Where to find entry level finance jobs?

What will be a plus to find a finance analysis job, entry level CFA/actuarial exam or C++?

• I am a recent grad master student try to find a job in finance industry. I have been working with data for a long time in academic social science and economics fields. Now, i am trying to find a job in finance, and see all of the job listing requires some level of math or computer language. Either I have some basic knowledge, but hard to prove how good i am.(I have econ master, but that doesn't seem to be enough) I plan to take the test next year or use the time to improve my C++, but I don't know which is better to help me find a job?

• Answer:

  One is programming language and other is a financial certification. Basic knowledge of a programming language is sometimes necessary but is not sufficient on its own to make one person eligible for job as financial analyst. Assuming that you have no knowledge of any programming language, you still could still achieve basic programming skills in 4-6 months and then it would depend on how much time you spend on working on that language. CFA is a certification and would require at least 18 months to clear all 3 levels, assuming you could clear all exams in first attempt. A certification like of CFA definitely gives you an edge over others. But I beg to differ that all financial analyst jobs would require one to be proficient in C++ and/or CFA charter holder.  Both of these give you an edge but with right aptitude and networking you could get a job in finance. It might not be your dream job, but you would be in the industry of your choice and then simultaneously you could work on getting CFA certification and/or programming skills.  All the best!!