Introduction
The jobs market is accelerating right now, and jobs in the finance industry are some that are seeing unprecedented growth. Jobs in finance offer high pay and many opportunities for career advancement, especially for recent graduates. The finance industry is very broad with many different specialties. There are jobs for anyone who has received a finance degree. All you have to do is research the different finance jobs, find the ones that best suit you, and properly prepare for your interviews.
How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?
The finance industry is one of the most popular industries for students graduating with Finance Degrees. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, an average of 39% of business school students are interested in a job in the finance industry when they graduate. The question they often ask is if there is going to be enough jobs.
Luckily for graduates looking for jobs in the finance industry, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that jobs in the finance industry are rapidly growing. Business jobs and jobs in financial careers are expected to grow 5% on average by 2029, which will add around 476,200 new jobs to the field.
Best Finance Jobs
Jobs in the financial industry typically offer stability, good pay, and nice benefits. As previously mentioned, jobs in the business and financial sectors are predicted to grow 5% by 2029. Because the finance industry is broad, there are jobs that are increasingly out-pacing others in growth.
Jobs as Financial Managers have the highest growth expectancy of 15% by the year 2029. Financial managers help businesses develop plans for their long-term goals by creating financial reports and being involved in investment activities. They work 40-hour weeks in banks, investment firms, and even insurance companies. The annual salary is $134,180/year and requires a Bachelor’s degree in finance.
Jobs as Management Analysts have the second highest growth expectancy of 11% by the year 2029. Management analysts are in charge of maintaining and improving a business’s financial efficiency. Management analysts typically work 40-hour weeks, and spend a lot of time traveling to meet with clients. The annual salary is $87,660/year and requires at least a Bachelor’s degree in finance.
Jobs as Financial Examiners have the third highest growth expectancy at of 7% by the year 2029. Financial examiners work closely to keep the ties between a company’s finances and the law faultless. They ensure legal compliance in financial operations. Most jobs as a financial examiner are in government, but there are some available jobs in the insurance industry. The annual salary is $81,430/year and requires a Bachelor’s degree in finance.
What do Finance Jobs Pay in 2021
The median pay for jobs in the finance industry tops other industries by almost $30,000. According to BSL, the median annual wage for business and financial jobs was $72,250 in May 2020. Meanwhile, the median annual wage for all other jobs and occupations was $41,950.
Remote Finance Jobs
In 2020, freelancers and remote workers contributed 1.2 trillion dollars to the US economy. According to JobSearcher, freelancing and remote jobs are becoming a large part of the US economy. Since the beginning of the pandemic, remote jobs in the accounting and finance industries are on the rise. With a remote finance job, you have the opportunity to look for professional opportunities near you or in other US locations.
To obtain a remote job in finance, it will largely depend on two things while you are searching on a job site. One is the industry you want to work in. If you have a finance job for a bank, then you will likely have to go into work. On the other hand, if you have a finance job for a technology company, then you may have the option to work from home more often. The other thing that could determine whether you work a remote job or not is the company. When job searching, look for companies that offer remote jobs and descriptions that say “flexible work environment”.
Where to Find Finance Jobs
The best way to find a finance job is to build an extensive and reliable network while pursuing your finance degree. If you have a strong network, then it puts you in a better position to find a finance job or internship when you graduate.
Aside from building a strong network, many people find jobs through job board websites. Job board websites are specifically designed to connect job searchers with employers through optimized job search engines. There are general job board websites, and there are finance-specific job board websites.
Finance Job Boards:
World Finance Network - Focuses on helping accounting and finance professionals grow their network in the industry and find finance jobs
eFinancialCareers - The World’s leading financial services careers website provides industry insights, industry news, and a finance job search
Us.job - This is a government site to help you get a job at the state or federal level. If you want a finance job in government, this is a good place to look
FinancialJobBank - This site offers a large database where job searchers can find finance jobs with companies in many different industries.
If you aren’t having luck on finance-specific sites, then there are more general sites you can search for a finance job such as:
Job Searcher
LinkedIn
Indeed
Google Jobs
What Jobs Can You Get With A Finance Degree
The world of finance, like other industries, has different levels of finance degrees. You can get a Bachelor’s in Finance degree, an MBA, or a Doctorate in Finance degree. Each level of education could unlock new opportunities in the finance industry.
If you have just graduated, then good entry-level jobs for your finance degree would be:
Credit analyst
Entry level accountant
Junior tax associate
Financial auditor
Excluding the Best Finance Jobs previously mentioned, other great jobs you can get with a finance degree are:
Financial analyst
Investment advisor
Personal financial advisor
Bookkeeper
Financial planner
Insurance underwriter
Budget analyst
Tax examiner
Step 1: Determine the Right Specialty For You
There are many specializations for your finance degree including financial management, international finance, behavioral finance, capital markets, and many more. Because finance can be so broad for someone with a finance degree, choosing a specialty will rely heavily on your personality, passions, and abilities.
There will be some trial and error through internships and new jobs. At the end of the day, the specialization you choose should be centered around what you are good at and what you enjoy doing because many careers in finance are demanding.
Step 2: Write a Resume
Writing a resume to get a finance job or internship is very similar to writing a resume for any other job. Not only will you need a neat and modern format, but you will need to include:
A short summary statement
Your most relevant experience in reverse chronological order
Your skills/core competencies
Short company description for each company or hyperlink to the company’s website
Your top measurable achievements
Keywords from the job description
Step 3: Take Advantage of Job Search Sites
Job Search sites, such as the ones in “Where to Find Finance Jobs” are key to finding a finance job listing. Many people don’t have an extensive network in the finance industry so turning to these job searching sites is beneficial. They will help you see a wide array of finance jobs and give you an opportunity to find companies you might want to work for.
Step 4: Share your Resume
One of the best ways to share your resume is through social media networking. Almost everyone in the world has social media. Sites such as LinkedIn, Introview, and Facebook are prime social media sites to share your digital or video finance resume.
You never know when you’ll create a network connection on your social media. All it takes it one post, one reply, or one retweet. So it is important to ensure that you can access your resume by phone and by computer.
Step 5: Prepare for the Interview
After you apply to job postings, interview preparation then becomes just as important as the actual interview.
Why that job?
Ask yourself why you want THIS job. Not only could it turn up as an interview question, but it is also important for you to know why this job is perfect for you. It could be because you are passionate about the job, the job description matches your competencies, or you have experience in this job title.
Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Almost every interview question ends with “Do you have any questions for me?” Do not say no. Prepare questions that could start a relevant conversation or help you gain clarity.
If you research the company or interviewer, then you should be able to think of at least one question to ask. You could also ask a question related to the job description and how you would fit into the company.
Research the Company
Be sure to research the company so you have background knowledge of who is interviewing you. Three ways to perform brief company research is:
Check out the company’s “About” page
Research the role you are applying to – Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who have previously worked that position at that company
Research the person who will be interviewing you – This will give you background information into the person you are being interviewed by, and may give you insight on what questions to ask
Do you have the Directions?
Though many interviews have gone virtual, there are still companies and major corporations that do in-person interviews. If you have an in-person interview, be sure to get the directions to the place in advance. You don’t want getting lost to be the reason you are late.
Practice Answers to Interview Questions
If you practice answers to common interview questions, then you have a greater opportunity at being more at ease and confident during your interview. Find someone to practice your answers with or practice your answers in the mirror.
Are you the one?
Interviewers may ask why they should choose you for the job. Before your interview, think of 3 ways you could immediately make an impact in your role. Be sure to include your past experiences and measurable results as evidence of your claims.
Conclusion
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is predicting steady growth for the finance industry. As finance jobs are on the rise, people with finance degrees must be ready to seize opportunities when they present themselves. The best way to do that is by doing their research early, finding a specialty to pursue, and properly preparing for their job interviews.
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