Help with getting into the finance industry?

Question

I have over 4 years experence doing administration/secretarial roles and a degree in media sudies which i only got 3rd as i had problems whilst at university. I have now realised that i want a career in the finance industry and have just started to study towards my ACCA but I am struggling to find a job in the financial industry,

I am prepared to start in an assistant role and work my way up but I am struggling to get the roles, Any advice as I know must jobs are given through networking and recommendation. Please help I have already joint a number of agencies and they do not seem to be working. How have you all got your interviews?

Answer 1

I actually got my start in the finance department of a huge Powersports dealership that sold motorcycles, crotch rockets and that sort of thing. I put together a "Special Finance" section and got praise for signing several banks on. (I did a LOT of research to get those banks). Then, in doing so, I made alliances and friends with several of the banks, and was offered a position to work with Honda.

I actually hated finance so much that I preferred my nighttime gig bartending better. LOL The money turned out to be right around the same and finance isn't NEARLY as much fun as hanging out with all your friends every night.

But, now I'm taking some time off to be with my kids and my birds. Eventually, I'll go back to work full time, but I don't think it will be in finance. It's a draining career that is full of stress, depends a lot on making everyone else happy and I'm just not built for it.

Answer 2

I tried to get into the finance sector with my admin and policy skills for years - I finally got lucky about 6 months ago.

Think beyond the big high street/American banks - perhaps look at smaller financial companies such as hedgefund, investment, merchant banks - there are many small outfits which will offer you as much interest as the big banks.

Personality and confidence is a big seller in finance so you need to come over as confident, assertive and organised. Do some homework about the various types of investments like hedgefunds etc, property is now big for investment so read the financial pages and just be aware of the current trends.

Apart from that it is often about who you know (though I knew nobody in the sector) or just luck - find yourself a good agency like I did- one that you feels really likes you and respects you (you will be halfway there then) and one which operates in financial areas of London - Docklands, City, St James's. Additionally it might be worth your while sending your CV on spec with a covering letter saying why you would like to work for the particular company and what you can offer - it is worth a try!

It may take time and you need to be persistant and take other jobs in the meantime, as long as you are strengthening your office/management skills it all helps.

Answer 3

when you're having difficulty gaining a position as a trainee chartered accountant with the help of the ACCA scheme then i might want to recommend that you position your factors of interest somewhat decrease firstly. What you should do is to finally end up a job as a trainee accounting technician (CAT or AAT). once qualified you may then bypass on to benefit to develop right into a chartered accountant with the help of the ACCA scheme. also income various exemptions from the ACCA tests by technique of being a qualified accounting technician.

Answer 4

Abslutely no idea but I can help you into the Insurance industry!