How To Secure Your Ideal Job In The Financial Services Industry?

By Author: Deepak Rajput
Total Articles: 21
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The level of competition for jobs across the financial services sector can be considerable and seems to be getting more so each year. The recent gradual upturn across global markets has people considering financial roles as a viable career option once again. However, with the numbers of college leavers who now specialise in financial services and its related areas increasing, potential employers are demanding more and more experience, qualifications and expertise when it comes to short listing possible applicants for vacant roles.

Candidates who are knowledgeable about the financial products and who are well prepared make the best impression. In general, the level and calibre of CVs being put forward for vacant financial sector roles and positions is increasing and making it more difficult to differentiate between applicants. Employers are still however giving importance to the cover letter as a way to differentiate. Potential employers are now coming across candidates who are increasing knowledgeable about the products/financial roles they are applying to and are prepared to answer any questions put to them on the subject.

When ...
... preparing for an interview, consider what all employers want in an employee and what would make you an ideal candidate for the role you are interested in - and show them that you have it. It is important that when applying for roles, the employer understands the correlation between the skill and knowledge you have amassed during your academic career and have included it on your CV, alongside any jobs undertaken to support yourself during your study period. These might include; the ability to write well, to produce quality reports, undertake analysis, to think creatively/logically, to work to deadlines and to self-manage. Consider what all employers want and that is to find an enthusiastic employee who is quick to learn and therefore quickly contributes to their business and adds value to their team. If an employer has to think about having to retrain a job applicant for a period of time, this is time that the employee will not be directly contributing to the business. Rather, an existing employee may have to be assigned to providing the training which will have knock on effects to the day to day running of the business as a whole.

Another good idea in order to prepare yourself for the interview is to get up to speed on some of the basic financial services jargon: A qualification does not guarantee anything, but if you are coming from a non-financial background, it would serve you well to get up to speed with some of the basic financial services jargon and structure of this fragmented and extensive industry before hitting those interviews.

Another way to put yourself ahead of the masses is to contact financial services organisations while still at college and express your interest in working for them after graduating. Several financial services institutions recruit directly from colleges and universities and operate a graduate training program which you can apply for. Also, it can be indispensable to have a contact within the financial services company or product that you are applying for already established which can serve you well when it comes to applying for that all important first position after qualifying in your chosen area of financial expertise.

For a career in financial services, we are happy to recommend Quest Recruitment who are one of Dublin’s premier financial services, Compliance and IT recruitment companies offering a wide range of roles and positions across the board at all levels.

QuestRecruitment.ie #1 Agency offers the best jobs and recruitment services in financial, accountant, banking sectors in Dublin, Cork, Dundalk, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Limerick, Wexford and beyond. Visit our site today!