Advice & Feedback Needed to Break into Equity Research

Hello - I am looking to break into Equity Research. I'd like some constructive feedback on what I need to do to improve my chances of getting a role.

Background:
- 1.5 years in FP&A role at an Industrials company - Senior Financial Analyst - I work on forecasting, budgeting, modeling, and financial reporting.
- 3 years in Corporate Strategy - the work was classical strategy - gant charts, creating executive presentations, supporting / clarifying business problems / solutions, and crafting business narratives.

What I have prepared for ER:
- A proofed by an ER professional Equity note. I love equity finance and I own the stock that I wrote the note on, so writing the note was a bit of fun.
- Securities Industry Essential & Excel-based certificates
- Finance Undergrad
- Employee referrals to a handful of the big / mid-sized Banks.

What else should I have in my pocket to get myself noticed and hired in ER? Should I begin working on the CFA? How are my chances looking? Any advice/feedback would be appreciated here.

2 Comments
 

Optio ab quasi voluptates blanditiis porro sed. Corrupti labore ea aut voluptas accusamus a.

Itaque harum eaque enim fugiat sint est. Eius aut rerum ad architecto. Mollitia aut exercitationem omnis quia. Consequatur inventore est et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”