To find a job in the finance industry, you will ideally have a degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business. Once you have graduated with one of these degrees, or even better before you have graduated, it is important to pick a suitable niche you’d like to work and build a career in.
Finance degrees can lead to jobs with corporations, or in financial institutions. In a corporate job you could find yourself as an analyst, where you would make strategic decisions for the business. You could also find yourself with an accountant job, where you keep track of budgets and spending. Work would be related to transactions in jobs in financial institutions and insurance companies. You could also be a financial planner, or sell stock.
Narrow Your Job Search Down
To help you on your way to finding a job in finance you will really enjoy, speak to one of your teachers, mentors or tutors (if your still currently studying) about the current courses open to you which will be most suited to your career path. Once you have done this and been given referrals to companies who would hire for the position, you can also research companies whose products and services tie in with your hobbies or what you are interested in.
You must also decide what you consider to be more important, security in a job or your salary. For example, if salary is important to you and you’ve got the gift of the gab, sales is a good job choice. There is no limit to what you can earn in sales, especially if your commissioned based. Just beware if your in sales your basic salary will be quite low so being able to sell is important!
Find Job Opportunities by Networking
Networking before you graduate is a great way to get in touch with potential employers and other people who are already on the career path. There are student clubs you can join that invite potential employers to visit, there are also off career fairs you could try. You could try and arrange an internship otherwise known as on the job training.
Relate Your CV to Your Course Experience
You don’t need to have a lot of experience, your CV can still impress. Base your CV on your course, and explain your classes, what you have learned, and any special projects or achievements.
When you list your job history, list jobs you have held unrelated to the finance industry and try and think of duties that may be similar or related to accounting or something along those lines. Talk about anything you achieved or accomplished while in your current role or your course achievements, making sure to draw out your transferable skills.
CV writing can be a chore but there are some good tips out there to produce a fantastic stand out CV. Check out our post on How to Write a Good CV which may help. If you have some spare cash, you might prefer to pay a professional to write your CV for you however have a go yourself and take a look at some other CV examples online.
Make Your Job Search Your Job
If you want a great finance job then you have to put the effort in. Treat your job search as if it were a job, making sure to make a list of tasks that you can complete daily. These tasks could be contacting potential employers, searching different job search websites, or even making an account on www.linkedin.com to help with your networking. There are plenty of job sites online however I would recommend you find yourself a good finance recruitment agency as they will understand your industry completely and will help find the perfect role for you.
Putting the effort in will be so worth it when you graduate and start your dream job!
