Equity Research and Valuation Job Seekers Blue Print to Success

I almost certainly guarantee you that if you follow the blue print presented in this article it would indeed make the interviewers job extremely difficult to reject your application. Why can i say this with confidence is the fact that for over 9 years in my role as Head of Research, Equities I have mostly worked with freshers. I have interviewed hundreds of job aspirants and poured over thousands of resumes. I have seen prospects come well prepared for canned interview questions which i never ask and when they are stumped by my questions they leave dejected. And it is from these experiences that I draw certain tips which if you employ will raise your prospects of being employed in your dream job several fold.

So what are the things that you need to do 

1. Be realistic and introspect honestly if you have the capabilities of an analyst. If you are sure of yourself that's great! But if unsure there is no reason to be dejected. The next question to then ask is whether you have the ability to learn the skills required for

• logical analysis and deduction
• critical reasoning and drawing inference
• establishing cause and effect relationships
• possess excellent financial analysis skills
• establishing a base case and building out a forecast based on the same
• good presentation and report writing skills
• good articulation and verbal communication skills
• clear knowledge of tax laws 
• diversified domain knowledge

2. Finally if you have the ability do you then have the tenacity and willingness to 

• to imbibe all the above
• put in long hours
• sacrifice your sleep
• be a self starter and proactive in your approach
• learn from multiple case studies of the past and apply these learnings to forthcoming scenarios
• seek out professional coaching to imbibe the subject skills. But learn form an experienced and reputed master.
• most of all willingness to not rest on your laurels. Cause an analyst is as good as only his previous recommendation

If you past this grueling step then congratulations! You are now already a potential analyst.

3. Next is to network. For cold calling is never going to land you that job. Instead try connecting with the decision makers. Let everyone know you are job searching. Most of you have networked very well as I can see from your interactions with me. But that's not enough. You are just indulging in followup to your cold calling if i may say so!

4. You need to add value. And for this we need to flip the situation to understand how we can do just that.

So try to get into the recruiters shoes and see for yourself what value addition means. It sort of helps the interviewer size you up and decide on whether you are tailor made for the open position. The recruiter, among other soft skills, is looking to see    whether you have the passion for equity research. He / she is also sizing you up to see whether your skill set match the requirements of the position for which you are applying.

One good way to demonstrate your skill set and abilities is to reach out to equity research personnel with decision making authorities and offer to intern with them, either full time or part time. This can be done months before you graduate and are still part of the academia.

When undergoing an internship give your heart and soul to the project you are working on. Work to the best of your ability and don't be afraid to raise any queries about matters which you have no understanding off. Asking questions and clarifying doubts as an intern presents you as a serious contender who is willing to go the extra mile and speed up the learning curve.

Do not be in the pursuit of money. If the internship offers you a stipend great! Be thankful. Else be contented with the fact that the internship is providing you with zero cost learning which from the experience point of view is priceless.

Finally when your work assignment is completed offer to be quizzed or evaluated on the work done.

Also demonstrate your other skill sets of how you can add value to company where you seek employment. You need to sell yourself to the recruiter in a subtle way that not hiring you would be a huge loss the the recruiting company. Show them your hunger! 

5. Finally be humble , honest and integral. Keep an open mind. Speak positive words and visualize yourself as having already working in that position. Don’t take rejection personally. Shake it off and Keep going. Your time will come! 

So this, my young friend, is my 5 point template for securing your dream job in equity research and valuation. Go give it a try and if you meet success do say a silent thank you.

In case you have any queries do write in the comments below or DM me or give me a shout on 7021216247 or even email me on [email protected] (that's so arcane).

Anyways wish you luck and every success in search of your dream job. 

if you made it till here then i am sure i may have added some value to your job search. Why not pay it forward by sharing this content on social media and through word of mouth. I am sure your friends and other potential job seekers will find value too!