5 Financial Skills for Your Resume
Most movies would have us convinced that a career in finance exists in a glamorous, high-stakes world populated by men in expensive watches surrounded by computer screens and piles of stock ticker tape, screaming “buy!” and “sell”!
Don’t believe everything you see. While some sectors of finance are more volatile than others, the finance industry is much more likely to consist of a significantly more sedate constellation of professionals like financial examiners, auditors, analysts, and financial planners.
Finance is still a diverse, fast-growing sector and salaries are higher than the national average, making it an attractive career path for people with the right skills, education, and experience.
Start Your Career in Finance
To start a career in finance, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or a related discipline designed to give you a solid knowledge base of modern business principles like marketing, the global economy, accounting, communication, and of course, finance.
Finance industry hopefuls with a range of academic credentials can break into the field. You don’t even have to be a stock market wizard. The finance industry needs a variety of specialties to thrive, but there are several skills you should think about adding to your resume that will give you an advantage when you’re getting started in a competitive job market.
Financial Skills Employers Want to See on Your Resume
It may surprise you that some of the skills that really make a difference to employers aren’t tied to specific financial ability. That’s because more than anything, employers are looking for people who are adaptable, forward thinking, and effective communicators, and having the following five skills on your resume will take you far.
- Accounting Basics
- Strategic Planning
- Communication
- Ethics
- Technology
Knowing your way around basic financial information is at the top of the list for employees. Even if you don’t have accounting-heavy job responsibilities, familiarity with financial statements, financial rules and regulations, reporting, and budget management is key for understanding a company’s financial past, present, and future.
One of the most important aspects of a company’s financial health plan is its ability to forecast what’s coming next. Having the skills to use data, analyze challenges, and then apply what you discover to synthesize strategic plans is highly prized.
Communications skills are a must-have for any industry, but in the financial sector, you’re often called to quickly explain complicated data and plans to lay people or others in your organization who rely on your analysis to make decisions. Good communication also goes hand in hand with other related skills such as effective collaboration and leadership ability, both traits that will help you advance in your career.
Positions in finance often involve the handling of sensitive and confidential information. Knowing how to use that information in an ethical manner is important in building trust, avoiding conflicts of interest, and steering clear of legal pitfalls.
The world of finance is dynamic and globally connected. Professionals need to rely on digital tools to keep up. Showing you have familiarity with some financial management planning or modeling software can help your resume stand out and show employers that you’re comfortable with the more technical side of finance./p>
