Is passing CFA Level 1 good enough to switch jobs?

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konnichiwa

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Hello everybody,

This is my first post but I have been reading the forum for some time. I even have started to like some of you who post often :)

I took CFA Level 1 this June and am waiting results. If I pass, I am considering of switching jobs. Here's my background:

Education: B.E and M.E. in Computer Engineering from the best univ in Japan
Nationality: Foreigner with native level proficiency in Japanese and English
Experience: 1.5 years as an IT Specialist at a top multinational IT firm
Location: Tokyo
Wanna switch to: Front office in Investment Bank or Hedge Fund

What do you guys think are my prospects? Is Level 1 good enough? Should I wait till I pass Level 2? Or should I go get an MBA instead?

I know there's no straightforward answer to this, but your input could be valuable for my decision-making process.

Thank you v much!
 
Why wait... might as well try


do you like me? i want to add to my online epopularity
 
Well, I haven't finished any of the levels, but i'll say something anyways.

I think you should focus on one thing at a time and see what the results are. But looking at your credentials (which are impressive btw), you seem have little to no experience in the related field of finances which could hamper your chances of landing on an ideal finance related job. Your 1.5 yrs as an IT specialist will help you, but just dunno if that'll go very far in terms of the finance world.

I would suggest you go ahead and finish lvl2 and 3 if you pass 1, doesn't make sense not to, imo :)

I was just searching for jobs recently (in the finance area) and some of the postings asked for CFAs or CFAs-in-Progress, so there's definitely a demand for those who are in the midst of getting their desgination.

But if you happen to land on a decent financing job and the company seeks potential in you, i'm sure they'll be more than happy to even pay for ur lvl2 and 3 to keep you.

In short, I think if u pass lvl1 and look for a finance job (which I think won't pay you as well as ur IT job) which pays decent, you'll be fine.

If the switch is that important and you pass lvl1, I would get a head start and get a new job.
 
I would say to look for a position. You need 4 years experience to use the charter, so you might as well start getting 'on the clock.' What's the worst that could happen? You make the change and find you don't like the field. However, you have some additional knowledge that could help you in running finance related IT projects.
 
Thank you guys for the quick reply!!

>shadefx,
i just realized that you had already made 304 posts to the forum. you must be cool!

>n8236,
thanks for taking your time!
i am involved in IT projects making systems for banks, but aside that, i have no experience in finance. and yea, i have made up my mind to take all three levels.
most probably, i will start looking once i pass level 1.

>StealthPlanner
yea, i would better get 'on the clock'!

>everyone
Any other 'weapon' (certification, anything...) that I may wanna have so that I am more well-equipped for the switch?
 
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