The Finance Whisperer

How to Advance Your Career in Your Twenties

As is common with many young professionals, you may not have begun your career exactly where you wanted to; however, that doesn’t mean that you should associate age with career success and advancement.  As a recent college graduate, you must proactively seek out ways to learn and grow.  In a recent Forbes article, Frances Bridges, highlights the first steps to career success.

1. Market Yourself

You are your biggest advocate and you must showcase your skill set and knowledge when speaking with the recruiter.  Highlight important sections of your resume and be prepared to share an anecdote from work or daily life which displays how you will be a good fit for the role and the company.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

To grow, it is necessary to ask questions.  Ask questions of not only your peers, but also those higher up on the corporate ladder.  Gaining outside insight will help you to increase your knowledge and open your mind to varying worldviews.  It is also a great way to build your network.

3. Focus

Decide what you want to do, such as start a blog, master a new language, or learn SQL, and go for it.  Avoid distractions and carve out some time each day to devote to your goal.  Your dedication will be worth it in the end.

4. Share Your Ideas

If you have an idea that could benefit your company, make sure to share it with your manager or another superior.  Whether you have thought of a new way to increase the efficiency of your team, or a new way to market your product to additional audiences, your manager will appreciate your drive, leadership, and your ability to think outside of the box. 

5. Have a Strong Support Group

Accomplishing your goals and getting ahead are not always easy tasks.  When the going gets tough, it is always great to have a strong support system behind you who encourages you and believes in you even on your worst days.  Look to your family, friends, mentors, and peers for this support.

Even in your twenties, you can get ahead in the business world.  Success may not occur over night, but these steps can serve as a guide on your path to accomplishing your career goals.

Job Interview Advice from Recruiters

No matter if you’re an intern or a vice president and no matter how many job interviews you’ve been through, it’s always a challenge to determine what exactly a recruiter looks for in an interviewee.  What they look for can then vary across both companies and industries.  To help bridge this disconnect, Caroline Ceniza-Levine, in a recent Forbes article, turned the tables and interviewed recruiters from various companies, Fortune 500 to non-profit, to determine the expectations of job recruiters across all industries.  Fortunately, despite the varying industries that they recruit for, recruiters share similar words of wisdom that can be helpful for a business professional in any position or sector.

1. Pay Attention to How You Position Yourself

Make sure that when you are conveying yourself as a go-getter and someone who surpasses the competition, you are not qualifying yourself as a person who is difficult to work with.  It is just as important to be a team player as it is to be a leader and while recruiters want a motivated and determined employee, they do not want someone who can’t work well with others. 

2. Eliminate Roadblocks to Communication

Even if you have already had contact with the recruiter and they have access to your resume, make sure to still include your phone number at the bottom of your e-mails.  You want to make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to get in touch with you. 

3. Research the Company

Prior to your interview, you should have a solid understanding of the company and its goals and culture, as well as knowledge of the executive team and the person interviewing you.  Take a look at the company Web site, review recent press articles, and perform a general internet search.  It will not only give you a more well-rounded understanding of the position, but the recruiter will also be impressed with your overall knowledge of the company.  Not to mention, it can also allow for a much more intriguing conversation during the interview.

4. Be Professional in Your Correspondences

Make sure that your e-mail address is professional and recognizable.  Use a common URL such as Gmail and some form of your name.  Avoid e-mail addresses that use your nickname.  Also, do not text the recruiter.  Texts are viewed as a less formal means of communication so avoid texting unless the recruiter initiates it.

5. Make Sure Your Social Networks are Business Ready

Social media is a huge part of everyday life and recruiters will look for you on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, to evaluate your personality and professionalism.  To prepare for this evaluation, make sure all of your pictures, phrases, and links are work appropriate.

Although job interviews are rarely labeled as easy, using this advice from recruiters will allow you to be one step ahead in the job seeking process.  Best of luck! 

6 Classes Every College Student Should Take to Get a Job

The fall season is upon us and classes are back in session.  With the current fluctuating state of the economy, college students more than ever are wondering: what can I do to make myself more employable?  In a recent Forbes article, Bill Conerly, indicates that there are 6 classes that can better prepare a college student for the working world and job interviews.  Despite your major, these classes will help you to better understand finances, networking, and real life situations.

Economics

By taking an introductory economics course or a class focused on microeconomics (focusing on an individual family or firm and their decisions), students will be able to gain a better grasp of prices, quantity, demand, allocation, and value.  If you would like to delve further into economics, you can follow this with a class in macroeconomics, which studies the decisions made by the economy as a whole.

Statistics

Statistics takes a closer look at data.  It includes collecting data, sorting it, and interpreting the results.  It will give you a better understanding of different variables and their relationships to each other.

Computer Programming

Take an introductory course that teaches you skills such as Java, Python, C-, and C++.  Computer programming tells the computer how to carry out various instructions.  By acquiring this skill set, you are learning how to read, design, and write coding for computers.  It is a skill that is highly sought after by employers and can be valuable for various lines of work.

Calculus

Calculus is a form of mathematics that focuses on change in terms of derivates, limits, the rate of change, etc.  It is a helpful skill in making accurate future estimates.  Calculus is often the prerequisite for higher level courses in mathematics, economics, engineering, and science.

Communications

Communications is an essential class that teaches the skills necessary for interacting and networking in the business world.  Although some students will begin this class with a strong background in the skills required, taking this course in college helps to further refine your ability to give eloquent speeches, to summarize lectures, and to write essays with correct grammar and punctuation.

Financial Planning & Management

This class teaches the basics of accounting as well as the ability to predict revenues and costs, often using Excel.  Sometimes this course will be found on its own, while other times it can be found as a chapter within a business class.  Either way, it teaches a crucial skill set that is helpful in making smarter financial decisions in the future.   

These courses will help you to acquire a ground work of skills that many others will not attain until they begin their first jobs.  Although we currently live in a tough economy, by taking these classes, you are gaining an advantage over the competition as you enter the job market.  Best of luck in your future career!

4 Unexpected Categories to Strengthen Your Resume

As expected, work experience and education are the go-to categories to include on your resume.  They display your skill set, knowledge, and capabilities.  However, you are not limited to just these two categories.  You can include additional topics to re-enforce your qualifications, and showcase your interests and personality.  This can help you to bolster your resume, make it more appealing to recruiters, and set it apart from the hundreds of resumes that recruiters sort through on a regular basis.  In a Forbes article, Ashley Faus, highlights which additional areas to include:

1. Community Service

Whether you are working at your local church or dedicating time to tutor less fortunate children, volunteerism is a great display of both your management and organizational skills.  You may have to supervise a group, organize activities, or even balance the books, which all demonstrate your leadership abilities and overall competency.  Additionally, as with any full-time job, long periods of volunteering show your motivation and your commitment to a long-term goal.  Be sure to list your accomplishments and the knowledge you acquired from the experience.

2. Hobbies (That Apply to Your Career)

Be sure to include a few hobbies that are applicable to your career.  For example, if you are applying to jobs in finance and you have experience managing your own stock portfolio, include this in your resume.  Or, if you are applying to jobs in software development and you have experience computer programming, include it.  This will display your ingenuity and your drive to succeed.

3. Life Experiences

A few examples of life experiences to include are studying abroad, learning a new language, or writing a blog.  Participating in these activities outside of work are additional ways for you the build your skill set and broaden your worldview.  Be sure to list the expertise you attained during the experience including: languages, software, and technical skills.  Recruiters will be pleased to see that you are a motivated individual who has taken it upon yourself to try something new and to expand your knowledge.

4. Areas of Interest

Including a few areas of interests such as a sports league you are part of or non-profit you are passionate about, is a great way for recruiters to determine your personality and to see if you would be a good overall fit for the company and its culture.  While building your resume, research the company to see if any of your interests match those of the company, and include those.  Your interests show your initiative outside of the office and they can also be great talking points during your interview.    

Including these additional categories helps the recruiter to see you outside of the usual rigidity of a resume.  It will set you apart from your competitors and it will also allow you to further showcase your abilities and expertise.  Best of luck!

A Key to Career Success: Responsiveness

Professionals often search for ways to develop their careers, succeed, and get ahead.  They network, take on additional tasks, and find ways to enhance their skill set, but a key career development component that can sometimes be overlooked, is responsiveness.  In a recent Forbes article, Sherri Edwards, indicates that professionals need to display their efficiency and responsiveness when completing tasks and ameliorating unexpected circumstances.  Management seeks people who can think quickly on their feet and those who can quickly accomplish the task with poise and maturity.  Age is not a factor in this expectation.  Although youth is often associated with open-mindedness and responsiveness, experience and development can also contribute to a swift reaction time.  Edwards highlights that responsiveness is a skill that can be and should be displayed in daily duties and interactions.  It is also very evident when it is not displayed.  To ensure responsiveness, Edwards provides us with a few tips to keep in mind.

• Reply quickly and efficiently to e-mails and voicemails. 
• To ensure targets and deadlines are met, follow-up to requests, inquiries, and previous conversations.
• Remain open-minded and be willing to review occurrences from a varying perspective.
• Manage your time well.
• Organize your thoughts and goals prior to meetings.
• If you foresee a problem or complication, take steps to avoid it immediately.
• Do not procrastinate.
• Instead of relying on others, take it upon yourself to find a solution.

Responsiveness, although not always spoken of, is an important component in advancing your career.  Use these tips as a guide to increase your responsiveness and get ahead in your profession.  Good luck!

How to Conquer Job Interview Nerves

You’ve researched, you’ve networked, and now you have applied to the job.  You’ve taken all of the necessary steps and now the big job interview day is approaching.  You should be excited but with big life-changing events, comes an even bigger set of nerves.  In a recent U.S. News & World Report article, Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, provides you with some helpful hints to calm the job interview nerves.

1. They’ve Already Shown an Interest in You

You’ve already overcome one of the biggest hurdles; they liked your resume which means they already think that you could be a good fit for the job.  You are no longer an unknown to them.  You can now take this time to further promote yourself and your capabilities.

2. Rest Up

Getting rest before the interview can make you more alert and responsive to whatever questions they throw your way.  By getting a full night’s sleep, you are more likely to put your best foot forward during the interview.

3. Practice

Barrett-Poindexter highlights that there are common questions that are asked in most interviews such as “name your biggest accomplishment,” or “describe a mistake you made and how you learned from it.”  Since these are common questions, be one step ahead, and practice your responses before your interview.  It is helpful if your responses show how you will be an asset to the company. 

4. Promote Your Abilities

Take this opportunity to display your abilities and skill set to the interviewer.  Have anecdotes available to describe times when you used your aptitude to accomplish a task or solve a problem.  These stories can also show how you will fit into the culture of the company.

5. Eat Breakfast

Eat breakfast or a meal before the interview.  Instead of paying attention to a hungry stomach, you will be more attentive to the interview at hand and you will be able to perform better.

6. Be Prepared

Prior to the interview day, pick your outfit, figure out the directions to the interview site, and sort out last minute details.  This way you will not be overwhelmed with unnecessary tasks on the big day.

7. Arrive Early

Show up to your interview at least 15 minutes early.  This will give you the opportunity to get your things in order, take a deep breath, and relax before the interviewer calls you in.

Use these steps to guide you in your interview preparation.  They will help you to feel ready and relaxed for the big day.  Best of luck!

The New Top Job: Financial Advisor

As the economy fluctuates and young professionals are unsure about the security of their current jobs, there is a job that is being labeled as one of the most stable and significant careers in the finance space: the financial advisor.  In a recent Forbes article, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the growth rate of financial advisors is expected to reach 32% in the next ten years.  This is exceedingly higher than the growth rate of all other careers: 14%.  Additionally, a financial advisor’s salary could quadruple from the $64,750 median salary recorded in May 2010.

To add on to this positive news, the average age of a financial advisor is currently 50 years old.  As they look to retire, young professionals are sought after to take their places.  Cerulli Associates accentuates the need for a new generation of financial advisors when they recorded that out of the 316,000 financial advisors currently within the U.S., only 5% are younger than 30 years old.  With these factors in your favor, Danny Sarch, a Wall Street Recruiter, calls it one of “the most secure jobs in the world.”  Financial advisors come from varying backgrounds, so if you have a bachelor’s degree under your belt and an acclimation to learn something new, this could be a great career move!

 

Your Internship Can Turn Into a Job

As college graduates struggle to find jobs, it is a reassuring metric that 60% of paid internships result in job offers, as reported in a recent Forbes article (unpaid internships had a lower conversion rate of 37%).  The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) conducted the study which surveyed 15,715 college seniors from January 2012 through April 2012.  According to the study, paid internships involve a substantial amount of professional experience which causes the company to become more invested in your performance and growth.  The survey reported that paid interns typically spend 42% of their time helping with analysis and project management, while unpaid interns perform these tasks only 30% of the time.  Whichever type of internship you are involved in, internships can be a great launch pad for your future career and it is important to make a good impression.  Forbes provides us with some advice:

1. Research the Internship

Search online and if possible, talk to others that have had the internship in the past.  You want an internship that has a lot of hands-on experience allowing for your professional growth.

2. Be Professional

Be respectful, pay attention to dress code, and follow appropriate office hours.  By being mindful of company culture, you appear as a mature individual that is ready to commit to a full-time job.  

3. Network

Take this opportunity to begin networking with peers, upper management, and other departments.  The people you meet now can be great contacts and professional resources in the future, whether you are looking for a job or need professional advice.

4. Ask Questions

As an intern you want to learn as much as you can while you can, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.  An internship is a learning experience and you are not expected to know everything from the start.

5. Plan with your Supervisor

Sit down with your supervisor at the beginning of your internship and decide on goals you would like to achieve.  Discuss skills you would like to obtain and projects you would like to work on.  By creating a road map in the beginning, you are setting yourself up for success.

6. Volunteer

If someone is in need of assistance on a project, volunteer to help.  By volunteering for different tasks you will learn more and develop a more well-rounded skill set.  Just make sure not to exceed the limit of what you can handle.

7. Keep in Touch

At the completion of your internship, stay in touch with those you have met.  Initially, send thank you notes and every few months send emails to keep the lines of communication open.

When Applying to Business School, Speak to Your Audience

You’ve taken your GMATs and now it is time to choose your MBA program.  When applying to business school, it is important to sell yourself and cater your abilities to each individual school.  Each school is looking for something slightly different and each school has a completely different audience that you will have to market yourself to.  Who your audience is, determines what you will present about yourself and how you will present it.  In a recent Forbes article, Betsy Massar, informs you how to evaluate your audience so that you can best showcase your knowledge and personality.

1. Learn More about the School

It is important to read up on each school to learn how each school markets itself and what its goals are.  Go to the Web site, attend school events, join chats, and speak to an admissions representative.  Taking these steps allows you to learn what the school takes pride in; therefore, learning what the admissions representatives would value from their students.

2. Connect with Your Audience

The admissions representatives seek students who have researched and who have carefully considered their MBA program.  They want to make sure you would truly be a good fit for the school, its academics, and its traditions.  Discuss your experiences that allow you to identify with the school’s beliefs and culture.

3. Display Your Business Knowledge

As an applicant for business school, it is important to show you have business savvy when applying.  In your application, use business language, correct grammar, and pay attention to detail.  By displaying your current business knowledge and on the job skills, you show that you have the capability and desire to learn more about the intricacies of the business world.

4. Don’t Forget Academics

You are applying to school and admission representatives want to make sure you have what it takes.  They want a well-rounded individual, but they will also look at your academic background including grades, test scores, writing capabilities, quantitative skills, and your GMAT score.

By taking these steps, you will be well on your way to applying for your MBA.  Best of luck!

 

Finding a New Job after Being Laid Off

Faced with a highly fluctuating economy, job layoffs are becoming more prevalent and many finance professionals who are normally working, suddenly find themselves without a job.  Unfortunately, hard workers are becoming a product of economic conditions.  However, you should not feel defeated.  You are a desirable candidate for another company.  In a recent Forbes article, Margie Warrell reminds us to bounce back, begin the job hunt, and find that other company:

1. Focus on Your Future

It is important to keep your head up and focus your energies towards your future.  With this is mind, budget your money, create a to-do list, and figure out what you want for your future.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to take a class to refine your accounting skills or maybe you’ve always wanted to switch careers?  This is the perfect opportunity to do so.

2. Use Your Network

Over the years you have developed a network of professionals.  Be proactive.  This is the perfect time to reach out to them and ask for introductions to people that can assist you in finding a new job.  Since some jobs openings are not publicized, “word of mouth” is a great way to make new connections and use the resources you have available to you.

3. Know That Finding a Job is a Job

Once you have taken a few days to yourself, it is important to create a plan in finding a new job.  Define practical steps to reach your goal, such as updating your resume, calling your connections, signing up for job sites (i.e OneWire), and attending networking events.   Just as you do in a workplace, it is beneficial to organize your day with the end goal of interviewing and finding a new job.

Use these steps as a guide in your job search.  Best of luck in your job hunt!