What personal qualities/qualifications are important?

Getting into high-level financial positions usually requires a degree, however there are alternative routes for entry and progression. For some jobs, entrants have to pass qualifications within set timeframes before they can give advice or carry out financial transactions. However, non-academic qualities are equally important. Employers usually look for a broad range of personal skills, including team-working skills, good self-motivation and an interest in financial and business affairs.

In the old days young people entering a bank or insurance company worked their way up from the bottom, and probably stayed with that organisation all their working lives. Those were the days when banks were expanding and recruiting heavily. Banks do still recruit, but the numbers are smaller the hours are more variable (with many organisations opening on Saturday) - and there's certainly not a job for life anymore! On the plus side, there's much more opportunity to move around, and there are plenty of openings in other parts of the Financial Services industry. As an example, financial advisers and planners whether working in a bank, building society, insurance company, estate agent, or independently - are increasingly in demand to help people plan their financial futures.

If you have the right qualifications you can move from a general area into a specialist financial area - and there are plenty of openings for IT, personnel and marketing specialists too! That's not to say you don't have to work hard once you've obtained the qualifications, of course!

Most employers will look for one or more of the following, depending on the sector an entry level you're aiming for:

  • Good GCSEs (5 at C and above), including Maths and English, and A levels
  • Certificate in Financial Services Practice (an Institute of Financial Services Qualification)
  • Certificate for Financial Advisers (if that's the area you're interested in)
  • Degree - perhaps in a business or financial subject.
  • National Vocational Qualifications - such as customer services, relevant to all sectors
  • Other relevant professional qualification

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