Before I began working for the third party marketing
firm that I am with right now I had contacted several hedge fund
recruiters. Besides learning what they specialize in I found out what
they typically look for in these resumes from candidates.
I have
recently helped a few friends rework their resumes while they look for
a new hedge fund job. Most open positions are sought after by dozens of
20 and 30somethings that often attended the best schools and have
worked for some of the most successful banks. In short, it is very
competitive. Every line on your resume should build the case of how you
will make the firm more money than the guy who sent his resume in the
day before you.
What is the perfect hedge fund resume?
There
isn't one. Some never graduate from high school but make over $1m/year
trading or selling for funds. That said some of the below factors are
what funds look for:
- Quantitative experience and abilities
- CFA Designation
- Education - Ivy league, MBA, Quant focussed PhD
- Signs of loyalty, passion, and being humble
- Something Extra such as PR expertise, asset gathering ability, or Information Advantage
- High quality names - large wire house experience
- How much money did you personally bring in to the firm or make for the firm?
- A stomach for a high commission/bonus structure
One
highly successful hedge fund manager said that they don't have any hard
and fast experience requirements to be hired by their firm, they simply
look for people who are hungry, humble, and smart.