How to break out of PWM?
I've been trying to get out of PWM for a year now and can't seem to. I've been @ MS doing PWM for 2.5 years, BBA in 08' from top 4 Undergrad Business School (3.4), and passed CFA lvl 1. Eventual goal is to become a PM. I’ve had a lot of interviews recently for everything from Investment analyst, ABS analyst, Assistant PM, etc but to my dismay, no offers yet.
2 part question: What type of position should I really be pushing for? As you can tell I’ve been, applying and cold calling for any analyst type position I can find.
Also where should I be looking? I know the best opportunities come through networking but all my networking efforts have led no where (I need to work on those skills). I cruise LinkedIn, Indeed, Fins, Alumni job boards, and Onesource just about every day. Once I find a good fit I apply then cold call the recruiter until I can force him into a phone interview. This has worked in getting me interviews but no offer. Any advice on where to look and how to pursue?
Also any advice on my CV would be appreciated I know its jumbled and basically a list but don’t know what I should remove. http://www.razume.com/documents/24163 (Edit: I changed some things based on some comments)
Thanks
You lack specific results on your cv. And I actually lol'd at VLOOKUP
good call. and omit 'limited' before VBA. nobody wants to hear that...
dude i went lateral from 1 year at PWM @ a BB into trading prop.
internal netorking (just start emailing ppl/hr with legit reasons why you're curious about their job/want a coffee). a few mths after doing this was having coffee with head of equity prop...
during meetings try to get an assoc/VP on side as your mentor and request monthly/fortnightly meet-ups. they're better connected and will fight for your cause. go to these meetings with interesting questions/trading ideas and ask their opinion
also CFA is great, i also did MFin at night school to prove interest
NB: I am NOT a natural extrovert/networker. However, have discovered that for me popping off a few 'i'm curious to learn' type emails works wonders. just make a conscious effort to smile, ask questions, be well presented etc and you can work that shit through to an offer
your resume is decent but need some WOW factor in ECs. it's so stock i could find that badboy on the shelf at target. here are some ideas that i used. they're gimmicks, and generally unrelated to bullshit student clubs so they grab attention:
This is so money. If someone were even close to qualified for the job and had this on there, I would definitely interview them.
People put the most boring shit on their resumes. I interviewed this kid one time who said he was an elite Star Craft player on his resume. I lol'd when I read it, but he got the interview (went to a semi-target and had good career progression and language skills as well). Seriously, whatever you can do to stand out without being obnoxious.
This is great advice! The first thing an interviewer asked me on a final round interview was something like "tell me something interesting about yourself thats not on your resume". I mentioned that I had ran with the bulls in pamplona on the front line....
needless to say it soaked up 5 minutes of an interview and i got the offer
If you passed L1 of the CFA.. you'd know it's against the standards to say 'passed level 1' on your resume. You're supposed to note it as 'CFA level 2 candidate'. Not to mention, "successfully passed" is repetitive... You can't unsuccessfully pass, can you?
don't do a bullet for every series. List them as "series 7, 66, " etc
Increase alpha? You didnt increase alpha. You were a goddamn intern. And What the fuck is a tactical allocation strategy? You are not at war. You are applying to a job.
Vlookup, excel jr leader, what the fuck?
I've lost patience with this. Enough.
agree with above
@ AVPGuerilla: Actually if you look at Level 1, Book 1 Ethical and Professional standards (VII. RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CFA INSTITUTE MEMBER OR CFA CANDIDATE) It clearly states that you can reference that you passed level 1 of the exam. There is a lot of incorrect information about how to reference your CFA candidacy but if you look in the book they clearly spell it out with examples. It just goes to show that if you say something authoritatively and forcefully people are most likely going to believe you, even if you are clearly wrong.
I did take your advice however and took out all the separate bullets on the series. I’m not an intern, you read it wrong. Also tactical vs. strategic allocations are very common in PWM.
Everyone else thank you for the useful advice! I can solve the rubik’s cube but am reluctant to put it on the resume because that seems gimmicky to me. I did however put that I taught Lil Jon how to snowboard (I was a snowboard instructor after college, talking about that always burns about 5-10 min in an interview). I don’t know it everyone will find that amusing but worth a shot I figure. I also added some more measurable/specific results and will continue to do so. Please keep the comments coming.
Also any advice on where to look or am I on the right track there?
yes you can reference that you passed level I, but you are referencing it wrong. It should read: "Level II Candidate in the CFA Program"
I am not referencing it wrong, look in the CFA curriculum, Book 1, Page 146-148. There is a 2 page spread of all the acceptable and not acceptable ways to express your standing with the CFAI. Word for word I have used one of the methods listed under the correct column.
Regardless I am less interested in one line on my resume (which is correct according to the CFAI, no matter what you read on a random blog or some website) and more interested in how to break out of PWM.
Taught Lil Jon to snowboard??
Him and his entourage, a couple girls, and some kids came to Keystone, CO and took lessons. He got private lessons for pretty much everybody (really expensive). He basically rented half the adult ski school. He is actually a pretty cool guy.
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