By Sophie
If you've received results in the recent Level III results announcement, we hope it's good news! 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 charter credentials.
If you've received results in the recent Level III results announcement, we hope it's good news! 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 charter credentials.
#1. Get your CFA charter!
We've neatly summarised all the requirements to get your new CFA charter in this infographic:
We've neatly summarised all the requirements to get your new CFA charter 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 exam candidates through this tough but prestigious exam. We'd like to continue the momentum and would welcome any keen contributor with open arms - if you'd like to share your personal CFA charter story, just send it in to contributions@300hours.com.
- The Ethics pledge. A straightforward but crucial part of being a CFA charterholder. CFA Institute takes its members' understanding and upholding of the 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 - 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 charter, 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 holding a full CFA charter after the exams themselves. CFA Institute requires 4 years of "relevant work experience" to be sent to them for approval to be eligible for the CFA charter, 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 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 with your shiny new CFA charter;
- Know how to land interviews using your updated CFA Program qualification;
- 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 exam candidates through this tough but prestigious exam. We'd like to continue the momentum and would welcome any keen contributor with open arms - if you'd like to share your personal CFA charter story, just send it in to contributions@300hours.com.