Career switch into Hedge Fund
Hi all,
I am thinking of switching career into a HF. I have 9 yrs of work experiences: supply chain operations (5 yrs), consulting (strategy / ops / M&A - 4 yrs), and now I am doing in-house strategy role at a bank.
Some pointed questions that I have:
- Best path: Would switching into Equity Research team (either applying within the bank I am currently in or outside) secure the best chance to eventually break into HF?
- Qualification: Would CFA help?
- Open ended questions: Do you think this move is even possible? If so, what would be the best path you'd recommend? And any other tips?
Thank you in advance!
Switching into a hedge fund from your background is challenging but certainly possible with the right strategy. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s what you need to know:
1. Best Path
2. Qualifications
3. Feasibility and Tips
By focusing on ER, pursuing a CFA, and demonstrating your passion and skills through networking and personal projects, you can position yourself for a successful transition into a hedge fund.
Sources: Best road to a Hedge Fund, Ho-Hum to Hedge Fund, What career path will be the best to take if I want to land a hedge fund job?, What roles can I get with a CFA, Hedge Fund or PE Analysts Program
Uphill battle. Neither ER nor HF are really big on taking career switchers, but of course you are free to try. I have personally seen some consulting to ER before, but tends to happen in late 20s as opposed to early 30s. Going internally at your bank would be the easiest. At least you can pick their brains as well on what they’d want to see from you to hire you. CFA won’t do much, nobody except the wealth mgmt and sales dinosaurs care about that garbage. It’s also hella expensive to get the charter yourself to begin with. Some would say you should get an MBA to pivot, but that doesn’t really work for HF and only helps a tad for ER so it’s just too expensive.
The biggest question though is why you want to make this move. You have no experience with public markets. What is your motivation for going into a very difficult and competitive industry? Do you know what HFs do, and what is this knowledge based off of? The story not only needs to make sense for other ppl but also for yourself as well. Hopefully you have a better answer than “stocks are interesting to me and I watched the movie Dumb Money.” It’s going to be a very tough way up if you’re serious about doing this, so don’t bother unless this is a MUST do and you can’t imagine your career going anywhere else. Otherwise, you’d just end up wasting a lot of time.
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