Here are some tips for obtaining a finance management job in today's market:
The first step to getting jobs in financial services is to keep your own money and life in order. From the beginning, you need to keep your credit as close to perfect as possible. This means living within your means, and monitoring it regularly. Your personal criminal record is even more important. If you have legal problems, your hope of becoming a finance manager is virtually nil.
To be a financial manager, you must have a great understanding of money. The next thing you should do is work towards a degree in financeA finance degree is a vital step to becoming a finance manager. Extensive schooling also helps.
Once you have the schooling and the background, it is time to start networking. Meet people in the industry and start to get your name out there. Go to all the local seminars and meetings. Become a networker in the financial services field. Give your card to every single person that you come into contact with. A financial services manager is only as good as his address book. Contacts are everything in this field.
If you are unable to find a position in your area, then spread your network wider. Look in surrounding towns, states, and even countries to find openings. In the financial management world, it sometimes pays off to be flexible in your location.
When you are working towards a management position, it helps to be working in the field in some capacity. Every single day in the business gives you added credibility, and you also gain experience. If you are working in a lower level position, you can use this time to acquire a degree in this field. Your schooling background can make a difference to your attempts to become a manager. The more you know, the better your chances of getting the management positions.
Don’t forget to actively job search using the tools and resources available to you. One of the most effective ways to discover available jobs is to take advantage of online job sites. There are specialist sites, which only advertise positions in particular fields and you can find these by doing an Internet search for them. There are also large generalist online job sites, which advertise tens of thousands of jobs across all employment areas. You can locate finance jobs on these sites by searching by category, location, and salary. Usually an advanced search option is also offered so that you can search for a specific job title or on relevant keywords that will help you narrow down your search. Most of these sites allow you to request an email alert to inform you of new jobs that have become available, which match the your specific criteria. This service can save you a lot of time actively looking for work and can make it easy to look for work while you are still employed in your current position.
Professional associations can also be a good source of financial services jobs. Their websites often advertise relevant vacancies and you can also find job advertisements in their journals. You may also be able to subscribe to an online jobs list, which is sent on a regular basis via email attachment or link. Being a member of the relevant professional associations also tells potential employers that you are dedicated and interested in your profession.
Don’t forget to have a professional, relevant, and up to date resume, which is industry specific. If you are in any doubt as to the quality of your resume, it would be worth your while to have it professionally appraised and, if necessary, rewritten. Your application letters should also be uniquely written for each job application. They need to address the specific selection criteria for each advertised position. Your resume and letters of application won’t get you the job but they can get you an interview.
Finally, make sure you interview often for any financial management positions that may come up. Even if you do not get the position, it is important that you practice your interview skills. If you do not try for the position, it is unlikely that you will get one. Take a class or two to get better at interviewing. Most of your competitors will have a comparable background and degree as yours, so you have to do what you can to make yourself stand out. These interview classes can be priceless. Most of all, get out there and interview!
Jobs for financial services are among the most competitive jobs in the world. There is no shortage of great candidates for any one position, and you must cover all your bases to make yourself stand out.
