There are a few things that finance professionals can do to improve their employability in challenging market conditions. One is some strategic networking. Another is dogged persistence. Another is a willingness to go out and get some new qualifications.
With regards to the latter, eFinancialCareers has produced a ranking of the qualifications most likely to increase finance professionals’ employability in the City.
When matching the qualification requirements for the job opportunities advertised on eFinancialCareers.co.uk* with the new or newly updated UK CVs registered in the last three months, we can say that, for finance professionals eager to maximise their employability, an ACA seems the best bet. Looking at the average number of CVs per job opportunity specifying an ACA qualification, we obtain a number of 3 resumes per job. Unfortunately, it takes around three years to complete. A PhD may also help, but likewise is time consuming. Interestingly, an ACCA will apparently make more difference than passing a MBA will. Passing a CFA exam may not help as the market is already crowded with an average of 27 CVs per job opportunity.
“In a challenging work environment, finance professionals can’t leave anything to chance. Finance candidates with the right mix of skills, experience and qualification are more likely to achieve job success. For those looking to stand out, the right qualification may distinguish them from the crowd. The ACA professional qualification is recognised by a huge and diverse spread of organizations, from the biggest professional services firms and major multinationals, to the small and medium-sized businesses. This diversity of recognition means that an ACA qualification will put candidates in a better place,” comments James Bennett, Global Managing Director of eFinancialCareers.
