Learn some examples of financial organizations and what they look for in applicants.
Nowadays, technical finance skills are commonly associated with industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokerage. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital might know, such financial skills 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 due to the fact that finance specialists are expected to have an excellent balance between soft and hard abilities that enable them to manage stakeholder relationships successfully. Although the finance industry is unique and each position requires varying hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some abilities that are considered essential across all roles in this dynamic sector. For example, being comfortable with numbers and data-driven analysis is definitely up there as an important skill, as you will likely be working with numbers and statistical datasets as a finance specialist at some point.
Regardless of what particular department you work in, there are some general finance skills that you must have embedded in your CV, as Edward Tilly of Clear Street would know. Accounting skills is one example of this. Nowadays, companies in the finance sector look for accounting backgrounds in graduates, or at least the capacity to dissect financial statements and company reports. This does not mean you must have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather proficiency in reading and interpreting financial records. This is because the conclusions that can be derived from such documents are crucial for executives and stakeholders when it comes to evaluating a company financial health. Moreover, since accounting knowledge is fundamental across a range of diverse financial positions in the industry, companies tend to offer competitive compensation for those that have professional accounting credentials or possess the required accounting skills.
The financial sector in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you must build the essential skills that are required as a minimum in this fast-changing and fiercely competitive field. For instance, relationship-building skills are probably some of the most crucial soft finance skills out there today. As Hugo Bedford of JM Finn would know, reliable relationships are integral to success for financial leaders, particularly in times of uncertainty 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 trusting you to make the best financial decisions for them to maximize their assets and resources. As a result, managing your strategic and long-term professional interactions with your stakeholders successfully takes time to build trust, respect, and credibility with them.