With the global economic meltdown, the collapse of the stock market and many banks with it, you could be forgiven for thinking a career in the financial sector is currently out of the question, but you might be very wrong. While many in unsuccessful departments might be losing their jobs, graduate recruitment in big banks is continuing, so there is hope for those interested in jobs in finance.
You might imagine that banks would have recruitment as a pretty low priority right now, but many banks are aware that cutting graduate recruitment now could impact on the amount of talent within the organisation when the economic climate eventually begins to improve. Bank’s don’t want a skills shortage later on – they will have to pay handsomely for it, so many are continuing with graduate recruitment despite recent redundancies.
Changes in breeding patterns mean that young people are becoming a scarce commodity. Employed young and nourished and nurtured in the financial sector, a graduate could become a real asset to a financial institution.
Ideal candidates for jobs in Finance are at ease analysing and interpreting figures, understanding a vast amalgamation of complex information. Most accounting systems are now completely computerised, so candidates that are familiar and skilled with technology could also find themselves taking to a career in finance like a duck to water.
To work in the financial sector good communication skills are essential; both written and oral, as well as problem solving skills, a meticulous approach to work and the ability to work under incredible pressure. Some financial jobs require a full understanding of legal frameworks, although this only applies to a minority of roles.
Jobs in Finance normally mean working for massive institutions, meaning that successful professionals can gain responsibility quickly. Candidates could end up assisting in growing a business, making acquisitions or planning an organisation’s financial future. Jobs in financial institutions tend to be relatively stable, although security is performance related, as the recent ‘credit crunch’ proved.
The financial job market is extremely diverse, so don’t simply think about them, as number-crunching jobs. There is a wide range of interesting career paths within financial organisations and successful employees can find themselves with an interesting and exciting career.
Work can involve a lot of travel, flitting between offices around the world. The work concerns the law, the media, the government and recruitment, among other things. Research the area of the finance sector which interests you and let your skills flourish in the financial job market.
