Finance is one of the most competitive professions to work in. It’s for this reason that so many people either steer away from it, or take a lower paying position out of fear that they can’t compete. However, when it comes to working in the field, there are plenty of ways, not to mention positions you can take that offer high levels of job satisfaction. If you’re looking to work in this sector, here’s some of the best ways to go about it.
Education Counts
To work in finance, you need to love learning. Why? Because it’s a field that’s always changing, and without proper knowledge, you could miss out on promotions and other opportunities. If you’re working in a different niche or want to expand your skillset, going back to college is a viable option. If you are not able to pay out of pocket, you could consider applying for a student loan. Students loans can help you cover the cost of attendance, regardless of whether you plan on going full-time or only part-time.
Consider an Internship
You not only have to choose the perfect university, you must also consider the perfect internship. After you have the right skills under you belt, your next is to find a position that you love. While there is a lot of competition to get hired, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You could choose to do a paid internship, which could lead to a job offer. A lot of firms offer summer internship for new grads looking to get their feet wet. Goldman Sachs, for instance, usually offers spots for people wanting to get paid while learning from some of the top financial gurus in NYC.
Follow the Latest Trends
Even with a solid set of educational credentials, you need to follow financial trends. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg will keep you in the know and make networking chat a lot less awkward.
Network Regularly
Rubbing elbows with the right people can also help you find a job. If you live in a big city, there’s always some kind of event that you can attend to meet others in your position. Some firms actually hold them and attend to scout for new candidates. You should also look for ways to connect online with other people working in your chosen role. LinkedIn now allows you to connect and chat with others, in addition to creating a profile that lets potential employers know you’re looking for work.
Get Credentialed
In addition to earning a degree, you should also look into other types of certification. Investment brokers in the USA can sit for the SIE, or Securities Industry Exam. This certification demonstrates that you have solid knowledge of investing and securities as a whole. You don’t need to be sponsored to take this exam.
Ace Your Interview
Interviewing is by far one of the most nerve-wracking experiences, regardless of job type. That said, there are ways to make the process a little less painful. You should practice interviewing prior to the big day. Even though you don’t really know which questions you’ll be asked, you can still prepare by answering mock questions, speaking slowly and even deciding how to say you don’t really know the answer to a specific question the interviewer asks.
