You're smarter than me, so point me in the right direction

I'm finishing up my Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and looking to land a job in the compliance/investigations/business analysis area.

Most companies are only hiring candidates who have strong backgrounds in financial analysis and/or who possess "strong investigative skills". Such expectations are generally between 3-5 years experience.

While I do have experience in business (operations/account management), I admittedly have no real applicable, specific skills for these positions.

I was looking to find out where my first baby steps should be taken.

Thank you

5 Comments
 

have you considered investigations at a consulting firm? some have "D&I" or disputes and investigations work...they do litigation/compliance/investigations type work. they hire at the entry level and look for finance/accountants along with other majors.

 
Best Response

I faced similar problems with my abysmal 2.0 GPA.

Firstly, I took the CAIA & CFA...simultaneously. Secondly, I applied for admin jobs at big brands. I started my banking career manning the reception desk and filing documents. I'd write about how my stats background helped me 'categorize' and 'be organized'. Crazy, i know.

I stuck close to the anlysts (where I wanted to be) and befriended the VP. Begged the guy to let me do anything in his department even if it meant filing documents. He hired me as a department assistant (ie librarian).

Killed my first CAIA & CFA papers while other analysts flunked. VP took notice. Gave me a desk. Never looked back ever since.

__________
 

for compliance... here's my story

i interviewed with my current place for summer intern in compliance and got dinged. on the very next day after ding, hr called again saying the director who interviewed me thought i was good for the firm so recommended me to risk, so i got a summer job at risk. during the time i went to trading floor often and talked to traders nonstop. when full time offer came i was placed to trading.

 

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