Should I get into consulting even if I don't want to ?
So here's the issue.
I come from a relatively privileged background and I didn't have to get a job right away after graduation for the sake of working (for working's sake). I'm super passionate about finance/trading/investment operations. So I decided to work on the CFA. So i've been applying to jobs in fields that I wanted to go into (never applied outside of my interest zone). So far no luck beyond first round interview at any of them.
My uncle works at a consulting firm (not a big name but worthy enough to have been mentioned on WSO before with decent reviews). They do auditing and other relevant accounting things. He put in a word with the HR person for me and she wants to talk.
I really don't like it after I've taken a look at what they do. Right now I'm just killing time studying for CFA level 1 and applying for relevant positions. I have 0 college debt (relatively privileged background) and I'd work for crap pay even if it meant doing what I loved.
I love derivatives, Asset Management stuff, and anything involving the Bloomberg Terminal, TOMS, etc.
I have 2 options
1. Join, and then shift to my area of interest when possible. (would be losing out on CFA studying time)
2. Not join, continue with my study plan and keep applying to my fields of interest.
My priorities are (my parents are cool with this)
1. Job in my interest zone
2. CFA Level 1
3. Getting a job for the sake of it
I can't do all three at any given time and I can only do two at any given time. Would I get labeled/branded as an accounting/consulting/ auditing guy if I got into consulting or is it possible to go into investment operations from there (my area of interest) ?
Thanks in advance
DI
TL:DR Crap job vs no job Take the job
Would I get labeled/branded as an accounting/consulting/ auditing guy if I got into consulting or is it possible to go into investment operations from there (my area of interest) ?
If your goal is investment operations why not just go straight into that? ops is not super hard of a swing with decent stats and if you pass the CFA then you would be over qualified in my opinion.
With that privileged background I'm assuming you have a decent Alma Mater?
Right now, you're being branded as someone was not strong enough and / or didn't want to be hassled about getting a job and that is infinitely worse than coming in from a consulting background. TBH, reading through your posts, I would actually doubt you have the right attitude to succeed in finance
Very bitter but thanks for the input anyhow. What kind of attitude is needed in finance anyhow ? i thought if you knew your subject you're good to go.
To be honest op your dialog and attitude brands yourself as someone that isn't hungry enough. How much have you networked? Have you opened a personal investing account to leverage in informational interviews etc etc? Have you touched up on excel, learned to code in VBA, learned pivots, V-Lookups, Index matches...etc? Have you actually researched the role investment operations plays in a company? Have you spent several hours writing out answers to behavioral interview questions that will result in your answers linking into the role of operations at a firm?
The above mentioned are a few of the things I did that landed me a SA in BB operations this upcoming summer and are things that BB ops look for. And I come from a non-target state school with a very low GPA(3.3), with a resume full of failed pre-med classes and a college career career spent working 20-30 hour work weeks part time to pay personal expenses. So if anything you have a leg up on me with your Alma Mater and background.
Just cause an HR person doesn't respond you're going to give up? Get hungry man, you can do better than that. If you want this then get after that, don't stop. Even if your take the consulting gig that doesn't mean you lose that hunger. You speak like accepting a consulting gig is the end of the world. It's not.
And @CFA you have to realize that just "working on the CFA" doesn't mean shit unless you pass level 1. Every single recent grad is "working on the CFA. CFA is a waste of your time right now. That time spent networking and actually trying to break-in as opposed to expecting the opportunity to be handed to you will get you 10 times farther. Just my 2cen
Analytical / quantitative skills, strong work ethics, intellectual curiosity, discipline, relationship building / communication, ambition, resilience, teamwork. Those are some of the most important qualities you'll need to succeed in finance (or in the business world in general). Sure knowing you stuff is definitely important, but having the right attitude is 10x more important if you are to succeed. These are also the qualities that finance firms look for in incoming candidates and it's pretty clear from your posts and the fact that 8-9 months post graduation you are unemployed that you don't possess at least half of those.
It's also pretty clear from your posts that you expect things to be handed to you rather than having to work for them and unfortunately, that's not how the business world works, even for the most privileged. Why you aren't busting your ass networking and trying to get real life experience and instead are chilling at home, depending on your parents and studying for the CFA (which btw, if you were really serious about, you would have sat for the December level 1 exam already)??? What were you doing in college when all of your classmates were freaking out about internships and jobs??? This is why I suspect you don't have the right drive and attitude to succeed.
Don't go into it. The job should be taken by someone who actually has passion for it.
Ea eum sequi repellendus minus eveniet quo. Enim magnam quia occaecati quos voluptas corporis accusantium. Porro amet adipisci doloremque accusantium qui. Natus molestiae adipisci est dolorem perspiciatis. Earum molestiae iusto animi est necessitatibus.
Aspernatur eius et sunt ut autem. Et asperiores inventore minima nostrum tempora. Aspernatur quos a cupiditate. Animi at tempora doloremque qui omnis. Incidunt totam dolor ut eaque omnis consequatur quibusdam vel. Inventore mollitia nostrum et voluptatem quidem atque.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...