4 Jobs That Will Propel Your Finance Career
Do you have what it takes for a successful finance career? The applicant pool is unfortunately large while the job pool is often small. That doesn’t mean you can’t find happiness in the career of your dreams, however. The following four jobs aren’t glamorous, but they all function as stepping-stones that just might propel you to the next level of your finance career.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer work is a great way to get a leg up against the competition in any field. Job seekers can post their volunteer credentials on LinkedIn in the Volunteer Marketplace section. By publicizing your volunteer work history, you showcase a set of skills and personality traits that just might sway a potential employer. A manager forced to choose between two job candidates — one with volunteer experience and one without — often gravitates toward the person with the seemingly richer personality and work history.
Even if you’ve volunteered in a field unrelated to your career path, be sure to include this information on your résumé and LinkedIn profile. Job candidates who show ambition and drive both inside and outside the workplace are more likely to pique the interest of potential employers.
College Internship
Internship experience during your college years can help pave the way toward a full-time, paid finance job. Some schools take part in outreach programs that link students to the apprenticeship of their choice. If you’re not sure what type of finance job you want yet, use your internship as a way to test the waters and try new things.
As a student, you might apply for a job as a paid or unpaid assistant in a local brokerage. Sales and office positions within a firm also provide the exposure and experience you need to make your résumé shine. Every career-related experience you get during these formative years will help you grow your knowledge and shape your path in the career of finance.
Entry Level Jobs and Training Programs
Think of your finance career as a ladder. Like most ladders, you’ll probably have to start on the bottom rung. While smaller firms don’t typically offer entry-level training programs, some of the larger firms do. If you’re lucky enough to land a job with a bulge bracket company, chances are your employer will place you in a year-long, entry-level training program.
While in the program, your superiors will keep a sharp eye on your professional growth. Your progress will be monitored and compared to that of your peers. Instead of panicking, think of this probationary period as your year-long audition for greater things. One of the best ways to ascend the ranks in the world of finance is to earn your rookie stripes. Keep on grinning, bear the stress that inevitably comes, and show them what you can do.
When searching for work, strive to find an employer who provides nurturing opportunities like the jobs at Fisher Investments. One of the best ways to advance your finance career is to partner with a company that recognizes your talents and provides the training necessary to advance your knowledge and reach your goals. After all, it’s your career and your life. Don’t settle.
Overseas Finance Jobs
We live in a globalized, interconnected world. As such, the market for overseas finance jobs has dramatically expanded over the past few years. Not everyone is willing to pack up their life and head over to Asia or India for a new job. If you happen to be one of the people who is willing, however, your career will reap great rewards.
Right now, jobs in investment banking and hedge funds are particularly trendy overseas. If spending a couple of years honing your finance skills in another country entices you, seek out potential employers who affiliate themselves with global markets. Communicate your passion and willingness to travel across the world for your career. Your unabashed enthusiasm will set you apart from other job candidates.
To succeed in finance, you must be a skilled communicator, marketer, problem solver, and manager. The job is sometimes intimidating but oft-times rewarding. Surround yourself with the right people and experiences and your finance career simply can’t go wrong.
