But what if you're an investment advisor who is looking to further your career, despite current economic times? It's not as gloomy as some believe. Many people are realizing they're at that one-day-I-will place in their lives. Those who put off increasing the contributions to their retirement funds or who put off diversifying their assets are now realizing that one-day has arrived. If there's ever been a time for an analyst to strike while the iron is hot, this is it. But before you leap forward, be sure to arm yourself with the entire picture. You'll still face obstacles and you'll need to know what others are facing in their chosen fields so that you can best serve their needs.
For those who are first-time job seekers, who are looking to make their mark in one of the many financial companies, there are ways to ensure your resume is seen and you receive those phone calls for interviews. Your first goal is to know what you're up against. Indeed, the numbers aren't awe-inspiring, but again, there are sectors who are suffering far worse fates in these unstable times.
- Employment in securities and investments saw declines in employment numbers for the second month in a row, with the two-month total of 15,000 jobs.
- The financial sector as a whole cut 24,000 positions in October for a year-to-date total of 96,000.
- The good news is 13,000 positions were added to companies that are best described as mid-size corporations that aren't suffering the fate of the large conglomerates that most people believed would remain steady and recession-proof. These mid-size corporations are the companies that are at least holding their own, and some are even adding to their payrolls.
You may be wondering how to gain success when it's dependent on those working in some of the hardest-hit sectors. Even if you've never had problems securing a position, you most likely have seen the flip side of that reality. Now might be the ideal time to consider what recruitment services offer. These services arm you with the knowledge that can garner an edge over others looking for positions in the same career as you. It's also important to differentiate the various services offered. You'll want to choose a recruiter whose goal is to assist the job applicant. Many recruiters are working from the perspective of employers and are meeting their needs. The difference is the availability of the recruiter to answer your questions.
Another critical factor that simply can't be overlooked is your education. Those with the most education are often considered, solely because of their achievements in a scholastic environment. Even if you've just made the decision to return to school, it still reflects to a potential employer that you're assertive, with a sincere desire to continue your educational growth.
This seems as though it's an understood rule of career searches, but preparing an ideal resume is part of your total package you can't take for granted. Keep in mind, employers consistently trash resumes with typographical errors or a poor use of grammar. This is important, since they trash those less-than-perfect submissions before they even consider what the information tells. They simply know it wasn't prepared professionally and that it was prepared by someone who didn’t consider it necessary to run a spell check or even do a quick proofread before sending it on.
Keep in mind you're looking for a career in less than ideal circumstances. You can bet your resume isn't the only one hitting an inbox within a personnel department's email program; nor are you the only one concerned with the number of applicants per available positions. Everyone is looking for that edge that will hopefully land them their dream-job position. Any tool you could incorporate and then choose not to effectively lowers your chances significantly. As simple as this sounds, remember to not become your own worst enemy.
