I from India and I am interested to do job/work experience in the field of finance as a financial analyst (preferably in a Private Equity and Venture Capital Fund Company) in Canada which has better work opportunities and global exposure.
Cleared Level 1 in Dec, 2011 and gave Level 2 in June, 2012
Can anyone guide me regarding the job opportunities in Canada (Does CFA help in getting good jobs)? I have a work experience of about 1 year
Please please people provide me guidance on this matter… Extremely important for me…
Can’t speak for the country as a whole, but I’ve had no luck. Not even passed l1 though so you’d have a better chance. Locally (Calgary ab) I know gimp securities was hiring, but that was about a month ago. Could also look into Macquarie Tristone, Peters & Co., or McLean & Partners. Or in Edmonton Firma FX or KV Capital have both been hiring recently. Far from an exhaustive list, but they’re freshest on my memory.
As far as getting the job, well, I had no luck. You may do better.
Start in BO and network your way up? Sorry but passing Level 1 and even Level 2 (though passing L 2 will probably get you in the door), doesn’t mean that much. Experience counts for much more.
Also PE/VC gigs are only attained after doing a two year IB stint. Honestly you’ll really have to work your tail off to get there.
The traditional path to PE or VC normally involves paying your dues in IB. For those who cannot transition right away, go back to b school. The position you want is not called ‘financial analyst’ btw.
I job hunted like crazy for jobs in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, having passed L1 and got nowhere. And I’m a Canadian citizen too, so I don’t really see them going it if they need to sponsor some work visa for you, especially with only 1 year of experience.
I’m not trying to burst your bubble, just try to be realistic. Canada’s finance job markets are pretty concentrated in a few areas and I couldn’t find many open positions. I applied for everything in sight and never even got a phone interview.
Alladin, I am 34 years old and am sure they wont take me for these graduate schemes right? I am an IT programmer, so not sure how I can make the shift… Hope is not such a bad thing
At 34 you have only one chance - MBA and network like crazy - but even then your chances are slim. You will have to try and leverage off your previous experience - so aiming for a boutique house specialising in IT after your MBA is your only hope.
Otherwise - dont waste your money on the CFA or MBA and stick with your programming and go work for Google or Facebook.
its funny someone posted the ONEX is hiring…haha…that is the preeminent PE firm in Canada and problably one of the hardest to get into…your CFA means nothing, most who work there don’t have it…they’re normally ex investment bankers with an MBA…
CFA level 1 just shows ur interest in finance. I am 28, work in oil and gas company. I see plenty of opportunities for me after clearing CFA level 1 in Calgary.
And, to be frank even CFA doesnot mean any thing …you need to have relevant experience and do ninja networking
No offense. You basically have zero chance. There are literally tens of thousands of people enrolled in CFA program, and many have passed level 2 with experiences in the industry.
