3rd exam before getting job?

[mcgruff]

I just took FM today and passed P earlier. I'm currently an engineer. My plan is to be prepared to look for a job as soon as I found out I passed. (Fingers crossed on that.) But supposing I don't find a job right away, am I better off taking a third exam (say, MFE) during the next cycle, or should I just be content to do my job searching with two exams passed? And how many exams can one pass before it actually starts hurting job prospects, given that one has no corresponding actuarial experience? It would probably be weird to be almost at associate level with no actuarial experience---you'd be overqualified for some jobs and underqualified for others.

So, should I keep taking exams or wait until after I actually get a job before taking a third exam?

[matt_madison]

Since you live in the US (and I'm guessing that you're qualified to work in the US) and you have already passed exam P, you should start applying now!

[mcgruff]

I've always heard though that two exams was the magic number. By the way, I'm an engineer with an engineering degree, not a math, statistics, or actuarial science degree. From what I understand, people with a formal education more closely associated with being any actuary are able to apply for a job whereas people with other degrees generally need two exams. Have I got that right?

[binky_4me]

From what I understand, people with a formal education more closely associated with being any actuary are able to apply for a job whereas people with other degrees generally need two exams. Have I got that right?

not necessarily... you need exams even if you majored in actuarial science. exams are the key, period. that shows employers that you are serious about the profession and that you have the potential to suceed in it. an english major with 2 exams could possibly get the job before a math major with no exams because that shows the dedication and seriousness to pursue.

[matt_madison]

2 might be the magic number, but if you just took exam FM, it will be another 8-10 weeks before the results, then another 2-3 months until you actually start your new job. Do you want to wait 5-6 months? And what happens if you don't pass FM, are you going to wait another 8 months until the results from that exam?

Start now, if you don't find something, then once the results come out, and assuming you pass, you can send an "update" to all the people that "rejected" you because of your current situation. However, you can probably find something with what you have now.

[Irish Blues]

Getting 3 still won't cause problems in the vast majority of cases. Getting 4 may be dicey for some employers, but shouldn't be a significant deterrent.