Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is an internationally recognized course that ensures a surefire way to enter Investment banking. Once you become a Charter holder, you have access to the international career network of the CFA Institute and can actively find yourself a suitable job in another country. If you are already working in a global firm, the CFA Charter can also act as a springboard for you to get global postings within your firm.
So how shall you go about it?
- Complete and clear all exams and work towards the 48 months work experience criteria. Then apply for a CFA Charter –
- Once you are a Charter holder, access the CFA Institute website career resource “JobLine” to track and apply for jobs abroad.
- Alternatively, network with your local CFA Chapter members and look for postings abroad.
- Subscribe to newsletters and job alerts published by job portals in other countries (e.g: SEEK.com for Australia/NZ or Gulftalent.com for UAE jobs).
- Network and publicize your CFA charter on LinkedIn and other career networking websites.
- Don’t fail to mention the CFA Charter in your resume and use it as a keyword to get the right hits in regular job portals other than Job Line.
- If you are already working in a global firm, you can negotiate for a global posting after qualifying.
- Even if you do not have a CFA Charter, if you have at least cleared the exams, you should mention that on your resume as well.
Let’s check out opportunities for CFA Charterholders abroad –
Australia
UAE
USA
Germany
United Kingdom
Geographic Distribution of CFA Charters awarded in 2014 –
Region | % of CFA Charters |
North America | 65% |
Latin America & Caribbean | 1% |
Middle East & Africa | 6% |
Asia Pacific | 15% |
Europe | 16% |
Source: CFA Institute
In short, the above insights prove that Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a high yielding profile which can ensure a promising future almost across the globe. North America remains a popular option and most assumed job function is a Portfolio Manager.