Anyone out there with a charter who works in research sales or product specialist? Do you find it gives you more of a competitive advantage, or most clients don’t give a …
I don’t work as a product specialist, but I’ve interviewed for specialist positions. Passing Level II in one case was the difference between being shown the door after 10 minutes and going on to “win” the interview. The CFA stuff didn’t seal the deal, but it did turned the interview around 180 degrees. Unfortunately for me, the company doesn’t exist anymore. But the story shows that they do care. The clients may or may not care about the charter, but your bosses are going to want to say “oh, Gaffano is good, he’s got a CFA charter and really knows his stuff.” Clients are going to want to know that you know what you’re doing. They may or may not know anything about what the CFA program is, but the relationship managers use your charter status to reassure them that you’re hot stuff.