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Career Change

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    • Avatar of ChristianBaleChristianBale
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        • CFA Level 2
        10 Aug 2018 at 11:46 pm
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        I am considering a career change from Accountant to Fixed Income Analyst. Experience: Accountant for 4 years, Corporate Financial Analyst (FP&A – big picture management accounting) for 3 years, Investment Analyst for 1 year. Education: designated accountant and writing CFA Level 2 June 2016. I have experience in financial reporting, treasury, writing research reports, and financial modeling & analysis. My experience as an Accountant and Financial Analyst were in non-financial institutions.

        I am ok starting as a Junior Analyst and I know I can do the work, but the problem is getting the interview. Once companies see that I have mostly accounting experience, they may not consider me. My internet research indicates that Fixed Income Analysts got hired as a junior analysts at a bank and worked their way up. Education wise, I am not far behind. Although a lot of current Fixed Income Analysts have the CFA and MBA, there are still some who just have a degree.

        I’m open to feedback – how would I break in to a junior position and climb the later?

      • Avatar of itsalwayslupusitsalwayslupus
        Participant
          • CFA Level 3
          12 Aug 2018 at 4:49 am
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          If your issue is getting the interview, then networking is your answer. Reach out to friends and friends of friends (who hopefully know how awesome you are and how great you’d be as a Junior Analyst) that are in relevant (or know people to are in relevant) positions and get them to get you a foot in the door. This may be a coffee chat with someone, submitting your CV in, anything. 

          Keep at this and you should be able to get an interview at some point. It’s tough, nerve-wracking and demoralizing. But:

          1. Don’t give up, it will come, and
          2. Don’t say ‘I don’t know anyone’. Ask your friends if they know anyone. Then ask them if they know anyone. Reach out to long-lost friends. People who network successfully don’t necessarily know the most people, they’re just willing to dig deeper.

          Good luck!

        • Avatar of GelinatorGelinator
          Participant
            • CFA Level 3
            27 Aug 2018 at 12:42 am
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            @ChristianBale Keep me posted on your move, how hard the transition was and how your background worked for/against you?
            Pretty much doing the same here.

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