This is the story of Manav, our student who recently got placed in a core finance role. When he cleared CFA Level 3, everyone thought his career was set. Friends and family expected him to land his dream finance job quickly, with interviews going smoothly and success following naturally. But Manav’s reality was far from that.
Despite applying to multiple roles in valuation, equity research, and private equity, he barely got any callbacks. And when he did, the feedback was always the same: employers wanted candidates with practical experience, not just theoretical knowledge.
One night, after yet another disappointing interview, Manav sat alone with his laptop and looked at his resume. It proudly said “CFA Level 3 candidate” but underneath, there was nothing that showed he could build financial models or analyze real companies. That realization hit him hard.
That night, something inside Manav shifted. He decided it was time to stop relying only on theory and start building real skills. He enrolled in a financial modeling course but this time not for a certificate, but to finally learn what employers were truly looking for.
Today, Manav is an Analyst at Knowcraft Analytics. His journey shows that clearing CFA is just the beginning. Real success comes when you go beyond theory and put your skills to work.
Here’s What Manav Shared with Us About His Journey
Q1: Manav, after all the hard work you put into CFA Level 3, what made you decide to learn financial modeling next?
Honestly, I thought I was done once I cleared Level 3. I had spent years preparing for the CFA exams. There were many weekends and evenings I gave up with family and friends just to study. I believed that passing Level 3 would open doors for me and companies would be eager to hire me. But when I started applying for jobs, I quickly realized that something was missing.
Almost every job description asked for candidates who could build financial models, not just someone who knew the theory or concepts. I had spent so much time learning from books and preparing for exams, but I had never actually built a model myself.
I remember one of my interviews where the interviewer asked me to show a model I had worked on. I had nothing to show them. I felt embarrassed and unprepared. It was a harsh moment because all my studies and preparation felt useless without practical skills. That experience made me realize I needed to learn financial modeling properly if I wanted to succeed in core finance.
Q2: Was there a moment when you felt really down or wanted to give up during this whole process? What was that like?
Yes, there was a very tough week that I still remember clearly. I had applied to seven different companies and didn’t get a single reply. Not even a rejection email. I kept checking my inbox and LinkedIn every day hoping for some news. But nothing came.
After a while, I stopped opening those apps because it was too painful to keep waiting.
During that time, I started to doubt myself a lot. I wondered if maybe I was not meant for core finance. I thought about switching to other fields like audit or compliance, which seemed less demanding in terms of practical financial skills. It was tempting because I felt stuck and frustrated. But then I remembered how much effort I had already put in and how passionate I was about finance. I knew I couldn’t just give up and walk away from something I cared about. It was a hard time, but it also made me stronger and more determined.
Q3: Did you ever feel like giving up on finance completely? What kept you going?
Yes, there were definitely days when I wanted to give up. After so many rejections and not even getting replies from companies, I started to wonder if I was making a mistake by staying in finance. I even thought about switching to something like audit or compliance, where maybe things would be easier. But every time I felt like quitting, I remembered why I started. I have always enjoyed understanding how businesses work and solving problems with numbers. That interest kept pulling me back. Also, I thought about all the time and effort I had already put in. I did not want to throw it all away. My family and friends also encouraged me and reminded me of my strengths. Their support helped me push through the tough days.
Q4: What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during this journey?
The most surprising thing I learned was that I could actually handle more than I thought. Before this, I always saw myself as someone who was good at reading and passing exams but not really someone who could do practical work. When I started building models and making mistakes, I realized I could learn from those mistakes and get better each time. I also found out that I am more patient than I thought. There were so many times when things didn’t work out the way I wanted, but I kept trying. Another big surprise was how much support I got from my friends and mentors. I used to think I had to do everything on my own, but when I reached out for help, they were happy to guide me. That made a huge difference and taught me it is okay to ask for help.
Q5: How did things start to change for you once you began the financial modeling course? What was different?
The course was a big turning point for me. Before, I was hiding behind books and theory. But now, I had to get my hands dirty and actually do the work. I could no longer just read about discounted cash flow (DCF) or financial ratios but can build spreadsheets and create models step by step.
One day, we worked on a SaaS company as a case study. On paper, the company looked profitable and healthy. But when we dug deeper into the numbers like receivables and vendor payments, we saw that the company would run out of cash by the second year. That was a real eye-opener. It made me understand why people say cash flow is king. It changed the way I think about finance completely. I realized that numbers on paper don’t always tell the full story. You have to analyze the details carefully.
Q6: Can you tell me about your interview experience at Knowcraft Analytics? How did it feel this time compared to before?
My interview at Knowcraft Analytics was tough and long. There were many technical questions and case studies. But this time, I was not scared or nervous like before. I had built models myself, made mistakes and learned how to fix them. I was no longer just repeating what I had read in CFA books. I was speaking from real experience.
When I got the call that I was selected, I didn’t jump or shout with joy. Instead, I just sat quietly on the floor. After months of rejection and silence, I didn’t feel like celebrating loudly. I just needed a moment to breathe and absorb what had happened. That silence felt peaceful and powerful. It was a quiet victory after a long struggle.
Q7: Looking back, what advice would you give to someone who is in your shoes right now, trying to break into core finance?
I would say that CFA is a great foundation. It teaches you the basics and builds a strong base. But that is only the beginning. If you want to work in core finance, you need to build real skills too.
Stop chasing more degrees or certifications right away. Instead, focus on building practical skills. Start by making your own financial model. Pick a company you like and analyze it. Write a research report even if nobody else sees it. Doing this will boost your confidence and help you understand finance better.
Also, if you feel stuck or frustrated, don’t think it means you are not capable. It just means you haven’t found the right tool or guidance yet. Keep trying and keep learning. It will be worth it in the end.
Q8: How do you feel now when you look back at your journey?
Now when I look back, I feel proud of myself. It was not an easy journey. There were many days when I felt lost or frustrated, but I kept going. I learned so much, not just about finance but also about myself. I now know that I can handle tough situations and learn new skills even when they seem hard at first. I am also more confident because I have real experience now, not just theory. I am glad I did not give up, because now I feel ready for new challenges. I know that if something is difficult, I can figure it out if I keep trying. This journey has made me stronger and more positive about my future.
Manav’s journey reminds us that degrees can open doors, but real growth begins when you walk through them. It’s not just about what you know. It’s about how you apply it when no one is watching and how you keep going when nothing seems to work.
If you’re on a similar path, his story is proof that it’s okay to pause, reset and build again with the right tools and approach. You can connect with Manav on
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manav-mehta-92b711210/
