Learn some examples of financial organizations and what they look for in candidates.
Today, technical finance skills are commonly associated with industry-specific roles, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokerage. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital might know, such finance abilities merely scratch the surface when analyzing the finance sector in general and what is expected of every specialist or candidate in this sector. This is because financial professionals are expected to have an excellent balance between soft and hard skills that enable them to manage stakeholder relationships successfully. Although the finance industry is unique and each role requires different hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some skills that are regarded as mandatory throughout all positions in this dynamic industry. For instance, being comfortable with numbers and quantitative skills is definitely up there as an important skill, as you will likely be working with numbers and statistical datasets as a finance professional at some point.
Regardless of what particular department you work in, there are some general finance skills that you must have embedded in your resume, as Edward Tilly of Clear Street would know. Accounting skills is one example of this. Nowadays, companies in the financial sphere look for accounting backgrounds in entry-level candidates, or at least the ability to interpret financial statements and company documents. This doesn't imply you need have previous experience as an expert accountant, but rather skill in reading and analyzing economic documents. This is due to the fact that the insights that can be derived from such reports are essential for business leaders and stakeholders when it relates to assessing a company economic health. Additionally, since accounting knowledge is fundamental across a range of diverse financial roles in the industry, companies tend to offer competitive compensation for those who have professional accounting credentials or demonstrate the necessary accounting skills.
The financial sector in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you should build the core skills that are expected as a minimum in this fast-changing and highly competitive sector. For example, relationship-building skills are probably some of the most crucial soft finance skills out there today. As Hugo Bedford of JM Finn might know, reliable relationships are integral to success for financial leaders, particularly in times of instability or complexity. As a leader in a financial organization, it's very crucial to ensure that your relationships with your clients are solid, as these clients are essentially relying on you with their investments, and counting on you to make the best financial choices for them to grow their assets and wealth. As a result, building your key and long-term professional relationships with your stakeholders effectively requires time to cultivate confidence, respect, and authenticity with them.