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Get hands on experience through an internship. Decide on your professional focus. Begin building a network of professional colleagues. Present yourself well with a strong cover letter and resume. Prepare for your hiring interview.
One of the best ways to gain experience is to work in an internship while you are studying. Some schools may offer internship programs for undergrads, while other internship programs are for graduate students only. You should try to take advantage of any internship opportunities that you can. As an intern, you will be assigned to one or more mentors in the company where you work. This supervision extends your education while giving you on the job experience. In the profession of working as an equity analyst, there are two primary directions to go. You may choose to be a sell-side analyst or a buy-side analyst. Your work in an internship may help you develop a preference for one or the other. Before you begin applying for jobs, you should at least understand the two types of positions and be aware of the focus for the companies where you apply. A sell-side analyst often works for a large investment bank. This person's job generally consists of researching the financial outlook for companies that the bank is considering taking public. You will be charged with deciding which companies have the potential of earning the most money in the future. A buy-side analyst works for mutual fund brokers or financial advisory firms. In this role, you would research companies that are in your employer's portfolio and other companies that represent profitable investments. A good stock market analyst is not just someone who conducts research. You need to be a "people person" as well. Build up strong personal relationships with people you meet along the way, in your internship or in your classes. These people may be useful in providing references for future job applications or links to job opportunities. For many jobs, the cover letter is merely used as a way to transmit your resume. In the business world, however, your energy and writing skill will be judged right from the beginning. You need to highlight whatever relevant experience you have and express your desire to work hard in this demanding field. Research the company and its past business practices. You will want to be able to speak intelligently about the company and the position your are interviewing for. In addition, you should be prepared to discuss your internship and prior stocks you have researched. A common question, particularly for a position in a top-level company, would be to ask you to discuss one or more particular stocks that you have studied, and explain why you would or would not recommend them to a client. In short, you need to be prepared to be put on the spot just as you would on the job. Through your interview, you need to project enthusiasm as well as intelligence. You need to show that you are able to analyze stocks, make decisions, and communicate your thoughts clearly.