Posted in: Experienced, Qualifications & High Education 2 March 2010 7 answers
Anonymous

Question: Would doing l1 and l2 of CFA be pointless in current job market without a relevant job?

Answers (7)

  1. No. Depending on what you want to do, the CFA qualification is likely to open many doors for you.

  2. It will realistically take you a year to 18 months to complete the first two levels anyway, by which time the market will have hopefully improved. Last time I checked less than 3% of CFA candidates pass all three levels in succession (i.e. no resits) so to complete the designation (only then will the CFA really be a door opener to potential employers) it’s more like a 5-year plan.

  3. Agree. If you are going to pursue a career in portfolio/wealth management, this is relevant.

  4. Def, I graduated in 08 made redundant from my bank almost immediatly (only got 1 month experience, no internship) took CFA 1 and 2 and got crap loads of interviews and offers. Also consider MSc route, IMC/ SII’s as well can really get you in the door.

  5. First get the job, then get the CFA.
    Honestly, if you spend the time that takes to prepare the CFA in applications/networking and still don’t get a job, I don’t think you’ll have better lack after CFA.

  7. yes and no, it will open some doors as you can put it on your CV but as someone else has said, the chances are you will probably have to network your way into a position but I would say start doing it asap since it will show you have the drive to make your career switch a success. ha so really it is a yes but a tentative yes! Good luck!