4 Keys to Getting a Hedge Fund or Private Equity Job
1. Determine Your Passion and Pick a Specialty
Don’t be afraid to specialize. Being a generalist is fine for many jobs, but in the hedge fund industry you will be squeezed into one of a handful of roles – research, trading, programming, sales etc. Make it easy for the hiring manager to determine which role you fit into by building your resume around a distinct skill set. Similarly, private equity firms are looking for those who bring a specific skill set that corresponds with their investment focus.
You have spent decades obtaining your education, work experience, and credentials. Writing generic cover letters or showing up for interviews without a solid understanding of the firm’s business will not do your justice to your skills. For some firms you can find 13F filings that detail some of their largest holdings. Search Bloomberg and other financial sites for relevant articles, holdings, and recent regulatory issues. HedgeFundJobList.com provides detailed state-by-state contact information for all the 3500+ firms we cover including website URLs, firm details and more. The recent addition of hiring manager e-mails for the majority of firms, provides a rock solid starting point for your career search.
3. Gain Credibility and Understanding with a Certification
If you have only a bachelor’s degree, you may want to consider getting additional certifications and licenses. The Series 7 may be necessary for certain sales roles that deal with non-qualified investors. However, the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is by far the most respected credential. It is also the most difficult to get, requiring several hundred hours and three years to obtain. You might also consider the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) or the online Chartered Hedge Fund Analyst (CHA) designation.
4. Network
Surely you have heard people say that the best jobs go to personal connections. This may be true, but your lack of direct contacts shouldn’t stop you from expanding your rolodex. Join networking sites like LinkedIn and financial job sites such as Vault.
Download our FREE e-book for more tips on getting a hedge fund job, including sample hedge fund resume and cover letters, and practice hedge fund interview questions.
