Equity Research Career
Yesterday, I got a call from Mr.Suresh Vora from Ahmedabad (name and city changed). Suresh wanted my help in designing his equity research career path.
Equity Research Career Conversation
Here’s what we discussed: Why Equity Research
Suresh: “ Hello Sir, I’m Suresh from Ahmedabad. I completed MBA in 2007 and since then I’m working as a faculty in an MBA institute here.”
I: “ That’s great, Suresh.”
Suresh: “ Thanks, but now I want to work in companies.”
I: “ Good. Have you started looking out? What’s the market saying?”
S: “ Well, I applied to three major companies in research and analysis domain, but couldn’t make it.”
I: “ Why? What’s the problem exactly?”
S: “ I cleared all rounds in selection process, except one,where they asked me to do ratio analysis and analyze financial statements using Excel.”
I: “ Yes, majority companies in financial analysis and research conduct this round to check actual skills of candidates.”
S: “ Sir, I have conceptual knowledge of various subjects in finance and I use the same to teach in my institute. I have 5 years teaching experience, so, the companies are not ready to take me as a fresher and since I don’t have practical skills required for the job, they can’t offer me the position of a Team Leader. What should I do now?”
I: “ Suresh, I think, you should first invest your time and energy in learning practical skills required for your job. If you’re really committed to work in companies in Equity Research area, you need to learn skills like – financial analysis, financial modeling, Excel, DCF and relative valuation, stock picking techniques and report writing. If you know the concepts well, it will take only a few months’ time to master these skills.”
S: “ When should I start learning these skills?”
I: “ Start immediately and practice well. Remember, employers look for skills. They want to know whether you can ‘deliver’. So, focus on doing the things on your own, rather than knowing many things at a time.”
S: “ Thank you sir.”
I: “ My pleasure and wish you all the best, Suresh.”
The above conversation is real. I get many such calls regularly asking for careers/Jobs in Equity Research
If you want to get into Equity Research career, start early. Start reading books on Investments. Read Annual Reports of companies and keep your eyes and ears open.
You too want to get into Equity Research? What problems are you facing ?
Write your equity research career queries in ‘Comments’ section below.
Hi Avadhut
i m looking for entry level position in Equity Research in a brokerage firm.or KPO. i m from delhi and finding hard to get such jobs in Delhi as hardly any such job available now. Should i shift to Mumbai? i want to get into a brokerage firm in mumbai.
Strangely, i dont find any job postings for equity research in their websites anywhere? Which is the best way to contact hr ?
going directly to brokerage firm offices in mumbai ?
Hi,
There are enough jobs in equity research, financial analysis area in KPO provided you have solid skills, knowledge and right attitude.
We bridge this gap in skills by providing practical program and placement assistance to candidates in Delhi. Please check the details of the Delhi program.
hi avdhut,
i am a b.com, m.com graduate and a fresher, i am interested in making career in equity research in future so for which qualification should i go for if not then what is the probable way to have a career in equity research.
I know one firm deals in equity research capston securities pvt ltd it has an opening of trader ,it is 3 month training afterwards one will be permanent please suggest me about this
thank you in advance
Hi Vivek,
To make a career in equity research, you need to be passionate about investing, capital market in general.
Having said that you should have stock picking abilities, financial and industry analysis skills, Excel and financial modeling skills and good writing skills.
About qualification, I think M.Com is OK, but you can take a job and study for CFA ASAP. That shows your interest towards finance.
Do not go for trading/dealer jobs if you’re serious about equity research.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Avadhut
Hi, I want to make a career in equity research, My qualification is I’ll be a CA by July ’13. Plz guide me as to how do I actually start..Apart from learning through financial and investment journals how do I make a practical start? Which companies do I apply? (I’ve already applied to many but no satisfactory response).. Which organisations can I actually hope to get real knowledge and skills?? Please help…
Hi Pallavi,
Read this article.
If you have any more queries, don’t hesitate to reply back.
Regards,
Avadhut
Hi,I did my under-graduation in engineering with specialization in Computer Science & Engineering.After my undergrad,I worked for Wipro for nearly 4 yrs in the field of Technology Infrastructure Services.I held the additional responsibility of Team lead when I resigned from wipro.After I quit Wipro,I cleared my Gmat,Ielts and then I went to USA to do my MBA course with concentration in Finance and successfully graduated this May 2012.I searched for a job as Equity analystand I didnt get any positive response as the market was down and they demand for experienced professionals.I came back to India and was searching for Equity Research Analyst job since I came here.I posted my resume in most of the job portal,referral programs and I was totally unlucky till now.I planned to take CFA level I on Dec 2013.I am learning Financial Modeling through Excel and other skills too.I thought of joining as a lecturer in business school and do my CFA level 1 and then search for equity analyst job.Will this be an advisable one?Could you please guide me on this?
Hi Ragavendra,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I read your case completely. Yes,market is tough at this moment.
I think you can join as a lecturer in business schools as this profession is in demand. Secondly, you can focus on building skills and be in touch with concepts.
I think it’s better to take a job as a lecturer, meantime you can build skills and once you are ready and market is good, you can go for jobs in equity analysis.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Avadhut
Thank you for your valuable inputs..
Hi Avadhut,
I am a CFA level 2 candidate. I am willing to get into Equity Research. It would be a great help if you could give me some sincere advice.
I have done BBA(2008-11) with specialization in Finance, Post Graduate Diploma in banking and finance(PGDBF 2011-12). Post PGDBF, I started working for eClex services pvt ltd. as a Financial Analyst, I was employed there for 6 months. Now I want to focus on my CFA LEVEL 2 exam and hence have quit the job. I wish to gain as much skills as possible needed for equity research job in the coming 4 months i.e till june(I am sheduled to take my level 2 in June). After my exam I wish to work for an Equity research firm. Please advice me for the same. How should I proceed?: what all should I need to do? etc..what are my chances of getting an entry level job?
Thanks In advance.
Hi Siddharth,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I think you’re on right track. Focus on acquiring skill set.
Read articles on this page.
Regards,
Avadhut
Hi Avadhut
I passed out engineering in 2008 & pursued MBA from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (2009-11). Post that am working with a widely known for an european investment bank since last 1.5yrs in Financial Reporting Analytics. Also completed CFA Level III in 2012.
want to pursue career in equity reasearch. However, wherever I apply, response that I get is that, I dont have relevant work experience to get into equity research. Pls advise how to go about ?
Thank you.
Hi Astha,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I think you have got required educational qualification to get into equity research. However, I want to know why you want to shift your work area?
equity research is an area where one needs to analyse almost everything about an organisation, from their operations to the kind of investments they make. Almost everything that is and potentially will affect the value. Thus I believe, that area will give most exposure to so many facets.
Hi Avadhut,
I am a recent graduate in Finance and Accounting from Hong Kong. I have already passed my CFA Level 1. I also participated in the Research Challenge organized by the CFA Institute over my last semester in college. I am now working at a small corporate finance and management consulting firm in Hong Kong. I also have been doing some research and analysis on my own, which can be found in the website that I posted. There has not been a lot of entries.
In the comment above you mentioned that it would require at least CFA Level 2 or MBA to get into equity research. I also found many jobs in Hong Kong stating that at least 2-3 years of equity research experience at a reputable firm required. How would you suggest me to pursuit a career in equity research? Where should I gain that 2-3 years of experience? Would my own work be valuable? I have enrolled to CFA Level 2 for upcoming June.
I have originally planned to pursuit a MBA or Master of Finance after some solid working experience. Is it important to graduate from a reputable MBA program? or just any MBA program would be helpful with getting into equity research?
Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Kyle,
Had a look at your blog. Clean and nice look
I think you should try getting an internship at equity research firms and hone your skills and get actual work experience by this way.
Initially, focus on gaining skills rather than money part. This 1-2 years experience will give you decent money in future.
If you want to use your blog to showcase your skills and caliber, then write detailed and analytical posts regularly. At least 8-10 articles a month.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Avadhut
I am an engineer from PEC ,chandigarh.I have 1.3 years of experience in IBM India Ltd.I want to pursue my career in equity research and i have been doing financial modeling and equity research by myself.I have done modeling course from Pristine and equity research course from Flip Learning Ltd. I am also skilled in VBA n SAS which helps me to automate many things.I have applied to almost every possible company for this post at an entry level position but i hardly got any reply from them.Can you suggest me what to do.I have already left my job in IBM .I am also waiting for my CFA and FRM level 1 result.
Hi Gaurav,
Thanks for getting in touch.
In India, employers demand CFA- Level II at least or MBA.
First complete 2 levels of CFA and keep brushing up your skills in equity research and financial modeling.
Things will definitely fall in place.
All the best
Regards,
Avadhut