CFA >> Associate
This might have been discussed, but please humor me...
What is the best way for someone who passes the level 3 CFA (in June obviously) to break into an associate role at a BB or at the least a tier below BB?
Is this ever done? Certainly it's not nearly as common as MBA, but I imagine banks do offer CFAs positions in their Associate classes...what is the best way to get into the interview pipeline? How is the CFA regarded in IB (not equ. research)?
Thanks in advance to all honest and knowledgable respondees.
CFA is not required nor is it given any particular special treatment for IB. People will actually look at you weird if you have it. It's like having a JD and trying to be an Associate. It's nice, but not really needed. It's mainly for IR and Asset Management (buy side)
I guess I should have prefaced that as an alternative to someone who didn't really think an MBA was worth the time/$ investment, is a CFA at least given consideration.
Without beating a dead horse, CFA=hard work, long nights, etc etc...surely bankers respect that, and coupled with 3-4 yrs. other work experience (finance related, not back office crap), no?
no, they won't care
The point of the CFA is to compliment your work expirience not start it. Most of the things tested in the CFA exam have nothing to do with IB and all to do with Asset Management. Its a great 3 letter designation if you want to break into research or buy side but not if you want IB. CFA is an inch wide and a mile deep but a bank wants an MBA because with an MBA you are a mile wide but an inch deep. Get what I'm saying.
CFA isn't particularly relevant for an IB Associate position, so it won't help.
Well, the best way is old fashioned networking...like the others said, CFA isn't particularly relevant to banking but it's not going to hurt you. I would think that your best bet would be to try to enter in research and then transition to banking once you have your foot in the door.
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