Should you be applying here?
You want to work in investment banking, hedge funds, or private equity globally. But you don't want just any job. You want the sort of high paying, high prestige, highly interesting job that will put you on the path to a fulfilling career and financially bountiful future. Bad luck; so does everyone.
We've looked at the most desirable finance jobs on eFinancialCareers now. Using the number of applications as a proxy for desirability, we can say that these are the most highly sought after jobs across the eFinancialCareers global network - and by implication across the whole of global finance.
We've ranked the top jobs below by the number of applications they attracted. The jobs at the top of the list had 800 people+ putting themselves forward.
It's not a trader with a top hedge fund. Nor is it a principal with a top private equity fund. The most desired job on eFinancialCareers currently is a senior accounting role which comes with a tax-free salary in Dubai.
'One of the largest global hedge funds' is looking for an analyst to join in a 'financial modelling role' in London. Applications have been huge.
One of the preeminent US investment banks was looking for someone to work as an analyst in its corporate and investment bank. The job is no longer live, but applications were massive.
Sometimes, the hardest jobs to get are those open to the greatest number of people. A job for a customer service-oriented teller who is proficient in 'lobby management' attracted a vast number of applications.
Investment bankers in London may earn than their counterparts in Europe, but this doesn't mean that local investment banking jobs aren't popular - especially among young bankers in London who want go back home. A major US investment bank is looking for an associate for its Italy-based corporate finance team. Applications have exceeded 600.
A New York-based boutique is looking for an ex-management consultant or accountant who wants to become a banker. Hundreds of people are interested.
Ask a young investment banker what he/she wants to do in five years time and they will almost always say private equity. This is probably why a vacancy for an associate at a private equity fund attracted hundreds of applications (it's now been filled).
Again, it's not always the most aspirational jobs that attract the most interest. We saw hundreds of applications for a PA role which included 'taking personal calls and dictation.' The role has now been filled.
It's been a tough year for commodities traders, but this didn't dissuade hundreds of people from applying for junior trading roles at a commodities investment management firm in London.
If it's not hedge funds and private equity, family offices are seen as one of the most desirable investment banking exit options. This might be why one private wealth management firm which describes itself as independently owned and neither an investment bank nor a family office attracted hundreds of applications for an graduateanalyst role in its consulting team.
Accounting jobs attract more applications from finance professionals than you might expect. An international oil exploration and production company was looking for a regional finance manager. Applications were in their hundreds.
Do you want to provide, 'analytical, statistical and research assistance to Analysts in the Banking team, covering Financial Institutions in emerging markets in EMEA' at a top ratings agency? If so, you are not alone. Hundreds of people applied for a similar role.
As with oil corporates, so with mining companies. A mining company based in Dubai is offering an 'excellent tax free package' to a senior finance director with at least 15 years' experience. There have been more than 300 applications.
It's not just trading jobs that are popular in hedge funds. A London-based hedge fund has been looking for an operations analyst to report daily P&L, reconcile net asset values, and ensure trade capture systems are up to date. Hundreds of people thought the job was for them.
One European fund management firm has been looking to fill a specific role - equities manager on its financial institutions team. Candidates needed to have 3 to 12 years' experience on the buyside (although 'exceptional' individuals from banks would be considered). Applications numbered in the several hundreds.
AML is suddenly a) hot and b) rewarding. This might be why hundreds of people applied for a mid-ranking AML job (two to three years' experience) at an investment bank in Dubai.
An alternative investment management firm in Asia has been looking for an analyst to evaluate a 'range of alternative investment strategies' involving listed and unlisted companies. Mandarin speakers were preferred.
Execution trading has a reputation as a comparatively well paid but relatively unstrenuous job. This might be why an execution related role at a London agency trading firm has proven very popular.
A leading independent investment bank is looking for a non-sector focused investment banking analyst with around 24 months experience. There have been over 320 applications so far.
Historically, being a trader's assistant was a route to become a trader. This might be why a role for a trading assistant to work with the lead portfolio manager at an expanding hedge fund proved so popular....
