u/SwanComplex8007

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for experiences from anyone who has used a paid career coach or job-search consultant to help with finding a job in the UK.

I recently completed a Master of Finance at UNSW and have early-career experience in financial analysis and banking research. I'm currently based in the UAE and targeting Analyst-level roles in London across banking, financial analysis, investment research and corporate finance.

I've been applying directly and contacting UK recruitment agencies, but my biggest challenge is generating interviews and building useful connections with recruiters and hiring managers while applying from overseas.

I've been looking at specialist services such as Career Mentor and The Finance Career Coach and have introductory calls booked with them.

I'm not really looking to pay someone just to rewrite my CV or LinkedIn. What I'd potentially pay for is someone who genuinely understands the UK financial-services market and can help with networking, identifying/approaching recruiters and hiring managers, positioning myself properly, and ultimately generating interviews.

Has anyone here used either of these services, or something similar?

I'm particularly interested in:

• How much were you quoted/charged?
• Did you actually get interviews or useful connections as a result?
• Did they introduce you to recruiters/hiring managers, or mainly teach you how to network yourself?
• Has anyone successfully used one while applying to the UK from overseas?
• Was it ultimately worth the money?

I'm willing to pay a reasonable amount if it genuinely adds value, but I'm hesitant about spending if it's mainly CV editing and generic job-search advice.

Any experiences, positive or negative, would be really appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently based outside the UK and have been applying for Analyst-level opportunities at J.P. Morgan in London, particularly across Global Research, Investment Banking and Asset & Wealth Management.

I recently completed a Master of Finance at UNSW and have internship experience in financial analysis, banking research and corporate finance. I’m also eligible for the UK High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, which would allow me to obtain initial UK work authorisation without employer sponsorship.

I’ve submitted a few applications recently, and some are currently under consideration, but I’m trying to understand better how recruiting works for someone applying from overseas rather than through the traditional UK graduate pipeline.

I’d really appreciate any insight from current or former J.P. Morgan employees, particularly those in London:

• Does being based overseas significantly affect your chances of getting an interview?
• How important is networking for Analyst-level experienced-hire roles at J.P. Morgan?
• Is it worthwhile reaching out to people within the specific team after applying?
• Has anyone here joined J.P. Morgan London from overseas or through the HPI visa?

I’m not looking to ask strangers for referrals; I'd like to understand the process and learn from people who have been through it.

Happy to DM if anyone would prefer to share their experience privately. Thanks!

I’d really appreciate advice from people who have actually used the HPI route.

I’m a Pakistani currently based in the UAE and recently completed a Master of Finance at UNSW, making me eligible for the HPI visa. My goal is to relocate to the UK and build my career there, ideally in finance.

I haven’t applied for HPI yet because my original plan was:

Secure UK job → apply for HPI (if necessary) → relocate.

I thought this made financial sense because I wouldn’t need to move to the UK unemployed or start using up my two-year HPI period before having a job.

However, I’m encountering a problem.

UK applications ask whether I currently have Right to Work. I have to answer “No” because I’m only HPI-eligible and don’t actually hold the visa yet.

I recently applied for a graduate investment role that was a strong match for my background and was rejected specifically because I don’t currently have UK Right to Work / may require sponsorship in the future.

So now I’m wondering whether my strategy is backwards.

For those who have gone through HPI:

Did you notice a meaningful improvement in recruiter responses after actually obtaining the visa?

Would you recommend getting HPI while still overseas, continuing the job search and then relocating once an offer is secured?

Or is it better to keep applying from abroad and only apply for HPI after receiving an offer?

The cost is significant for me, so I don’t want to activate a two-year visa unnecessarily. At the same time, I don’t want to keep getting automatically rejected from jobs I might otherwise be competitive for simply because I don’t yet have Right to Work.

Any first-hand experiences would be really helpful.

Hi everyone,

I am 25M and I recently worked as a Research Coordinator at a financial training firm in the UAE, where I developed content and research for major banks (e.g., Mashreq, Emirates NBD, ADIB).

Unfortunately, due to recent circumstances I got laid off, I am now exploring new opportunities.

I hold a Master’s in Finance from UNSW and a Bachelor’s in Finance from UOWD. My interests are in investment analysis, corporate finance, and financial research roles.

I am currently targeting opportunities in the UAE. I am planning on doing CFA either right now or in the future but hope to securea job first as that is my priority, and would really appreciate any advice, referrals, or leads.

Happy to share my CV! Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,

I recently worked as a Research Coordinator at a financial training firm in the UAE, where I developed content and research for major banks (e.g., Mashreq, Emirates NBD, ADIB).

Unfortunately, due to recent circumstances, I am now exploring new opportunities.

I hold a Master’s in Finance from UNSW and a Bachelor’s in Finance from UOWD. My interests are in investment analysis, corporate finance, and financial research roles.

I am currently targeting opportunities in London, UK, and would really appreciate any advice, referrals, or leads.

Happy to share my CV! Thank you in advance!