Why am I facing difficulty in making career in Finance?

[PrakharT]

Hi,

I am an Indian, living in UAE, working in the Loyalty Analytics Department in one of the biggest retail chain. This is my second job after graduation, which I did from one of the prestigious institute in India (5 year Integrated Degree with BTech IT + MBA General with thesis in CAPM). I have a total experience of around 2.5 years in Business and Consumer Analytics. I did my thesis in FRM, cleared Actuarial papers, worked in analytics. I know my profile looks completely inconsistent because I tried my hands everywhere and was never sure what I wanted to do in long term, until last year when I decided to pursue MS in Financial Engineering. Along with preparing my application for FE, I tried to find job in the relevant field as well (not in a regress manner, but I did). I got admit from UIUC and UMn and was interviewed by Columbia MFE. I believe that my experience is a biggest reason for rejection from Columbia and with relevant experience in the field, I am quite sure that I can make it to TOP 8.

With this in mind, I have been trying very hard to get job in the financial sector, but the problem is I am not getting calls. I don't know why but I am not. I really know finance to an extent. I was not good at programming but in the last one year, have put in considerable efforts in C++, Python, and R. But, still companies are not considering or may be I am lacking something, which I am not able to figure out. I know that I can crack interviews but for that I should at least get interview calls
I really want that I get a relevant job profile and then I go for MFE next year in a biggest brand. Can you guys suggest me something which I should do in order to get job in the financial field.

PS: I work in Dubai, so my priority in UAE only. But, I don't have any problem going back to India for a good opportunity

 

[PrakharT]

Can anybody help?

 

[IntoDarkness]

columbia mfe admits seas of students without any experience watsoever. i dont think lacking of related experience was the reason.

 

[PrakharT]

columbia mfe admits seas of students without any experience watsoever. i dont think lacking of related experience was the reason.

May be.. but if I'll have relevant experience, I'll have better chances.. Whatever, I request you to not change the focus of the post. My question is completely different.. request you to please stick to the point..
Thanks

 

[Keith Tan]

u have nothing to offer to finance companies.
- no finance degree, no hard science degree, no engineering degree, either one
- no programming projects to show or talk about
- resume/cover letter not worded properly.
- not tactful in replies.

getting relevant job profile seems redundant. after MFE you have plenty of opportunities to do so.

 

[PrakharT]

u have nothing to offer to finance companies.
- no finance degree, no hard science degree, no engineering degree, either one
- no programming projects to show or talk about

I have engineering degree Keith. BTech in Information Technology. MBA was general but I did my these on unconditional CAPM. Yes, I don't have many programming projects except few in MATLAB..

- resume/cover letter not worded properly.
- not tactful in replies.

I didn't follow this part. Can you elaborate?

 

[Keith Tan]

hi, usually employers look for BSc, BA or BEng. BTech does not count. Thesis and CAPM is just a theory which in practical uses is flawed. you need concrete finance experience. Can i suggest you to offer entry-level skills like spreadsheet programming or back-office or administrative roles to get your foot in the door. You could do credit analytics even if there's a chance.

well, some parts of your texts are not grammar-ed properly, i have trouble understanding your situation. I am worried this applies to your resume/cover letter.

 

[IntoDarkness]

idk any finance in uae. but in us, ppl with ur profile usually end up in back office. u can start from there and hopefully move to middle office (i.e. better back office).

 

[PrakharT]

hi, usually employers look for BSc, BA or BEng. BTech does not count. Thesis and CAPM is just a theory which in practical uses is flawed. you need concrete finance experience. Can i suggest you to offer entry-level skills like spreadsheet programming or back-office or administrative roles to get your foot in the door. You could do credit analytics even if there's a chance.

well, some parts of your texts are not grammar-ed properly, i have trouble understanding your situation. I am worried this applies to your resume/cover letter.

Your suggestion is valuable.. Sorry that you faced problem understanding my situation as I wrote it in a hurry but yeah, this is not acceptable.. I am going to skim through my resume tonight and find out if such is a case..

 

[PrakharT]

idk any finance in uae. but in us, ppl with ur profile usually end up in back office. u can start from there and hopefully move to middle office (i.e. better back office).

I am absolutely fine with a back-end job right if it is in finance. I am going to follow Keith's suggestions and will apply in such positions. If I have some relevant experience under my belt, that'll be a plus I guess (Not only in college selection but after MFE as well)