Hey all, this community has given back to me tremendously in the early days of my career. I thought it would be helpful if I started a Q&A for those in ER looking for alternative exit opps, and I give some insights/experiences in both careers. More info on myself: Worked in 2 well-known banks for 3 years as an ER associate covering financial stocks -> quit and learned to code for 18 months -> worked as SWE in well-known IB and HFT firm for 2+ years and now chilling in garden leave -> incoming SWE in FAANG. I Will answer anything to the extent I won't give away my anonymity.
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I learned and refined my networking strategy through WallStreetOasis believe it or not.
I broke into ER by attending the WSO-sponsored NYC happy hours back in 2012-13. I befriended someone there who was interviewing for the bank that I eventually worked in. He told me in a drunken stupor that he fucked up and had to withdraw all his job applications because he realized he was 1 credit short from graduating. I asked if he can give me the email addresses of everyone he spoke to at the bank. That timed well with me passing CFA Level 1, so my technicals were really polished and I got some newfound confidence. I cold emailed every single person in that list on a Sunday afternoon, and 2 weeks later I received my offer.
That networking strategy hasn't really changed even after I left ER. All I do is just cold message folks through LinkedIn. The goal is to bypass the inhouse recruiters and go straight to the hiring managers. From there I can handle myself well.