Considering a New Career Path? Why Not Financial Services? Part 2

One of the biggest worries when looking for a job in a new industry is not feeling qualified or lacking the experience necessary. However, you might find that your skill set might still work for financial services. Hiring managers often look “out of the box” for candidates.

What does Ambassador look for when hiring?

The Ambassador Advisors hiring team looks for experience and educational background in the field—but also a step further. Hiring manager, Amy Malay, said, “I look for people with strong communication skills, detail-oriented, and client-focused. Many people who end up working here have teaching or communication backgrounds. Some have medical backgrounds in office support. Others have worked in real estate.”

Human resources team member Keri Raugh agrees, indicating that “prior office experience, familiarity with technology programs, and attention to detail on application materials are key indicators of a promising candidate. Even if you don’t have directly applicable experience or education, note other areas you have worked in, even in a volunteer capacity, that could relate to the position.”

Many people do not apply for a job if they do not have the exact career type or educational background that “fits the bill.” It’s a shame because they could miss out on their perfect fit. For example, someone whose work history has been in food services might not feel qualified. However, if they manage staff, order supplies, or schedule employees for shifts, they may have the skills needed to succeed in Financial Services.

Bernie Bostwick, President of Ambassador Advisors, says advisors need to have honesty, integrity, transparency, and relatability. A financial advisor is someone who must be able to put their clients at ease to build a strong relationship with trust as a foundation. When meeting with potential new advisors, Bernie often looks for a certain level of tenacity. An advisor deals with the financial market, which has its ups and downs, therefore, Bernie looks at the ups and downs an advisor has gone through on a personal level. How did they weather their storms? However, the most important aspect that Bernie hopes for is that they have a “serious love for Jesus Christ.” Many clients want to know that their advisor aligns with their values to offer our unique biblical financial stewardship model when dealing with their personal finances.

Make sure also to include things that you do in your spare time. This detail might not seem important because it isn’t a job, per se, but adding these things looks good to hiring managers. Interested applicants should add a cover letter or section in their resume discussing their time out of the office. What do they like to do in their spare time? What volunteer activities do they do? That sort of thing gives an insight into the whole person. If you are professionally presented, have a pleasant personality, are “equally yoked” in principles, are willing to serve, want to learn and grow, and are flexible with a fast-paced career, Financial Services might be for you.

One of the most significant issues that the hiring managers see is a resume that is not polished. Keri says that “a resume will likely not be considered if it is full of errors or just not professional looking. Several online templates are available to help guide you through creating a resume.” Remember, the resume and cover letter are the first things that hiring managers see. You want to put your best foot forward and land that job!

Before applying for a job, think carefully about the skills you have gained from your current and previous employment. Then, include those skills in your resume and cover letter. You never know what can come, but you’ll never get that job if you don’t try.

Finally, check out if a career in financial services is right for you and what others had to say about their switch to a new job!

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