Finance Career Advice

Jobs in finance can cover many different business sectors so you can find a position in other industries. The majority of jobs are in banking or financial institutions across the UK. Finance careers provide many choices for job roles, so you can easily find a job that suits your skill set and particular are of interest.

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How to Work in the Finance sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Finance

Should you wish to work in Finance you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Finance Job

  • 2 or 3 A levels (finance officer or financial advisor)
  • Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping (finance office)
  • Level 2 Certificate in Accounting (finance office)
  • Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies (finance office)
  • University degree (financial adviser)

Core Finance Skills

You will need a good head for numbers and excellent analytical skills. Excellent attention to detail is essential as you will be working with complex data and according to strict guidelines and regulations. 

Finance professionals have excellent organisation skills, and many tasks will have strict deadlines. Good communication skills will be useful too, as you will work with people across many seniority levels.

If you are looking for a fast-paced career, then a job in finance is for you.

Key Responsibilities for a Finance Job

  • Planning financial projects for clients
  • Researching new financial products on the market
  • Developing forecasts
  • Preparing budgets and investment strategies
  • Executing financial tasks
  • Strategising fund procurements
  • Monitoring investments
  • Managing ROI tracking
  • Reporting to senior management
  • Evaluating financial performance of the business portfolio

What to expect in a Finance Job

Working in finance will usually start in a junior role and working towards a more senior position as you gain experience and more qualifications. Many of the top financial institutions have a graduate finance program so that you can work for some of the most recognised names in the industry. You will usually work in an office or within a bank, and work can involve working on complex projects on your own or collaborating with other professionals.

Recommended Finance Jobs

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How to get Finance Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Finance job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Finance application. If you have not held a Finance position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Finance role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Finance CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Finance application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Finance in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Finance 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Finance and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Finance experience.

How to get Finance Experience

What does it take to be a Finance? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Finance jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Finance through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Finance Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Finance part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Finance or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Finance freelance work

If you have impressive Finance qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.