I still remember the moment that I received the call from Credit Suisse, when the HR informed me about my offer. I was too excited to say a word. I spent almost one year in job hunting and finally I could start my career in the field of equity research. I would like to show all my gratitude to all excellent mentors in NHC and all of my friends who keep encouraging me when I was about to give up.
In March, luckily I got a chance to talk with Joe Li. He gave me a lot of helpful suggestions for job search and connected me with Echo. Thanks to Echo Han’s introduction, I had a chance to join NHC and participated in the NHC March CDS. With the help from mentors, I improved my resume efficiently and received several interviews. I prepared for them carefully and gained the guidance from Mercury Ma. However, the result was disappointing. Under the pressure from my parents, I almost gave up and started to think about going back to China. However, I still remembered Echo told me that if I kept working on my resume and interview skills with faith, I would definitely get a job one day. She shared Albert Xiao’s story to give me motivation and convinced me that all efforts would pay off.
Surprisingly, one day I received an email from Credit Suisse for an interview of an equity research intern position. I was so excited, meanwhile, I started to worry and wonder if I could succeed this time. The 24/7 interview support team provided a lot of help and I got a chance to talk with David Hao, who is also in the field of Equity Research. I still remember the first time I met him, he seriously asked me several technical questions in stock pitching and my security challenge experience in McMaster. I was not well prepared and my performance was not satisfying. I had quite limited time to prepare for the interview, but I tried my best. I read as many reports as I could to prepare for stock pitching and also reviewed the security challenge project carefully to make sure I understand every investment strategy. When the interview finally came, I met the Managing Director and an Equity Research Associate. In general the interview was friendly and smooth. They focused on my previous experience and dug into the details. The stock pitch was the key question for any equity research position. The interview lasted for about forty minutes and luckily, and next day I received the email for the second round.
Again I prepared for the second round carefully and loaded myself up with knowledge of equity research and capital markets. At the beginning, HR asked some questions about my past experience and then I met three Equity Research Associates. They were all so professional and asked me to share every detail of the investment project. I was asked several technical questions and a stock pitch as well. After the meeting came the longest waiting. I realized that I still need to work on my communication skills and I did not have a lot of local experience in this area. However, I knew that I wanted this job and I wanted to take this opportunity.
Finally, when I received the call from HR I almost burst into tears. Right now I sincerely hope my background check goes well and I can start this job in the middle of August. I know it is still a long way to go and I have much to learn in this field. Bringing my passion, I will take the challenge and try my best.
I appreciate all the help I received from my dear mentors and friends. It is your help that made me grow up and keep pursuing my dream. I also want to inspire these friends who are having a hard time with job hunting. Please do not give up even in your darkest time. No matter how long you have waited, as long as you know what you want and keep working towards it, you will definitely have a bright future.