[Kitten_HK]

Need some advice from people who know finance/banking industry as I am hoping to move into this sector but am not sure whatelse I can possibly do other than the marcom jobs.


My profile:
* 5-year all-round marketing/corporate communication skills (no specific industry focus though)
* Track record of sponsorship negotiation experiences.
* MSc (business discipline) degree from a top school in the world.
* English & Mandarin (Limited Cantonese)
* China exposure
* Strong people skills.

Your advice will be much appreciated!

[freeier]

go try and u will know. there are prob another 3000 ppl with similar profile as you in hk and maybe china trying to find a banking job. so try your luck and see how it turn out!

[c1000]

Unfortunately you have probably just missed the application deadline for the CLSA Academy, which is a program specifically for non-finance career changers. Which part of the finance/banking sector are you interested in and why? It is very difficult to get into an investment bank as an experienced hire from an unrelated industry. There are Marcom/conference planning and IR positions around, but will you really be happy being in a largely support position, far removed from the deal-making at an IB?

[Kitten_HK]

Thank u for the message, c1000

honestly it's more about what I can do in HK. Non-cantonese speakers seem to survive better in finance/banking sector here and that's one of the reasons. I have been searching for marcom/IR related jobs and am exploring whatelse I could possibly do here.

Not sure about jobs in front office~ right now i couldn't even get into the support functions~ but thanx for the CLSA info though. I'll take a look and think the best way for me to get into the banking job is email to the bank directly through agents... Anyone has better ideas.?

[c1000]

If you are happy working in marketing communications, why not find a job at a public relations firm or a corporate communications position? It will probably be more challenging and gratifying than working in IR or communications at a bank.

If you are set on the financial sector, you may not get very far with search firms. They tend to pigeon-hole people based on past experience and are not very imaginative in placing candidates. If you go this route, make sure to adapt your cover letter and resume to feature the same words and skill sets that appeared in the job description. Applying to HR won't be much easier. Your best chance is to network and have people lookout for positions from the inside. If you went to a top school, get involved in the local alumni group. I made the career change myself, initially as a contractor for a specific project, then the MD I worked for offered me a permanent place. I think they laid off a Princeton grad to make
the headcount. I don't think I would have ever gotten in by writing letters. It's all about the impression you make and who's rooting for you. I have to say I don't find it particularly glamorous working in the brokerage business. You work really long hours, have to deal with big egos and have no sense of job security. There are lots of young, spoiled ivy league types with a sense of entitlement. If the work doesn't interest you, it can be hell.

Anyway, good luck!