5 Supereasy Ways to Learn Everything About How to Get a Job in Finance With No Experience

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Finance is one of the most reliable industries—unless a full-blown apocalypse happens, you’ll never have any problem finding a job as a finance expert. But getting into finance, meaning landing your first job, requires some research. So check out these ways to learn everything you need to get into finance, even with no prior experience.

#1 Make Your LinkedIn Profile and Resume as Impressive as Possible

A job seeker’s LinkedIn profile and resume are the first things a recruiter or potential employer judges them based on. So unless you want to jeopardize your chances of getting a job, it’s a good idea to find a professional resume writing service and enlist its help. No matter how smart you are, no job seeker can write a resume or profile as perfectly as an expert.

You might be wondering what to put on your LinkedIn profile and resume if you have yet to gain experience in finance. But the thing is, employers who need to fill entry-level positions are often more interested in candidates’ skills (including those that have little to do with finance per se) and education than experience.

So think of every job you’ve had and courses or internships you’ve completed and find something about them that will come in handy in finance. For example, are you good with reporting? Have you had a chance to practice your managerial skills? Are you an analytical thinker? A professional resume writer will know how to turn any of those into your assets to help you get a finance job.

#2 Network on Social Media and LinkedIn

Once your LinkedIn profile and resume are done, it’s time to focus on learning about your options. And LinkedIn’s lead role in this is a surprise to no one. Thanks to professional connectivity, you can use LinkedIn to write to recruiters, hiring managers, and even finance workers with established careers to learn what you can hope for (and how to get it).

Social media are also helpful for learning about opportunities and simply networking. For example, you can find online platforms that post about the current affairs in the finance industry or even open internships and entry-level positions in top finance companies. Also, you can use social media to learn more about the companies you’re interested in. Remember—information is power.

It’s perfectly understandable if the idea of writing to people you don’t know first might intimidate you. But if you want to land your first finance job (or any other job, for that matter), you’ll need to overcome your fear. You can’t expect top companies to headhunt you until you become an expert with all the key skills, years of experience, and reputation.

#3 Use Platforms That Post Information About Internships

If you’re not yet familiar with the finance industry and don’t have a list of companies you’d like to intern and, eventually, work at, you can use the platforms that research for you. Articles with titles like “10 Finance Internships Opportunities Open Right Now” are quite common. You won’t have any problem finding them using search engines.

But sadly, not all of them are up-to-date and reliable. Job and internship seekers often complain that when they use such online lists and write to the companies to inquire about the openings, it turns out that the vacancy is already closed or wasn’t even opened in the first place. When this happens, some job seekers are upset and discouraged from further searching.

That’s why using only reliable platforms to find information about finance internships and job openings are important. Indeed is a good place to start. As a job board, it usually has up-to-date information, so the risk of being misled is minimal. 

#4 Make the Most of Traditional Employment Websites (job boards)

Employment websites (otherwise known as job boards) akin to Indeed or Monster are good for many things. Aside from lists of the best job openings in the industry, they post tons of interesting and helpful information in their blogs. For example, you can learn a lot about the current state of the labor market in the finance industry, find awesome tips for resume and LinkedIn profile writing, and so much more.

Most importantly, job seekers with enough time and patience can find fantastic job and internship openings using employment websites’ regular search. Sure, it’s all about LinkedIn now, and many recruiters think that job boards are outdated. But as finance is one of the more conservative industries, you still can find a job using an employment website.

#5 Complete a Finance Course and Get Certified

Finally, a good way to learn everything there is to know about career prospects and job opportunities in the finance industry is to complete an online course and get a finance certification. First, even if you have a relevant degree, it’s a good addition that all employers will appreciate. And for job seekers without a degree in finance, it’s a must.

Also, finance courses are a perfect place for networking. Some of them even promise to help all participants find their first jobs. But even if the one you’re interested in doesn’t, no problem. You’ll meet new people from the finance industry. So playing your cards right and networking actively might help you land your first finance job.

There are a lot of different finance courses out there and specific study documents to enhance your knowledge and skills, so it’s easy to find something that fits your career goals. Here are a few options to start your research with:

  • Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
  • Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC)
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA)

A crucial aspect of pursuing finance certifications is the preparation required for the corresponding exams. These certifications often necessitate thorough studying and focused effort to ensure success. For instance, according to Career Employer, you need to study for 4 weeks for the SIE Exam, which serves as a foundational exam for individuals entering the securities industry. This timeframe allows you to thoroughly grasp the concepts and principles required to excel in the finance industry. By dedicating focused study sessions and utilizing available resources such as practice exams, textbooks, and online materials, you can increase your chances of successfully passing the certification exams and demonstrating your proficiency in the field. Remember, preparation is key to unlocking a wealth of opportunities in the finance industry.

An Afterword

Getting your first job in finance isn’t as tricky as you probably think. But you need to mobilize all available resources, including LinkedIn, employment websites, and social media. Also, it never hurts to complete a finance course, and hiring a professional resume service never hurts to make a good impression on potential employers. But above everything, whichever job search route you choose, don’t hesitate to show initiative.