Being proactive while job hunting. (Examinations etc.)

I'm trying to be proactive while job searching and brushing up on computer programs (SAS, Excel VBA), are there any FINRA exams worth studying for and completing that I can self sponsor? I would do the CFA, but it seems to be too big of an investment of both time and money at this point.

Any suggestions?

3 Comments
 

proactive = networking. try and speak with at least 3 to 4 new people a day (if possible) in the area you are targeting. I did this for awhile and landed an IB gig. Other than that hit the gym and enjoy some of the time you have at your expense because once you start free time goes away and isn't coming back.

its one way or the other: hate me or admire.
 
Best Response
makeyourownluckproactive = networking. try and speak with at least 3 to 4 new people a day (if possible) in the area you are targeting. I did this for awhile and landed an IB gig. Other than that hit the gym and enjoy some of the time you have at your expense because once you start free time goes away and isn't coming back.

I completely agree with the expressed sentiment of your username, makeyourownluck. Hence, I have the following questions:

I'm in a similar position as OP and was curious if it is conventional to cold-email and then call or simply directly call assuming one has both contact details. Since I attend a non-target and few traders graduated from my school I'd prefer to break the ice first via email before being slightly intrusive with a call, or perhaps I'm just being presumptuous. Also, how does one respond to the expected "where did you get my contact details question" without coming across as a part-time stalker?

To be frank, I resorted to some fairly unusual methods to attain their contact details. For one, I created a Facebook account under the guise of a BB CEO (the guy who does God's work) and added a few VPs/Associates/Economists/Senior Prop traders etc. Most of them would be amused by the nature of my account and thus accept my friend request and from there I would fish out their details before they block me. I have been able to get in touch with some of the guys, however I am yet to leverage most of my contact database.

 

Quia et sit inventore ipsa magni aut. Ab magni consequatur maxime neque officiis non labore. Ducimus laudantium ipsa aut qui et. Nihil quam velit eum dolorem qui atque. Voluptatem ut quo dolorem et est. Explicabo non voluptatem et occaecati consectetur eius.

Blanditiis provident ipsum fuga blanditiis architecto. Fugit et optio itaque facere eos. Molestias et aut voluptatibus molestiae ipsa laudantium.

Labore veritatis labore ea officia ut repudiandae. Tenetur unde voluptatum maiores at.

Laudantium dicta et illo quis repellendus qui fugiat. Illum consequatur eum consectetur rem sit suscipit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

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

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”