If you have a Tier 1/2 MBA, or plan on getting one, then CFA can make your candidature for IB roles look attractive. If you have maintained a history of good grades and/ or went to a decent undergrad uni, that will help too. However, a CFA without a good background will not land you a decent Investment Banking roles. You could still end up in some other finance functions such as Risk, Treasury, Retail, etc.

Hello @HarperStern  would like to seek your guidance, I am preparing for my CFA L1.

Product Marketing Manager

IB Associate

I'm a L2 Candidate man, even I can't figure it out.

One thing I'd say is, it's not all rosy.

Was planning to start CFA this year. Would like some practical insights regarding the job situation. Thanks

Welcome to Personal Finance's Private Community

CFA Jobs Reality

Company secretary 

CFA Jobs Reality- Grapevine

I'm a chem engineer with MBA in Finance (Tier 2 cllg). While pursuing my MBA I had two priorities clear - 1. Dont want a sales role & 2. Don't want to join a tech company (not exactly good with tech stack). As luck would have it, I joined IBM few months ago in a sales role 🥲
Since then I have been thinking a lot about my future. I need some external advice as I am already biased against the sales role -
1. In a situation like mine, should one immediately switch profile if possible or get some experience in sales before trying to switch?
2. Is it even possible to make the switch if I spend a couple of years here?
3. How difficult it is to make the switch to finance roles (financial analyst or similar) without a CFA and solely on MBA finance? I'm prepping for CFA but will appear next year post April. 

TIA

Changing into Finance Domain or Wait it Out?

Sales

Hi Grapevine, 

I'm Arnav, Director of Engg at Jio Cinema. I previously exited my startup to Scaler. Some of you may know me from ScalerPod. I've also led engineering teams at Zomato & Target. 

Here to chat with you about my journey in startups, leading engineering teams, and products at scale, among other things.

Ask me your question. I'll be back at 8 pm and begin answering!

I'm Arnav Gupta, Director of Engineering at Jio Cinema. Ask me anything!

Software Developer

Welcome to Business Roles's Private Community

I am 25yr old, Business graduate, CFA L2 with 1.5 years experience in banking and around 2.5 years in family business. Currently looking for a non-tech job. Any suggestions or probably referrals would be highly appreciated.

Looking for a job/job referral

Hello Grapevine folks,
I am currently a final year student at one of the IIIT. I am not satisfied in pursuing a tech role in future .

Since I want to change my career I am clear that I have to go in management role . But I have not decided which specialisation I am inclined to . 

I will attempt CAT exam this year . Should I also prepare for CFA ? Does it increases placement and career prospects after and during MBA?

Please guide me what should I do.

Prepare for CFA or not?

I am currently in my final year, at one of the top commerce colleges in India. Pursuing Bachelor in Commerce and will also appear for my CFAL1 exam in November. 

I worked really hard for placement season, a few IB firms were expected to come but it doesn't look like they'll be hiring given the economic scenario. 

If someone holds any position in such roles like IB, Private Equity, Equity Research etc. could they please tell what I could work on and what the industry requirements are from a fresher? 

Also how do I go about applying off-campus, since I don't believe I'll be getting many opportunities On-Campus?

Getting into Core Finance Roles

Finance Consultant

So basically an Engineering plus MBA guy here , stuck in a job that has nothing to do with finance under a manager who undermines every effort towards simplifying things and I'm considering upgrading myself to something better.

So CFAs of grapevine what do you recommend , wher to start what to avoid and everything in between

CFAs where did you take your first step?

Finance Operations

Desperately looking for job opportunities in Biz Fin/FP&A profiles with required experience of 3-5 years range. Can someone please refer/share any vacancies?

Job Hunt!

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

How’s the market situation currently? 
Are you getting enough calls? 
What skills are getting more attention- is it gen-ai, is it cloud, is it full stack ? 
What all needs to be prepped for more than 12++ yrs experience 
How much preparation is needed? 
Are the interviews getting tougher? 
Pls help- I’m under paid, haven’t got hike, bonus, gdp nothing i got and been given stupid reasons and no approvals for leaves also.. 

Simply frustrating and wanting to start preparing for interviews..

Have ppl tried to switch recently ?

Frontend Engineer

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

Recently, I interviewed a senior individual about their job hunting experience after 8 months, 50+ interviews, and interactions with 10+ companies. What they shared is quite eye-opening and worth sharing with my fellow Grapeviners to stay informed about the current market trends.

There's a concerning trend of false interviews or what some might call "candidate fishing." Companies seem dissatisfied with many candidates they encounter initially, leading to rejections for trivial reasons or minor interview slip-ups. This indicates an oversupply of candidates in the market.

Most companies have multiple candidates lined up for each job role, creating unnecessary backups. Consequently, last-minute job offer declines are not uncommon, even after successfully navigating through all interview rounds.

The interview process itself can be lengthy, ranging from one to two months, with interviews scheduled during weekends, late nights, and early mornings becoming more common.

Some common reasons for rejection include:

1. Diversity hiring concerns
2. Expectations of being a master of everything
3. Common interview formats with overwhelming ratios like 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1, putting candidates on the spot
4. Companies adopting a "Why should we not hire you?" mindset
5. Scrutiny over resume details, such as short job stints, despite ongoing industry layoffs
6. Negative assumptions about candidates from top tech companies (FAANG) looking for new roles
7. Rejections after multiple rounds (7-10 rounds) of interviews
8. Ghosting becoming a prevalent issue

If you're experiencing these challenges, remember that you're not alone. Many others are facing similar issues. Hang in there; the tide will eventually turn.

Job Market Reality Check

Lawyer

I am a 21-year-old fresher based out of Mumbai with an experience of less than a Year. Most of my time was allocated to studying for the CFA L2 examination which by now I have cleared. I am looking for jobs in core finance and would appreciate any help provided by you people regarding any current openings at your firm.

Job Openings for freshers in Core finance

Investment Analyst

I'm going to be graduating from BBA, tier 3 college. I fucked up in 10 and a bit in 12th i took commerce, even though i was interested in building product and working on technical aspect of things. Then in the covid period, i panicked and thought I'll probably loose my year if I'll wait to take addmission thus took admission in tier 3 college, half of the college period i attended from home, in the mean time i learned little bit of scripting and built some shitass blockchain project which ended up amounting to nothing but i enjoyed that. Now idk what I'm gonna do in future. 


Currently I'm working towards studying for CFA lvl 1. 
Why? I've loved financial aspects of valuations of companies so thought i might as well do this in the time I'm unemployed.

I think my end goal is to work somewhere where i can solve product related problems or evaluate new startups. 
Consulting sounds cool too BUT me being from a tier 3 college i feel like I don't have a chance.

 Hell, i don't even know what's the purpose of my rant here, but hey if you have something to share please do :)

Graduating this year, scared af

Hi everyone, I am somebody who hasn't interviewed in a while and wanted to get a quick pulse about how the job market is right now. Looking to hear about personal anecdotes. What has your experience been like in today's market compared to 2021? For people who got a huge hike in 2021, how have your appraisals been like? Are you facing issues while switching?

Personally, I haven't been getting random emails from recruiters like I used to get back in 2020/21. Have you also seen a slowdown?

For people who have not been looking out, how have appraisals been for you this year compared to 2021 when attrition was quite high?

Current job market

Software Engineer

I'm in my final year. Commerce Grad. CFA L1 cleared.

What are the potential finance roles I could be looking at Big4s?

Also any information on any Finance Vacancies would be highly appreciated!

Finance Roles at Big4

I am starting as an Associate in a management consulting firm. From all the more experienced folks out here, would love to hear about your first job experiences. Things that you did that made it a better experience or things that you wish you had done (or not done). Really anxious about it, so any random experiences are also welcome!

Starting work in a month, would love some advice!

Management Consultant

Hey all,

I could really use some advice here. I'm a software developer working in a small service-based company, and I've been here for 1.5 years. My initial contract is ending this month, and now I have to decide whether to sign another bond to stay for another year.

Here's the thing: I don't want to sign the bond. I feel like it's time to explore new opportunities, but I'm also worried about the job market. I currently don't have any offers on hand.

For context, I'm working in Surat and I'm open to opportunities in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Coimbatore. My current CTC is 2.5 LPA, and if I stay, I'll get a bump to 3.8 LPA.

Should I take the risk and start applying to new jobs, or should I play it safe and stick around for another year? How hard is it to get a job in those cities right now? Any advice or experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Advice Needed] Stuck in a Dilemma: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Welcome to Fintech India's Private Community

Hi folks,
I recently completed a BBA. I do not want to do an MBA rn, but have a keen interest in finance. 

Could you just a few short term courses I can pursue to upskill myself and become job ready???

How do I make a career in finance?

Welcome to IT Company Discussion's Private Community

I am 22 years old , graduated from a tier 2.5 university , just getting started with my first job as SWE( Data science) at a top USA based MNC from the Bangalore office. I have plans to pursue masters after gaining 2 years of work experience. Interested to pursue masters in financial engineering or quant related discipline. 
Should I give CFA to increase my chances of selection in those courses ? Also any recommendations or resources to get into quant area.

CFA Jobs Reality

Discover More

Personal Finance on

by Dezi Taye

IBM

Changing into Finance Domain or Wait it Out?

AMA on

by Kendall Carmden

Viacom18

I'm Arnav Gupta, Director of Engineering at Jio Cinema. Ask me anything!

Business Roles on

by Coy Lee

Student

Looking for a job/job referral

Business Roles on

by Matilda Denver

Student

Prepare for CFA or not?

Business Roles on

by Kendall Hyrum

Student

Getting into Core Finance Roles

Personal Finance on

by Anise Lee

Capital india

CFAs where did you take your first step?

Personal Finance on

by Jordon Carmden

Ola Cabs

Job Hunt!

Software Engineers on

by Blair Carmden

IBM

Have ppl tried to switch recently ?

Indian Startups on

by Dezi Taye

Stealth

Job Market Reality Check

Mumbai on

by Dezi Lee

Others

Job Openings for freshers in Core finance

Personal Finance on

by Kalan Vernon

Student

Graduating this year, scared af

Software Engineers on

by Coy Carmden

Unemployed

Current job market

Big 4 on

by Aaron Lee

Student

Finance Roles at Big4

Business Roles on

by Matilda Carmden

Stealth

Starting work in a month, would love some advice!

Software Engineers on

by Aaron Carmden

Stealth

[Advice Needed] Stuck in a Dilemma: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Fintech India on

by Kalan Lee

Student

How do I make a career in finance?

IT Company Discussion on

by Aaron Dean

US Based MNC, India location

Decision to give CFA