To the outside world, you work in financial services. You deal with facts and figures. A little geeky maybe?
On the contrary! To be a champion in finance you know that, no matter which sector you work in, it’s your analytical mind and go-get-em soft skills that make you a title contender.
Don’t be fooled by the name: those soft skills can be very hard to master but are always worth developing, if you want to be a knockout in finance.
So here are four you should always have in your corner of the ring.
Attention to detail
Finance professionals handle customer portfolios, large and small, and all contain confidential personal data or commercially sensitive information.
This means you must have meticulous organisational skills for recording and storing information safely.
Working as a bank teller? A single decimal point error in the recording of information could prove costly.
The nature of finance work is precise and so your approach must be thorough. If you’re a stickler for detail, this could be the career for you.
Communication skills
While you may be passionate about your job, your average Joe or Jane is likely to be baffled or indifferent to the finer details of finance.
If you’re a financial advisor, for example, the ability to explain complex numbers and analysis of projected outcomes in a straightforward and engaging way is essential.
The more enthusiasm you bring to the table, the more engaged your client will be – and the more likely you’ll secure the best portfolio for their needs.
Listening skills
The other side of being a great communicator is being able to listen effectively. A seasoned professional knows to spend just as much time in “receive” mode as in “transmit”.
Before you can start recommending financial investment options, you need to identify exactly what a person needs and what’s less important to them. This can save misunderstandings further down the line.
Also, if a client feels you’re suggesting a product that doesn’t tally with their expectations, they might seek advice elsewhere.
Adaptability
Finance is a dynamic world. No sooner are you up to speed and boxing clever with all the latest products, legalities and geopolitical factors influencing the market, then everything changes.
To thrive in this world, you have to relish the fact it’s constantly changing and enjoy the challenge of keeping up.
Think you’re soft enough? Come ahead then . . . and find a fab Financial Services role with s1jobs!