Catarina Marques

TRAINEE OFFICER, FUNDS & INSTITUTIONAL IQ-EQ

What does a typical working day involve for you?

I work in the Funds segment at IQ-EQ and my day-to-day is so varied! My role involves a lot of admin, so I prioritise these tasks in the morning, e.g. replying to emails, taking minutes, and tracking the progress of projects on spreadsheets. It’s important to be organised for the day ahead. As a trainee, I have regular meetings with my team to prepare for client-facing situations to update them on the status of tasks and transactions. I also make a great cup of tea, so happily take on the tea duties!

How did you get your job?

I applied via LinkedIn in December 2019 for IQ-EQ Jersey’s Trainee Discovery Programme, which gives you experience across the world of finance by offering rotations between different departments. I was interviewed in January 2020 and offered the job at the beginning of February, so it was a quick process. After I accepted the offer, I met some of the trainees of the previous cohort who showed me around before my start in September.

What motivates you in this role?

Career progression motivates me the most. IQ-EQ has clear and achievable steps to progress through the ranks, with lots of opportunity to work outside your comfort zone to improve your skills. I like pushing my boundaries, and I’m surrounded by a team who cares about my achievements. Aside from that, I enjoy getting to know clients as it makes the work more interesting and immersive.

Are there any future skills you will need to learn for your role?

Further knowledge of the sector is essential for my role, and this can be gained from taking exams. I will need experience in communicating with external clients of senior leadership status to prepare for taking the lead on projects if I’m promoted to Officer. I will also need to learn how to properly delegate, so that if I lead a team in the future, I know I’ll do it well.

What are the three most important skills required for your role?

Resilience, because you need to recover quickly when you make mistakes and learn from them. It’s essential to be organised to manage workloads and prioritise tasks. Lastly, you should be adaptable, so you can open your mind to understanding new processes and tolerate any less-interesting but essential tasks that may be required of you.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career in your profession?

I’d recommend IQ-EQ’s Trainee Discovery Programme – it provides the perfect start for a career in finance, allowing you to experience different specialisms in the finance sector. Try different roles and figure out what’s right for you. If you throw yourself into the work and learn as much as possible, you’ll be rewarded. Also, there’s no such thing as a silly question!

Tell us a fun fact

Outside of work, my life pretty much revolves around my diabetic cat, Angelo.