If you’re a recent graduate, finding a job in finance can be long-winded and challenging. Rather than struggling to do it all yourself, there are a few methods that can help make the process much easier.
Here are our top tips on finding a job in finance after graduating.
Understand the job roles for finance graduates
There are many different roles and positions you can take with a finance degree, but with vastly different job specifications, it’s important you know which jobs you’ll be best suited to.
If you’d like to analyse financial data to provide insights and recommendations for investment decisions, business strategies, and financial planning, you might want to be a Financial Analyst.
On the other hand, an Investment Banker is typically someone who manages financial risks, identifies key investment opportunities, and navigates changing financial regulations. Before you make your choice, we recommend that you research the various opportunities available to you.
Enhance your skills and qualifications
Just because you have a university degree doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed the role. In fact, you’ll need to enhance your skills and qualifications to stand out in a highly competitive job market.
Pursuing additional qualifications or training programs can give you an edge in the recruitment process, as it highlights your dedication to personal development in the financial industry. With a wide range of additional qualifications to choose from (such as the Investment Operations Certificate or the Investment Advisor Certificate), you can select the options best suited to your ideal job role.
Once you have any additional skills and qualifications, make sure they are listed clearly on your CV. You need to make them stand out if you want the hiring manager to register them.
Leverage specialised financial recruitment agencies
One of the more successful ways to find a job in the finance field is by partnering with a specialised recruitment agency. Financial recruitment agencies can provide exclusive access to jobs and personalised career advice.
Additionally, these agencies will likely already have established relationships with top employers. This means that going through a recruiter can easily put you a step above the competition who are applying directly, as most reputable recruiters will vet their candidates before submitting them to the hiring manager.
The recruiter can also give you personalised feedback and guide you through the application process. Ultimately, they want you to succeed, so they’ll give you every advantage available to help you have the best interview possible.
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Network and gain practical experience
Your degree is only the start of your development. As such, there are many things you can do to make yourself appear more impressive to potential employers.
One major point to remember is that who you know is just as important as what you know. Attending networking events and building connections with others can lead to some excellent opportunities, like internships or full-time positions.
It’s also worth noting that experience is invaluable. Volunteering with financial organisations can help you learn more about the industry and learn what potential roles entail. This additional knowledge can give you the edge over another candidate who may lack that additional experience.
