I'm working towards switching careers from biomedical research to equity research and feel a little lost. The lack of feedback throughout the application process is frustrating but understandable given how many people apply for the same jobs.
Does anybody have any advice on how to learn from and improve upon the application process when your resume just seems to disappear into a black hole somewhere?
I keep going through the same loop trying to figure out why I didn't hear back. Was it my resume, am I grossly unqualified, am I competing against people with ten years of experience, did I address the wrong person in my cover letter? How do I sort all of this out to position myself more competitively without answers to these questions?
Any help would be great
Yous should post your resume here and get it critiqued.
Also, equity research is insanely competitive right now because so many people are competing for so few jobs. Don't get discouraged but consider broadening your net. Would you be willing to do a stint as an investment banking analyst in a healthcare/biotech focused group for a year or two? You could leverage your biomedical background for that.
Taking the CFA tests is a good pathway into equity research as well. You still have plenty of time to sign up for the June test.
Thanks Victor. I'll put up a resume soon. As for the CFA, I've passed level I and am registered for the June level II
Investment banking analysis is something I know much less about than ER, but I'm willing to learn. In all honesty, the roles seem very similar on a superficial level so it's probably worth looking into. Thanks again
Ok, here it is. Help with content would be extremely useful. I can play with the bullet points and formatting myself. I'm guessing problem number one is that I have zero experience outside of a lab. Determining what is important and what isn't is difficult.
I'm hearing crickets here :(
Are you applying for a role in US? I am from a similar field and may be able to help, but can you let me know which firms you have applied for and your credentials... it will allow me to provide a much more meaningful, specific feedback and critiques.
I am applying in the US. My credentials are almost entirely academic including a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia and a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of North Carolina. I've also passed the first level CFA exam and will be sitting for the second in June. Lastly, I'm currently working my way through the Breaking into Wall Street excel and financial modeling, which so far has just been a review of the financial statement analysis section of the CFA so I hope to be able to produce some models and reports of my own soon.
All total, I've applied to the BBs including Goldman, Barclays, Citi, Credit Suisse, UBS, etc. Some before I had passed the CFA and some after. I've also tried a few smaller firms including Jeffries, Cowen, and Leerink Swann
One thing I should add is that I'm looking for biotech
Your background is good, nice that you have passed CFA level1 which shows basic commitment. Dont talk too much about doing level2 during interview just in case you dont do so well - dont count on the eggs before they hatch. Generally, if you are meeting the analysts try to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and know in advance which stocks they are covering! It really helps to know what they are thinking in their mind. I would say given your background which is good, but an emphasis of your business acumen is more important. Try networking as you yankies do rather than purely digging books on CFA (I know its tough, but I rather take level 2 after securing a job, and for entry level research associate, having level2 helps but doesnt really add too much since u done at least 1, that already is your differentiator). I dont know you personally, but do you have any company/ bank experience what so ever? It helps to a few company names on your CV so you don't appear too academic! Ultimately, they dont need another scientist, but an analyst who understands science!
My advice to you
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