Getting back in aged 35 after Leaving Finance

Hi All, Was wondering if anyone had any good ideas they would be so kind as to share with me.

I graduated Oxford in 2001, no internships.

Unsurprisingly I couldn't get a decent job in Finance, particularly as I only started looking after September 11th and the associated slump in hiring.

I went to China for almost 3 years teaching English and Economics and educating myself on investments.

After that I did 3 finance jobs - at a prop trader (3 months), Fund of Funds and, finally worked as an analyst for Putnam Investments (Telecoms / Utilities) in London for almost 2 years.

I passed CFA Level 1, first attempt.

I quit in 2008 as I didn't much like London life, I could also see a crash coming and didnt much like the firm. I actually quite enjoyed the job and was good at it...

Between 2008 and the present I have worked in HE administration - basically doing returns to the government for a university - latterly 3 days a week. I have also invested successfully for myself. My CAGR between 2008 and present is circa 22% per year. I blog on this (deepvalueinvestments wordpress - it wouldnt let me post a link...

I would now be interested in getting back in to Asset Management - ideally outside of a high cost of living population center.

Does anyone have any ideas? - I have sent my CV to a few places but have received zero interest back. I am not a natural networker so that route is pretty much closed to me.

I have considered doing CFA level 2 but question whether it would really make a difference - I am now nearly 36.

All views welcome.

3 Comments
 

Step one is don't write off networking because you're not a "natural networker". It's a skill, and anyone can practice it and become better at it. And it's damn important.

Oxford gives you a great group of people to reach out to within the UK and Europe. Start there.

Don't be so blunt as to ask for a job, cast it as someone who was involved in finance for a while but has been away for a bit and wants to know their opinions about recent developments or something (this is written through a U.S. cultural lens, adjust if you think it's wildly off base for your situation).

 

Et quo alias odio eaque. Dicta amet omnis aut modi dolore deserunt dolorem. A dolorem molestiae esse nemo dolore iusto corporis. Aspernatur autem distinctio qui eius rerum.

Placeat veniam a enim consequuntur soluta id. Porro illum quasi aut est. Reprehenderit et aliquam ducimus optio iste fugiat. Voluptatem nihil vel ut dicta ab. Expedita dolorem eos quae ipsum voluptatem placeat sit. Dolorem dolorem reprehenderit culpa voluptatem.

Cumque tempora quibusdam veritatis quia magni aliquam sapiente. Numquam ad in excepturi facere minus. Consequatur perspiciatis at et aut aut. Voluptate velit et quia sequi eos. Porro sequi neque architecto. Excepturi animi et sint aperiam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”