How to Get a Higher-Paying Job in Finance

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who is sceptical about choosing a career in finance or looking for ways to get higher pay in finance; there are millions like you. The answer to your question is simple.

Let me explain.

It’s always about asking the right questions at the right time while making life decisions. This applies to every aspect of life, even when choosing a career path. There are two basic questions we should ask ourselves to get a clear understanding of what needs to be done.

The first question is, Where do I start?

The second question is, How do I start?

To find answers to the above questions, we should do in-depth research and look out for the best available resources. In this article, we will answer these questions and guide you through the exact steps to get a high-paying job in finance.

Where to Start?

In today’s fast-paced digital transformation, finding an exact way to start a finance career or even a one-stop solution that fits your needs can be quite overwhelming.

Let’s dive into the process,

Research

Start by doing intensive research about job roles in finance that are highly in demand, like private equity analyst, investment banker, CA, CFA, etc. Learn about the specifications of these roles and find out the relevant role that grabs your interest. Make sure to understand the investment, time, challenges, and efforts required for each position.

Taking small steps

If you’re not sure about the specific role in finance, taking small steps towards understanding the role and its benefits may help you make firm decisions. Taking a big leap and blindly enrolling in a programme by investing a bundle of cash is like gambling. You never know what the outcome will be. It involves risk that results in loss of time, money, and failure.

For this reason, online short-term finance courses are a great option.

Pursue short-term finance courses

Short-term finance courses are usually fast-paced and intensive, specifically designed to provide in-depth knowledge in a short period of time. The duration of an online short-term finance course is approximately 3 to 4 months; it varies depending on the topic and content of the course.

Below are the short-term finance courses you can pursue after 12th,

• Financial Management 101
• Financial Literacy Course
• Financial Modelling
• Chartered Wealth Manager (CWM)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Corporate Finance by Edx
• Accounting and Finance by Edx
• Introduction to Corporate Finance by Edx
• Finance for Everyone: Smart Tools for Decision Making by Edx

Shortlist courses

Let’s begin by shortlisting the courses that you think might be a great fit for you. In this process, you will likely get a course in which you’re confident enough to make every penny worth investing in.

How to Start?

Until now, we have figured out the approach to taking that first step towards getting a high-paying job in finance. Now, we will understand how to start and figure out the career prospects in which you’re interested.

Below are some of the career prospects after completing short term finance courses

• Personal Financial Planning
• Accountancy
• Business Finance
• Financial Institutions
• Portfolio Management
• Financial Research Analysis
• Financial Risk Management
• Financial Management 

Final Steps 

Get a relevant degree

It is critical to obtain a relevant degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field like B.com. It will help in building strong accounting and financial principles. Furthermore, you can increase your chances of making yourself eligible for a ‘high-paying’ role by obtaining a degree in MCom or MBA.

Upgrading skills and certification

Developing skills and obtaining relevant certifications will always make you stand out from other candidates. Skills like financial modelling, data analysis, and programming languages like Python or R are in high demand.

Build professional network 

Building a professional network is essential in order to be successful in the finance industry. You can start by attending webinars, industry events, seminars, and establishing a network on LinkedIn. This will help you get one step closer to achieving your dream job.

Build a industry standard resume

While creating a resume, make sure to create a simple yet compelling resume. Do not fall for fancy resume templates. Highlight your skills, relevant skills, achievements, and certifications. Mention your analytical and problem-solving skills. Make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

Ace the interview

Preparing for the interview is highly recommended if you aspire to receive a high paying offer letter from your dream employer. While preparing for the interview, always remember to do thorough research about the company, practise common interview questions, be confident, showcase your knowledge of finance, demonstrate willingness to work, and be eager to learn new things.

Continuous upskilling  

Once you’ve begun working at your desired job, keep learning new things. This will help you make your profile stronger, build better connections, improve your credibility, and increase your chances of getting an above-average salary hike. Also, you will face less competition and maintain an advantage over your competitors.

Conclusion

Now you have the step-by-step process to get a high-paying job in finance. But it’s essential to find the right opportunity that matches your skill set. It will help you find a workplace that you love, and you could use your skills in the right place.

Explore some of the best companies in financial services to identify which role suits you best. Don’t forget to check out the top workplace financial services awards to see which finance companies are rated highest by their employees.

Follow the above process and skyrocket your career in finance!

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