don't need to shy away from the more technical language in for these folks. So make sure you tailor your resume by job type.
If you can actually trade and
If you can actually trade and you didn't just have luck (only you would know the difference) take your story to a reputable prop shop. If you can bring in alpha, they will bring you in. Anybody who can put up the numbers you mentioned with consistency should be trading, simple and plain.
Where I unload on Twits and take verbal S***s
MMM, I don't really get the
MMM, I don't really get the tag line. Alpha. thanks for the advice. It's not that easy though. I have a good job now and prop training is not only risky and volatile as hell, its semi-prestigious. If I were going into finance I would realy like to start as an analyst and work my way up to portfolio manager. Those guys pull in a good amount a year with bonus right? Im sure I won't get into IB before i go to a top 5 MBA. I had almost a 4.0 undergrad from a small school which means I have a shot if I ace the GMATS but that in it of itself is no guarantee. Right now I am just trying to pass the Lvl 1 and 2 CFA. I already have a CPA and am working at a big4 in Financial Services. I am hoping that with those connections and some CFAs parts passed I would be a good candidate for an analyst position without grad school. I would really like to get a job that would pay for my grad school but I am not sure if that's possible. I was hoping that my own porfolio would give the recruiter more insight into my own understanding of the market and my abilities as an analyst. That logic doesn't seem too flawed is it? Or am I being naive?