Investment analyst — Hashim Munshi
Hashim Munshi graduated with a business and economics degree from the University of Salford and is now an investment analyst at WTW. Learn about his challenging path to landing the job, and what a typical day entails
How did you get your job?
I went through a lengthy application process and an array of online exams, before finally landing a full day assessment centre opportunity - where I was interviewed and tested in both singular and group settings. Though difficult, I learned from past similar experiences to stay calm and retain faith in myself and my abilities, which ultimately paid off in the form of a job offer.
What's a typical working day like?
I attend client meetings, update the wider team on various assigned tasks progress, and analyse an array of financial data and client specific investment data to make informed decisions on how to consult and relay the information in a timely manner.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The requirements and demand that you face vary daily - from extremely high intensity one week to medium intensity the next. Due to this, the skills required tend to continuously develop, and the amount you learn in such a small amount of time is invaluable.
Not only this, but the people at WTW are what I value the most. Fostering a culture of genuine inclusion, they have always been there to lend a helping hand. A place where everyone genuinely wants their peers to succeed is something I do not take for granted, and something I am beyond thankful for.
What are the challenges?
Working in a high intensity environment with tight deadlines as the norm is quite a change from student life. Such a drastic difference can sometimes overwhelm you, however the hybrid work model allows for this shift to be much more manageable.
As well as this, technical knowledge is in high demand, and if you do not pick things up quickly, you risk falling behind. Taking notes constantly is a must, as you will find that that there is always more to learn. However, your peers understand this too, and are always there for any questions or support.
How relevant is your degree?
Economics can be related to certain functions within investment, such as thematic investing. It can also assist in helping you understand the underlying movements of certain shifts in financial data, which can help in your day-to-day work life.
However, I would say that what I utilise the most from my degree is the soft skills acquired, rather than the technical. Communication is key, whether it be across the various teams, or with clients, and with the experiences of presenting and teamwork gained from my degree, I have been able to assimilate myself well within the workplace.
How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?
I am still new in my role therefore, my current goal is to learn - whether it be on the job or for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams. However, my career ambitions are focused on making my way through the CFA and moving towards an investment associate position within the next year. I hope that through this, I can continue to grow and long term and hopefully reach a director level within investment.
What advice can you give others wanting to get this job?
Perseverance is key. If you know what you want to do, and have faith in your ability to succeed, then your dream role will eventually come around. This can be broken down into three parts:
- Apply early - I cannot stress the importance of sending out applications as early as possible. Investment roles are extremely competitive, with thousands of applicants per position - doing this can increase the chance of your application being seen and therefore increase the chances of you landing the role.
- Stay consistent - Landing a graduate position can be a numbers game, due the competitive nature of the investment field. By staying consistent in sending applications every week, you are increasing your chances of being seen. Every failure is a learning curve and can be something you work on before your next interview. Always ask for feedback.
- Apply industry knowledge - Both in the initial cover letter and the interviews, can be extremely beneficial to making you stand out. It shows a proactiveness to learn and can make prospective companies keen on taking a risk on you.
Find out more
- Explore the salary details of an investment analyst.
- Discover what you can do with an economics degree.
- Check out what the accountancy, banking and finance sector has to offer.