Finance roles in 2017 – tips for a successful job search

Finance roles in 2017

In this candidate-short market, finance professionals currently seeking new career opportunities are in a strong position. Organisations are increasing their headcount and part-qualified finance professionals are in high demand. With salaries appearing to be increasing, alongside packages for study support and other additional benefits, it is a great time for job seekers to be in the market for a new role.

Preparing for a job search

When beginning your job search, you should always take time to reflect on exactly what you want from your next role. This is an important aspect of your job searching process. You want to ensure that your values and personality align with that of your new potential employer, so that you fit well into the organisation and are happy in your new position. Things to consider include the role itself and the duties it would entail, progression opportunities for you, the organisation’s background, their future plans and the company values and culture. If for example, your reason for leaving is a lack of progression in your current role, make sure any future roles you consider provide opportunities to develop your career further.
Ask yourself – “What do I excel in?  Where do I want the role to take me career-wise? What are my main achievements and am I prepared to build my reputation in a new organisation as I have already done in my current role?”

Finance CVs

When you do apply for a role, your CV will be scanned for the right kind of experience. It is important to ensure your experience comes across as consistent and relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be clear where you added value and highlight your key achievements. 
It’s not enough to just sell yourself as an experienced finance professional. Be sure to include the key skills that you will bring to the role, any special projects you have been a part of, areas in the business where you have made a positive impact and any awards or promotions you have received for the work you have done.

Interviews

When you get to the interview stage of an application, preparation is key to success. Ensure you research the company, and if you can, find out some information about the interviewer, this can also help.  LinkedIn is a good platform to learn more about the company and to find some background information on your interviewer.
Be prepared for a number of different questions to be fired at you.  You should expect to be asked variations of some of the below questions.
  1. Why do you want to work here?
  2. What did you like/dislike about your last job?
  3. What would you like to be doing five years from now?
  4. What are your biggest accomplishments?
  5. How do you work under pressure?
  6. Why should I hire you?
  7. How do you take direction?
  8. Tell me about yourself?
  9. What is the most difficult situation you have faced?
  10. Do you prefer working with others or do you prefer working alone?
Being well informed about the company will not only give you insight into whether the position is right for you, but it will also equip you with the knowledge to ask the interviewer insightful questions about the role and business.
Some suggestions of the type of questions you could consider asking, if they haven’t already been covered in the interview, include the below examples.
The role
  1. What are the main responsibilities of the role?
  2. What is the reason for the vacancy?
  3. What I.T systems do you use?
  4. How many people work in the team?
  5. What about yourself, John Smith, how long have you been with Company ABC?
     

The company

  1. What is the organisational culture like? 
  2. Are there other offices situated across the country?
  3. Who are your main competitors?
  4. I am aware you have quite a large customer base, who are your main customers? 
  5. Where do you see company ABC in the next five years and are there any expansion plans forecast?

Career changes 

Quite often in a candidate-short market, a counter-offer will be made by existing employees as a final bid to retain their talent. When you find a new position and resign, your current employer may match or better the offer to entice you to stay. Recruitment is an expensive and time-sapping necessity, so anything an employer can do to prevent this, they will. Alongside this, with the job market being so candidate driven, companies are also trying to keep hold of their best employees. It’s important that as a job seeker in the current market, you understand counter-offers and their implications.  
It’s important to take the time to compare your options, weigh up the new internal offer as thoroughly as you did the external option. Consider which role makes the best use of your skills and will develop your career in the direction you’d like to take it. Ask yourself how you feel about each business and your existing and potential new manager. Which offers the best financial reward in conjunction with the other opportunities on offer?  What were the main reasons for leaving and will a simple pay rise fix this?
In most cases, counter-offers are rarely the answer. A majority of people who accept one find themselves looking for a new job a few months later, when the situation that caused them to explore the market still hasn’t been resolved.

Start your search today

At present, the finance market is particularly buoyant at all levels, from entry level upwards, and skilled finance professionals are in high demand.  Page Personnel have an abundance of roles available for all levels and we are always keen to speak to those looking for new opportunities or advice on the marketplace. If you are currently looking for a role in finance or would like to discuss any opportunities, please get in touch.
Chris Crawford
M: +44 7810871790