Hi everyone, I recently graduated from the University of Nottingham, completed CFA Level 2, and have a year of Investment Banking experience. I’ve been applying for financial sector roles for a year without much luck. Any advice to improve my approach would be greatly appreciated

Hey there, 

I know I’m late to the party, but I hope you’re still pushing forward and haven’t lost momentum.

With IB experience and CFA Level 2, you’ve got a strong foundation, so if things haven’t clicked yet, it’s probably more about refining your approach than missing qualifications. If you’re just applying online, that could be the issue and I'd recommend to do some more networking. Reach out to alumni, former colleagues, and industry connections for coffee chats or referrals. 

Also, take a fresh look at your application materials. Are you highlighting results rather than just responsibilities? Have you tailored your applications to different roles?

I’d love to hear where things stand now and let me know if you need help strategizing. 

Sounds like you’ve built a strong foundation with your degree, CFA Level 2, and some IB experience—that’s a solid start. If you’ve been applying for a year without much luck, it’s probably time to tweak a few things in your approach.

First, make sure your CV and cover letter really stand out. Tailor them for each role, highlight your achievements (not just duties), and quantify impact wherever possible. If you can’t clearly say what value you added, recruiters might skim past.

Second, network aggressively. Applying online alone is rarely enough in finance. Reach out to alumni from Nottingham working in your target firms, attend industry events or webinars, and connect with recruiters on LinkedIn—but make your messages personal and thoughtful.

Third, broaden the types of roles or firms you target. If you’re focusing only on top-tier banks or highly competitive roles, consider smaller firms, boutiques, or related areas like asset management, corporate finance, or fintech. Getting your foot in the door somewhere relevant helps build momentum.

Fourth, get feedback on your interview skills. Maybe do some mock interviews with mentors or friends in finance. Sometimes it’s not about what you know, but how you communicate it.

Finally, keep building your technical skills—modeling, valuation, Excel, coding (like VBA or Python)—and keep your market knowledge current. Sometimes firms want to see evidence you’re staying sharp, especially if you’re between roles.

It’s a tough market, but persistence combined with smarter targeting, networking, and interview prep can really shift the needle. Keep pushing and keep refining. You’ve already got the key ingredients.