By Ian Reseigh
Whether you are seeking a graduate-level job or looking to change careers, roles within the financial sector require certain skills and attributes. Improving on these areas where necessary, and making sure they are highlighted clearly during the application process, can be the difference between landing a job and ending up in the reject pile.
But what exactly are financial services recruiters looking for in potential candidates? Here, we take a look at some of the most important traits, so that you can impress employers and stand out from the pack:
A Capacity For Fast-Learning
Financial services are constantly evolving and those working in the industry need to be able to grasp new ideas quickly. Regardless of the level of education you currently have, working in the financial sector requires continued learning throughout your career and recruiters are looking for people who will be able to cope with those demands.
“Learning new concepts quickly–whether it is a task, assimilating new information or data, managing a project, or meeting a new client–is important,” says Jane Clark, a head of campus recruitment for Barclays. “New markets, products, deals and opportunities continually emerge and agile learners are needed to deliver results.”
As a result, throughout the application process, it is important to emphasise both a desire and ability to learn and face up to fresh challenges. If you can clearly demonstrate to recruiters that you are able to take new information on board and learn unfamiliar concepts swiftly, you stand a much better chance of being hired.
Effective Communication Skills
In many jobs, communication plays an important role, but recruiters for financial services firms are seeking people with very specific skills in this area. Throughout a typical working day, you may need to talk to people with high levels of financial knowledge, and others with practically zero knowledge. For this reason, in addition to clear written and verbal communication skills, it is vital to possess the ability to adapt your communication, based on audience.
“You will need to convey complex information in a professional and jargon-free manner,” explains Giovanna Miceli, talent acquisition leader at Marsh & McLennan Companies. “Learning to tailor your communication style is vital.”
It is likely that your communication skills will be judged from the very beginning of the recruitment process, starting with the answers you give on your application form and culminating at the interview stage, where you may need to provide examples of effective communication or demonstrate it firsthand by giving a presentation.
Academic and Extra-Curricular Achievement
Of course, your achievements outside of work will play a role in deciding whether you get a job, and both academic and extra-curricular aspects can appeal to recruiters. When it comes to financial services, at entry level, a degree may not be necessary, although high school and college achievements will still be looked at, with a focus on areas like math. For some positions, however, possessing a university education can stand you in good stead.
“Degrees that require strong analytical skills are important,” says David Schwartz, a former director of recruitment for Goldman Sachs. “Math and science, economics, and even something like history, as long as the candidate can demonstrate some numeracy.”
Moreover, it can be extremely beneficial to highlight certain areas of extra-curricular achievement. Involvement in team sports can display dedication and teamwork, while the ability to play a musical instrument can show precision and an aptitude for learning. If, during an interview or application form, you are asked to list interests and hobbies, think about what recruiters might want and try to highlight those which suggest you have transferable skills.