Need advice - FRM exam

[shruti1101]

Hi David,

I have done my MS Finance and still trying to break into the finance industry ( no prior finance experience). I know minimum 2 years of experience in risk management is required to get the FRM designation, so do you think this certification can help me in any way?

Also, would you suggest me to go ahead with the level I exam scheduled in May, keeping in mind that I have not started preparing yet. But since I am not working right now I have all the time to study for the same. Can I buy your material now? or is it too late?

Appreciate your advise on this!


Best Regards,
SS

 

[David Harper CFA FRM]

Hi SS,

Thanks for visiting. In regard to whether the FRM can give a job-career boost, I hesitate to offer a blanket statement as my own anecdotal evidence is varied ... on the one hand, clearly the credential has seen increased popularity and ought to contribute at least marginally by signifying a specific interest and baseline competency in risk analytics ... on the other hand, I don't think any credential deserves too much weight--ie., can get anyone heavy purchase--in this regard. (We've seen more companies sponsor their employees, but I think that's quite different from the acid test of whether a recruiter/hiring manager views "FRM" or "PRM" as a hiring criteria...of course, I hope so .... but i personally do not think the FRM has yet reached the kind of reputation that is enjoyed, in this respect, by the CFA)

We are adding a Career Guide, as part of our relaunch, which will include an effort to solicit some real-life feedback on this question, so I do hope that as our site grows we can better answer this question with real anecdotes and even data.

Re: our material: sure you can buy now, if it suits your plan ... we have L1 May candidates currently buying but it is starting to get tight re: timing...

... so, I first would recommend you simply review the L1 Study Guide (do you have that? if not, just ping .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). Then you can figure out the "art of the possible" re study plans. You have a very relevant background, so it's quite doable; if you did not, or if you wanted to enjoy your studies, I'd probably recommend sitting in November (it is not enough time, IMO, for somebody without a head start)

Hope that helps, David