Hoping to work in finance but don’t know how to get your foot into the door?? Worried that you didn’t study a finance Major? No worries, many different paths lead into the finance world, and what degree you studied matters less and less in this digital world. After all, your degree does not define you, it’s your enthusiasm and motivation which do!
It’s important to highlight that these days employers focus increasingly on transferable soft skills over technical hard skills, and seek Graduates who are well-rounded and interdisciplinary. For example, many companies have a special preference for students who studied science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) at University, because these degrees teach students important critical thinking and problem solving skills that are highly sought after in analytical finance roles such as trading. In addition, students who studied Law or Arts bring excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence to their work, which are integral in teamwork and client interactions. Finance is an extremely broad term, and its roles are very diverse, so whether you are a more qualitative or quantitative person, your personal skills can definitely be applied to an area of finance.
Now, you might be wondering, how do I stand out in an interview among Commerce students? Here are some tips:
Let your passion shine through. Ask yourself, why do I want to work in finance? Do I trade or invest in stocks? Do I have a family member who works in finance? Was I inspired by something in the media? Have an answer to these questions, and emphasise your drive to work in financial services. Know which area of finance you would like to work in, rather than just say you are interested in finance. Is it investment banking or trading? Is it research or investment management? If you don’t know what these terms mean yet, read the next tip below!
Brush up on your financial knowledge. If your recruiter has read your CV, they will most likely not ask technical questions that are too hard. That being said, you will need to learn the necessary knowledge sooner or later if finance is the career path you wish to pursue. In an interview, you should still be prepared to answer some basic finance questions such as the typical “How do you value a company?”. If you have some space left in your degree, take some finance electives. You can also enrol in an online course. Another useful tip is to read financial news, which can increase your grasp of business vocabulary and enhance your business acumen. This also keeps you up to date with what is happening in global financial markets. Make sure to have a view on particular market movements or a recent transaction. Talking about this will sure impress your interviewer!
Network. Talk to people. Connect with people on LinkedIn. This can involve finance Lecturers at your University, friends you might know who work in finance, people who work at the company you want to apply to, or even somebody you don’t know yet but would like to get to know in the future. Ask questions about their experiences and their work. Put yourself out there and make your name remembered. When it comes to finding a job, your connections make a world of difference in either putting in a good word for you or just providing a piece of useful information. If you can, find a mentor who will inspire you and help you achieve your potential. If you’re a shy and introverted individual, start off with small steps and talk to people around you first, before expanding your network when you get more comfortable. You can also check out our blog on how to network like a pro!
After you’ve made it past the recruitment stage, the company will typically provide some sort of training or onboarding to all Graduates, which will hopefully give you more time to acquaint yourself with your role. When you are in the industry, there are also finance courses you can study such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program, which is one of the most reputable certifications in the investment management industry. Progressing through its exams and its Levels significantly enhances the finance and investing skills of not just non-finance Graduates, but even those with a finance background. Furthermore, many companies also sponsor their staff to complete MBAs or other Postgraduates programs while working part-time, which is another great opportunity to enhance your finance knowledge.
All in all, it’s definitely possible to work in finance without a finance degree. What’s important is to demonstrate your motivation for the role, and to put in the hard work behind the scenes! For a better understanding into finance roles, why not gain first-hand experience through an internship with one of our Corporate Partners? Sign up today!
