It shows you have a plan that is (presumably) appropriate for the industry you are targeting and know something that you ought to be doing.
The first time I was in an interview and said that I’d started the CFA program, the guy told me that he thought it was a very good idea for me to do that. It wasn’t a hiring interview, but he thought it was a smart decision nonetheless. If your guy thinks it’s a smart decision, that can work in your favor. But if Greenman is the guy on the other side of the desk, maybe it works against you.
People who are charterholders will tend to look favorably on those who are enrolled in the program. At the very least, it subconsciously validades their past decisions, and it also gives people some sense that they know where they are coming from.
Since you haven’t passed any levels of the exam, don’t expect it to work miracles (even if you have passed a few levels, you probably shouldn’t expect miracles), but it can help on the margins.
Maybe skim over the program and be able to talk about what parts look challenging or less challenging for you, so if you are asked about the exam, you at least have something to say beyond “I’m planning to sign up for it.”
