Not true with the extra credentials. It doesn't work as well as people think. Boils down to luck too.
I'm a UOL grad, passed my CFA level 1 during my student days, ranked in the top few percentile globally during my first attempt at Bloomberg Assessment test and I'm a Captain in a sports CCA in school, having won medals for school yearly. I've been sending out resume since yr 1 for internship, and have sent out in total 400+ resume since... Response rate... Abt 0.1%? And all are rejections. I asked many people to look through my resume and cover letter and the way i send my application for mistakes, everything seems fine. I even got one
UOB HR lady to look through, she thought it was good, and even spend 30 minutes helping me edit my resume to find grammatical errors. but when I send my resume to them, not even an interview for internship in Ops. My friends still find it puzzling, I'm a super odd case.
I do read very widely, during my free time. I research extensively in the industry of my dreams.. hahaha.. I keep up to date with news and daily stats, spending extra money for WSJ, economist and FT sub (Which I read religiously, but ran out of cash for economist sub renewal). But most importantly if no one wants to give you even an interview, all that extra edge you build is nothing but personal interest and empty dreams.
2 Months back, I got selected by school for an interview before they help me send my resume out for an internship. They were very impressed by me during the interview and I was the best candidate they seen for the job yet. (That was the only relevant industry interview granted to me during my 3 years in UOL) They asked me to write up extra stuff so they can help me send in to the firm. I'm very touched that the school was willing to help, alas in the end, the firm did not give me an interview to prove myself. I'm very confident in interview, but if no one gives me the chance for an interview, then what? I've seen some of my friends with what you mention read subject guide only and score jobs I wanted and applied, and I'm not even given interview.
Sometimes i still feel down and regretted not studying to get into
SMU BA, I'm only eligible to get into IS when i applied. The difference with employers' attitude between
SMU and SIM UOL is extremely stark. I once sneaked into a certain firm's career talk in
SMU.. It's like they are begging
SMU students to join them and even got the CFO down. Meanwhile, my friend in SIM investment club told me some banks think SIM is a waste of their time for career talk when they called.
Anyway.. It's all about luck. I've just finished my final paper and looking for job FT. I'm expecting to graduate with minimum 2:1 and very very close to 1st... keeping my fingers crossed. Still no luck with my hunt. Anw, I hope all you guys job hunting all the best! For UOL students, yes, I've heard and seen good stuff happened to people from UOL. It's just luck sometimes.. Don't give up!