By Sophie
We at 300 Hours hope you'd good news given the recent Level III results announcement. If not, we hope you don't despair, but take a little time to overcome the disappointment, reflect and learn from this experience - it's too close to give up!
For those who passed, congratulations! We're so glad your hard work, persistence and dedication paid off all these years, and here are 3 things to consider to maximise your CFA credentials.
We at 300 Hours hope you'd good news given the recent Level III results announcement. If not, we hope you don't despair, but take a little time to overcome the disappointment, reflect and learn from this experience - it's too close to give up!
For those who passed, congratulations! We're so glad your hard work, persistence and dedication paid off all these years, and here are 3 things to consider to maximise your CFA credentials.
#1. Get your CFA charter!
Luckily for you, we've neatly summarised all the requirements to get your new CFA title in this infographic:
Luckily for you, we've neatly summarised all the requirements to get your new CFA title in this infographic:
Besides the exams, there are 4 other requirements to earn the right to use the CFA charter:
#2. Boost your job search
Whether you're looking for a career switch, asking for the next promotion, or just interviewing for a new role in general, here are a few things you need to do to boost your chances:
That said, the CFA charter is not a golden ticket to jobs, you need to put the work into tapping your network, interviewing and being able to demonstrate your applicable skills that will add value to the interviewer.
#3. Stay up to date, network, be a 300H contributor
Having experienced the lack of support while studying for our CFA exams years ago, we started the 300 Hours Forum with the goal of guiding CFA candidates through this tough but prestigious exam. We came a long way since then, but we'd like to continue the momentum and would welcome any keen contributor with open arms!
Whether it's something as simple as actively answering questions in the forum or sharing your experiences in detail by becoming a community blogger - every little bit helps! It's always great to have fresh perspective, plus it helps you remember what you've learned when you stay involved. Come say hi in the 300 Hours Forum!
- The Ethics pledge. A straightforward but crucial part of being a CFA charterholder. The CFA Institute takes its members' understanding and upholding of the CFA Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct very seriously, as illustrated by the exams' emphasis on Ethics & Professional Standards. The pledge is thus a quick but important step in the registration process.
- Membership. You will need to obtain membership for 2 societies - the CFA Institute, and a local CFA society. You will need to renew your CFA Institute membership if you want to maintain your right to use the CFA designation, but the local society membership is optional to renew. However local societies can be useful for networking and your career - many candidates join even before passing all 3 exams. Find a local society near you through the CFA Institute directory.
- Relevant work experience. This is the other main barrier to CFA-dom after the exams themselves. The CFA Institute requires 4 years of "relevant work experience" to be sent to them for approval to be eligible for the CFA designation, which can be a challenge depending on what your work experience has been. Read this all-you-need article to get more details on what counts as 'relevant work experience'.
- Sponsors. You will also need sponsors for your CFA membership application. As covered before, this can be 3 professional sponsors, or 2 professional sponsors if one is a current & regular member of the local CFA society you are applying to.
#2. Boost your job search
Whether you're looking for a career switch, asking for the next promotion, or just interviewing for a new role in general, here are a few things you need to do to boost your chances:
- Update your CV and LinkedIn for your shiny new CFA status;
- Know how to land interviews using your updated CFA title;
- Keep up the networking with your new CFA society membership.
That said, the CFA charter is not a golden ticket to jobs, you need to put the work into tapping your network, interviewing and being able to demonstrate your applicable skills that will add value to the interviewer.
#3. Stay up to date, network, be a 300H contributor
Having experienced the lack of support while studying for our CFA exams years ago, we started the 300 Hours Forum with the goal of guiding CFA candidates through this tough but prestigious exam. We came a long way since then, but we'd like to continue the momentum and would welcome any keen contributor with open arms!
Whether it's something as simple as actively answering questions in the forum or sharing your experiences in detail by becoming a community blogger - every little bit helps! It's always great to have fresh perspective, plus it helps you remember what you've learned when you stay involved. Come say hi in the 300 Hours Forum!