Just got my membership approved this weekend. Thought I’d give my story to those who might be borderline. I submitted my experience probably 12 times (10 or 11 times for ‘need additional information’, and I think 2 times for affiliate recommendation on not qualifying work experience). Things that I did that helped are: 1) Broke my work experience down into percentages on the front end and then described the duties. I started with ranges (15-20%, 25-30%), but ended with firm percentages. 2) By the end, I had up top ‘Investment Related Activities’ (which totalled 65% of my total duties, other being servicing type stuff that wouldn’t qualify), and then ‘remaining duties’. I think they. 3) Every 3rd or 4th decline or so for ‘additional information’ I’d reply to them asking for some clarification, and thank them for their time and being so great in their responses (they actually were, but I’d advise doing this even if they weren’t). Then I would add this clarification and resubmit. 4) Be very specific on the assets you’re working with or the type of investment product. 5) Be persisetent, and not being affraid to request clarification and request withdrawals of ‘failed’ or ‘affiliate recommended’ applications. I was pretty pumped to get approved, now just LIII and a few bucks and I’ll have to update my business cards.
How much do you suggest to write for the job description (the box is kind of small). The percentage is based on your own personal judgement? Do you have to attach resume?
sleepybird Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > How much do you suggest to write for the job > description (the box is kind of small). The > percentage is based on your own personal > judgement? Do you have to attach resume? I typed mine in word then cut and pasted it in the cfai box.
Thanks. That’s a good idea. But do you max out the character quota in the box? What’s the max character you can write in that box? Thanks. CFA Jay Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > sleepybird Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > How much do you suggest to write for the job > > description (the box is kind of small). The > > percentage is based on your own personal > > judgement? Do you have to attach resume? > > > I typed mine in word then cut and pasted it in the > cfai box.
I did word too - I did my ‘investment related’ stuff up top and tried to be as brief and detailed as possible with the pertinent stuff. Then, I had longer stuff on the bottom of ‘full duties’. I tried to paste but got an error as well, when I finally got approved I pasted my word document in an email response from them (when they provided more clarification about what they were looking for).
sleepybird Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks. That’s a good idea. But do you max out > the character quota in the box? What’s the max > character you can write in that box? Thanks. > > CFA Jay Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > sleepybird Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > How much do you suggest to write for the job > > > description (the box is kind of small). The > > > percentage is based on your own personal > > > judgement? Do you have to attach resume? > > > > > > I typed mine in word then cut and pasted it in > the > > cfai box. not sure. it is on the application. use word count in ms word
Hi everyone. I’ve tried to apply for membership after passing the Level III exam but got the error message below. Any idea what it means? “You must wait for your CFA application to be approved before you can create a new application (CFA_MBRAPP-111) (SBL-EXL-00151)”
I get this too…any help?
If you have an app out (go to ‘check application status’ or whatever). If you want to withdraw, send a ‘service request’ that asks for them to withdraw the app.
I had the same message before. Call to withdraw your previous application. Obviously you submitted the membership application when you sign up for the level 3 exam (that’s what I was told by the rep.). Sign out and sign back in, and you’ll be fine. GlobalProperty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi everyone. I’ve tried to apply for membership > after passing the Level III exam but got the error > message below. Any idea what it means? > > “You must wait for your CFA application to be > approved before you can create a new application > (CFA_MBRAPP-111) (SBL-EXL-00151)”
What’s the reason for suggesting we “request withdrawals of ‘failed’ or ‘affiliate recommended’ applications”?
sleepybird Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I had the same message before. Call to withdraw > your previous application. Obviously you > submitted the membership application when you sign > up for the level 3 exam (that’s what I was told by > the rep.). Sign out and sign back in, and you’ll > be fine. > GlobalProperty Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Hi everyone. I’ve tried to apply for membership > > after passing the Level III exam but got the > error > > message below. Any idea what it means? > > > > “You must wait for your CFA application to be > > approved before you can create a new > application > > (CFA_MBRAPP-111) (SBL-EXL-00151)” Don’t call, just send a service request. JonnyDee Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What’s the reason for suggesting we “request > withdrawals of ‘failed’ or ‘affiliate recommended’ > applications”? I’m not suggesting it, I’m just saying it’s what I did a number of times until I got approved for regular membership (which I think is most people’s goal).
Sorry for the confusion. What I’m trying to understand is the benefit of withdrawing ‘failed’ or ‘affiliate recommended’ applications. Is there an advantage to withdrawing a failed application as opposed to simply submitting a new application? Thanks.
JonnyDee Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sorry for the confusion. What I’m trying to > understand is the benefit of withdrawing ‘failed’ > or ‘affiliate recommended’ applications. Is there > an advantage to withdrawing a failed application > as opposed to simply submitting a new application? > Thanks. Oh - gotcha - yeah because you have to do that to be able to submit a new app in an effort to get ‘regular’ membership recommendation (and it goes to the society as well). I think you have to withdraw to try to get regular unless you did affiliate quite a while ago.
I am trying to resubmit the application… can you or anyone provide any samples for describing working experiences? many thanks.
What information do you have to provide in order to have your work experience accepted (besides employer, duties, title)? Does your former manager have to sign or approve?
Thanks for your story jcole21 That was one thing I was afraid of. If they rejected what you wrote, will that be the end of that experience with that company?! It’s good you can try again and again.
Manager does not need to sign off on your application, although he will be required to fill out the sponsor form online, in which he also has to describe how your work experience relates to the investment decision making process. former trader Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What information do you have to provide in order > to have your work experience accepted (besides > employer, duties, title)? Does your former > manager have to sign or approve?
sleepybird Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Manager does not need to sign off on your > application, although he will be required to fill > out the sponsor form online, in which he also has > to describe how your work experience relates to > the investment decision making process. > > former trader Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > What information do you have to provide in > order > > to have your work experience accepted (besides > > employer, duties, title)? Does your former > > manager have to sign or approve? Can’t you use former colleagues or someone from the society as sponsors? My former manager was not a charterholder anyway.
My understanding is that one of the sponsor must be your supervisor. Although it didn’t specify former or current, but from a reasonable person’s perspective, I think it means current supervisor, but you should call CFAI to clarify that. http://www.cfainstitute.org/mycfa/candidate/membership/apply/Pages/membership_sponsors.aspx