This article discusses:
- Getting your foot in the door: CV/resume and cover letter
- Putting yourself out there
- Get online
- Prioritise learning
- Experience is key
- Prepare to succeed
Finding the right job is difficult. The Fintech job market is fiercely competitive, and trying to stand out from other candidates and get the attention of employers can be overwhelming and frustrating.
That’s why we’ve asked one of our career experts, Aliza Dodge, to put together some tips to help you find the job you want.
Getting your foot in the door: CV/resumes and cover letters
Your resume/CV and cover letter are the first things potential employers will see. If you don’t make a great impression here, your application will be on a one-way trip to the bin. Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Create an outstanding CV/resume
Make sure that you highlight your skills, experiences, qualifications and achievements concisely and simply. Hiring managers don’t want to read through reams of text to get to the good stuff; make it easy for them with clearly a laid out, to-the-point document.
Make sure you tailor your CV/resume to each application too. Focus on the parts of your experience that are most relevant to the role and make sure you tick off any requirements in the job description.
The perfect cover letter
If the resume/CV is all about you, the cover letter is all about why you’re right for the job. That means explaining why your experiences and qualifications make you the best fit for the role. It also needs to showcase your enthusiasm for the job and demonstrate a deep understanding of the company (you’ll need to do your research!).
Put yourself out there
Networking is powerful and can significantly influence your job search outcome. Reach out to friends, colleagues and industry professionals. Get to as many relevant events and careers fairs as you can, and chat with everybody. Remember, networking is about building genuine connections. That means having meaningful conversations, asking for advice and doing whatever you can to help other people too. You never know when these relationships could lead to new opportunities.
Get online
Having a good online presence is vital. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and shows off your professional skills, accomplishments and aspirations. But it’s no use just having a profile – you need to be active too. Post regularly, connect with people in your field, engage in discussions and share industry-relevant content.
Creating a compelling online personal brand helps to get you noticed by hiring managers and boost your credibility too. Just remember that LinkedIn is a professional platform – it’s fine to showcase your personality in your posts but keep it business-adjacent.
It’s worth checking out any other social media profiles you have too and making sure there’s nothing on there that you wouldn’t want prospective employers to see.
Always learning
Employers love to see evidence of continuous learning and skill development. Be proactive – identify areas where you can enhance your expertise and acquire new skills that will help you in the roles you want. Make the most of online courses and workshops, and take the opportunity to work towards industry certifications whenever you can.
Be sure to stay on top of the latest industry trends too. Make it part of your daily routine to check well-regarded news websites, sign up for relevant email newsletters and follow industry voices on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Experience is key
If you’re struggling to find a full-time position in your field of interest, consider volunteering or taking on freelance projects. These opportunities provide valuable experience and chance to expand your professional network. They also demonstrate to potential employers that you’re proactive, dedicated and have a great work ethic.
Make sure you make note of them on your CV. Talking about your experiences on LinkedIn can be a great way to build connections too.
Prepare to succeed
When it comes to interviewing, preparation is vital. Make sure you thoroughly research the company, its culture, and the specific role you’re applying for. Then practice answering common interview questions in a way that highlights why your skills and experiences make you perfect for the job. Prepare some great questions to ask the interviewer, too, that showcase that you’ve done your research and understand the company and its ethics.
Through the interview, it’s important to convey your enthusiasm both for the company and for the role you’re being interviewed for. You also need to get across how passionate and dedicated you are to your chosen field.
After each interview, send a personalised thank you message to the interviewer. This follow-up gesture demonstrates professionalism and appreciation, and reminds the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
If you want more insight into how to perform your best in an interview, check out our top interview tips article. If you’re attending a video interview, there are a few other things you need to consider, like what to wear and where to take the call. We’ve put together some handy hints and tips to help you shine in video interviews.
Stand out in a competitive market
While there’s no getting away from the fact that job searching is hard, using these strategies can really help you to stand out in a highly competitive market. If you’d like to have a chat about differentiating yourself from the competition, drop Aliza an email.
faq's
To tailor a CV/resume effectively, beyond highlighting relevant experiences, candidates can focus on customising their skills and achievements section to align with the specific job requirements. Additionally, they can emphasise their accomplishments using quantifiable metrics and demonstrate a clear understanding of the company’s goals and values through targeted language in their resume.
Initiating and maintaining genuine connections in networking involves engaging in meaningful conversations, seeking advice, and offering assistance to others in the industry. This can be achieved by attending relevant events and career fairs, participating in professional groups or forums, and leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the field.
Besides online courses and workshops, individuals can continuously enhance their skills and stay updated on industry trends by participating in webinars, attending conferences and seminars, reading industry publications and blogs, and joining relevant online communities or discussion groups. Additionally, seeking mentorship opportunities or volunteering for projects can provide valuable hands-on experience and insights into emerging trends in fintech.
