Job seekers guide to entry level finance jobs

Finding a great job in the current work environment is quite difficult, especially due to a high level of competition. Every year, there are thousands of graduates flooding the job market and all of them have something unique to offer to employers. At this point, being a jobseeker is a job by itself. Many finance employees are usually between 25 to 34 years of age working in positions such as accounting, investment banking, debt review and financial analysis, among others. If you want to blow out the competition and start developing your finance career, consider trying the following.

Networking

One of the ways to get an entry level position in finance is through networking. You need to be very strategic when networking and reach out to people who can be potential leads for great opportunities such as fellow alumni working in companies that you are interested in. Set up a meeting with such individuals and find out what it’s like to work in these companies. Having a great relationship with other finance employees will help to put you in the loop of things. You should also attend various networking events where you are likely to come across individuals in the same industry.

When you create a strong and wide network, you can get the latest information on lucrative vacancies in your career interest. And in case you decide to apply for a job, you can be sure there is someone on the inside to put in a good word for you.

Recruitment and internship programs

There are various finance companies that offer internship and work placement programs for college students. You do not have to wait until you graduate in order to get your foot in the door. You can develop a great rapport with potential employers based on your internship experience. Internships are one of the best leads to entry level positions. If you do a good job and make a great impression with the employers, you may be placed in top consideration for the next vacancy in the company.

Recruitment programs for underrepresented groups in the finance world such as Native Americans, LGBT and Hispanics are also a great opportunity offered by various large firms. You can find out from alumni whether such programs are a good fit.

Develop your skills

A basic degree alone is not enough to set you apart in the current cutthroat finance industry. You need to develop global skills that employers will consider an asset to their company. You need to show your potential employer that you are a global asset by learning international languages, working with cross cultural teams and student organizations or even taking a semester abroad. There has been an increase in the number of finance positions that require multi-lingual professionals.

Start with less prominent entry-level finance positions

Many college graduates are often quite ambitious wanting to start at the top of the ladder. However, you can build your career and develop a broad based portfolio that will make you a more valuable asset in the future. There are many other options out there besides investment banking. You can find various opportunities in corporate finance such as planning and budgeting. You can also get more responsibilities from small and midsize companies rather than larger companies.

Charlie Brown is a freelance content writer. He has written many articles on different categories like Technology, fashion, finance, travel, health, etc. To know more about him, please his blog.