REVIEW MY CV: Help! I left the market to do a Masters and now I can't get back in...

19 July 2010

3 minute read

REVIEW MY CV: Help! I left the market to do a Masters and now I can't get back in...

I've got 3.5 years' investment banking experience, all from the same French bank, and have worked both in London and Paris. Last March, I decided to leave and study a masters degree. I'm about to complete this, and am trying to find a position either in fixed income or derivatives sales. I have been looking for 2 months. However, I don't have any FX, rates, or other fixed income experience and my client list has gotten old (over 1 year) during the time I was out of the markets to study.

So far I've had five interviews, which seemed to go quite well. But I haven't had any offers. Can anyone give me some advice?

Professional Experience

London & Paris

Feb 2006 - March 2009

Major French bank, Sales and Structuring

· Junior Sales of structured investment solutions to financial institutions in Central & Eastern Europe, CIS, South Africa & Turkey

· Assistant Sales of structured investment solutions to financial institutions in Scandinavia and the Netherlands

· Structuring/Marketing of investment products for pensions funds, insurance companies, private banks and asset managers, portfolio optimisation, global mandate

London, United Kingdom

Aug 2005 - Feb 2006

A Nordic government, Internship

· Promoted and assisted foreign direct investments to the country concerned for UK and Irish corporations

· Primarily worked with institutional clients within life science, ICT and alternative energy

May 2005 - July 2005

Institute of Finance at Nordic Business School, Student Assistant

Educational Background

Copenhagen, Denmark

Sep 2009 - exp. Dec 2010

Copenhagen Business School, M.Sc. Economics & Finance, specialising in Management of Innovation & Business Development

Copenhagen, Denmark

Aug 2002 - June 2005

Copenhagen Business School, B.Sc. Economics and Business Administration

· Bachelor Thesis: "Reasons for expansion in the Danish LBO market 1999 - 2004" (Grade 10/12)

o Examining the Danish private equity market, identifying LBO target companies through cash flow analysis, analysing an LBO capital structure and corporate governance issues

Paris, France

Aug 2004 - Feb 2005

Université Paris IX Dauphine, Erasmus Exchange Semester

· Main focus on management courses (Grade 16/20)

Copenhagen, Denmark

Aug 1999 - June 2002

Nathalie Zahles Gymnasium, Mathematical High School Diploma & German Abitur

Languages

· Danish (Native), Polish (Native), English (Fluent), German (Good), French (Good)

Computer Skills

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Database Management, frequent user of Bloomberg & Reuters, Numerous Pricing Tools and Trading Systems

Interests and Achievements

· Art Dealing

· Classical and Rhythmical Piano-playing

If you would like your CV reviewed anonymously on eFinancialCareers, please email our editors at Editor@eFinancialCareers.com

AUTHORAnonymous

Insider Comment

Jo
Journeyman
16 September 2010
for positions like sales/trading/IB, i believe masters such as MBA, MFin or MFinEng is often the most direct route if you do not have good contacts. BUT there is never a good time to do a masters for the mkt can turn ridiculously quickly in just 1-2years... and if you don't get your dream sector, try other paths that lead to it eventually or even an internship... good luck!
Reply
Sh
Shanker
7 September 2010
Hi... I hope by now you have found success... but still want to say a word.
I have seen people criticising on your decision about leaving for pursuing Masters... I'd just ignore them. Somethings we do by calculation and somethings for satisfaction. Your Masters will fit into either case. As I have no financial industry experience/contacts, all I can say is just remember the days how you got your first job, the attitude you have shown in the interview. After many years may be your attitude/approach have changed. Just adjust it and I hope that will work. When things get delayed or not as planned, just think its not your day and wait for your day....believe me it will come as it had come to each and everyone even to the unluckiest person in the world. At the end all I say is...believe in your self, don't let any pessimistic thought into your brain, be positive, use all your contacts even the friends of your friends, do not divert your attention, if you can meditate every day. Wish you all the best and good luck.
Shanker.
shankernemani@yahoo.com
Reply
Al
Alex
21 July 2010
@ senior sales manager in finance (woman)-May have been a good point had we not know it was from a woman
Reply
se
senior sales manager in financ
21 July 2010
Some of the above comments are trivial and limited, some more constructive and intelligent. The MS.C is always an attribute especially if you are aiming for managerial roles - even within sales. You might want to look into private banking. as someone already mentioned 2 months in these markets is short, so give it a bit more and something should come up. The Cv is very good, all you need to do is work on your interview techniques!
Reply
Ma
Masters Holder
20 July 2010
Did you try Cantor; they are supposedly hiring, but many mixxed signals. How about other fixed income brokers?
Reply