The four pillars of a successful job hunt
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, QUARTIC TRAINING
HOW far do you need to go to get that job? It won’t be news to you if we report that the jobs market in finance is pretty tough at the moment. But with hundreds of applicants for each position, how do you maximise your chances?
FRESHEN UP YOUR CV
Your CV is your advertisement to the world: make it stand out. Many candidates for finance jobs have multiple versions, one for corporate finance, one for asset management, and so on. The person reading the CV must feel that you are ideal for the job.
Get a friend to read it through: bad formatting and spelling mistakes are a sure way to get your prospects thrown directly into the small round filing cabinet under the desk.
At our careers seminars we find that a little bit of care, and a second (and third) opinion, will help to make your CV irresistible.
GET THE IMC OR CFA
Or at least start the process. The Investment Management Certificate (IMC) can be passed in the space of a few months while the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program takes three years or more.
Although the CFA program can seem daunting, you will be learning skills that employers are looking for. Candidates are encouraged to state on their CV that they are doing the exams, and it is a clear indication that you are “walking the walk”.
In fact, we have found that a high proportion of our students get job offers even before their first exam: studying for the CFA exams – and being prepared for technical interview questions – is the best proof that you’re keen on a finance career. The CFA program is also the most global finance exam: our Hong Kong office receives as many enquiries from expats, as from true Hong Kongers.
NETWORK EFFECTIVELY
A good LinkedIn profile is essential. You need quality not quantity of contacts, and can look at your extended network to find the right people at your target firms. When you send out your CV, try to write to named people. Never mailmerge it – it is easier to delete an e-mail than to send one.
Your Facebook profile also matters. You can be sure that your interviewer will have searched you out before meeting you. A presence on Facebook is more revealing than LinkedIn, and you really don’t want the first impression of you to be in a drunken stupor.
READ THE PAPERS
A favourite opening interview question that we use in our careers seminars is: “So what did you find interesting in today’s paper?” Your interviewer doesn’t want to hear about celebrities, royal scandals or footballers’ wives. Stories about company results, economics or the stock market will show you’re up for the job.
It may be that you don’t find it particularly exciting when a company appoints a new chief executive. However if you read a paper regularly you’ll soon get to know the history and personalities of the most important players in the City.
As for choosing the right paper – full marks on that front already.
Nicholas Blain is chief executive of Quartic Training