Beginning the Job Search once again

Dear WSO,

Last year I made a post about how I passed Level 1 of the CFA® 
. As the people who responded predicted, it didn't make a ground breaking difference. Often I would get deep into interview processes (3rd, 4th even 7th round interviews) with high profile firms, but I was never able to land the offer.

Having said this, after graduating in December 16, in January 17 I decided to put all job search endeavors on hold. This was because I wanted to focus on studying for the CFA® 
Level 2. I ended up doing very well on the exam as I had studied 554.25 hours. I still attended the U of I to obtain the necessary requirements to sit for the CPA. I will begin my CPA journey next week. I plan on passing FAR before the end of July.

In light of all fo this, last week I started applying for jobs again. I have yet to "officially" pass Level 2, but I am confident on July 25th, I will be receiving notice of this. I should also note that I completed the U of I with a 3.4 GPA.

If and when everything works out (passing CFA® 
Level 2 and FAR of CPA), I will be able to list on my resume that I have passed CFA® 
Level 1 and 2. Furthermore, I should be able to list my progress with the CPA.

Thus, my question to you is, what should I prioritize the CPA, or the job search? The reason why I am asking this is that I cannot put "Passed CFA® 
Level 2" on my resume until I am notified (7/25). I am targeting the banking sector, and I am indifferent to either commercial or investment banking. However, I would like to land a gig in NYC, but I would not mind working my hometown of Chicago as well.

To be quite frank, I know upon receiving my passing results, I will be just as qualified as anyone out there. In my opinion, passing CFA® 
Level 2 is a huge accomplishment, yet alone accomplished by a 23 year old who finished school in May. I truly believe I can be an asset to any employer. Furthermore, I am now progressing on the CPA.

Thoughts? Sugestions? Comments and Concerns? I would love to land a gig in IB (and I know I am qualified), but given my tardiness to the job search and how cliquey IB can be, I don't expect this to come to fruition.

Are there any other fields you would suggest I look into? I am very interested in modeling, but would prefer to stay away from the capital markets.

Best,

Christian

4 Comments
 

Do you want to be a cpa or go into Asset Management? There is nothing wrong with being a cpa and a lot of door open on the corporate side after doing so.

Only two sources I trust, Glenn Beck and singing woodland creatures.
 
"guggroth93" You took Level 2 in June 2017? How do you know you passed already?
He doesn't, he just has a good feeling about it.
 

Ducimus minus culpa qui odio qui recusandae cupiditate. Doloribus explicabo molestias est consequatur occaecati velit. Non corporis iure voluptas quaerat. Velit cupiditate fugit tempore qui assumenda velit.

Fuga cumque error dolor aut. Delectus dolorem blanditiis non minima sit inventore nisi. Facilis temporibus sunt est aperiam accusantium earum sit. Maiores nihil iure qui quasi consequatur et.

Aperiam inventore porro placeat hic quas et et sit. Sed tempora sed voluptatem sint incidunt. Ad laboriosam possimus provident. Vero excepturi sit et modi sunt. Non modi occaecati dolor assumenda vel porro qui aperiam. In enim magnam et pariatur reprehenderit. Qui expedita aut quae quis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”