FINANCIAL SERVICES: SECTOR ESSENTIALS
DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET INTO THE FINANCE INDUSTRY Financial services extend numerous opportunities to think out of the box – but not many know that just getting into the sector itself is a chance for graduates to flex their creativity and create their own moments and prospects.
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hether you’re looking for a graduate job or an internship, the financial services industry is a competitive field. To that end, getting something outstanding on your resume may go a long way in helping you gain some prominence amid a sea of other applicants, even as you cultivate some experience and knowledge!
60 | gradsingapore Finance Career Guide 2022
Apply speculatively Smaller financial institutions, which typically specialise in actuarial works or insurance loss adjustments, generally don’t have structured graduate or internship programmes, so one way to ask about available positions is to speculatively send in your resume along with a cover letter. State who you are and what you’re looking for – such as shadowing or work experience – as well as your relevant experience and what skills you can lend the company. While you should mention why you chose that particular company, ensure your resume and cover letter are concise and to the point, as recruiters may not have the time to go through a protracted application. Moreover, remember to call the company ahead of submitting your application to ask who you should send and address it to – applications sent to a specific person tend to have a higher chance of being reviewed. There are numerous benefits to applying speculatively, such as potentially expanding your network, showing a prospective employer your genuine interest and getting the opportunity to develop your acumen in a specific area of the industry.
Attending a (virtual) career fair Career fairs give students and employers a platform to mingle and network, while also allowing students and graduates to take a good look at the diverse opportunities and positions available. However, due to the pandemic, educational institutes have moved onto virtual platforms to continue hosting fairs for prospective students. Attending a career fair will get you acquainted with recruiters and help you build your network – and will also show prospective employers your commitment to joining the industry.
Entrepreneurship Firms are always keeping an eye out for students with skills in entrepreneurship, and those who set up small businesses while in university usually end up impressing them. Although these ventures aren’t usually very big, they still show prospective employers commercial awareness, problem-solving and planning skills, business intellect and an ability to budget. Not only will running a small enterprise give you something interesting to talk about in interviews when you’re looking for a graduate job, but you’ll also be able to make some extra cash for yourself!
