If you’ve been looking for a new finance manager job, you know how competitive it can be. There are a lot of qualified candidates out there who want the same position that you do.
And while some jobs are easier to land than others, landing that dream job is possible if you put in the work beforehand. In this post, I’ll walk you through all the steps involved in getting your dream job as a finance manager and help you land it faster!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Develop a strong foundation in financial knowledge and expertise. |
| Gain relevant work experience in finance or related fields. |
| Hone your leadership and managerial skills. |
| Network with professionals in the finance industry. |
| Stay updated with industry trends and advancements. |
| Showcase your achievements and qualifications effectively. |
| Continuously improve and adapt to changes in the finance landscape. |
| Leverage technology and data analytics in your role. |
| Seek professional certifications to enhance your credentials. |
| Cultivate excellent communication and interpersonal skills. |
Do Your Research
Research the company. You want to make sure that they’re a good fit for you, and you should want to be a good fit for them as well. Researching the company will help you gauge if this is going to be something you can see yourself working at long-term (and if it pays enough).
Research the industry. If all you know about an industry is what the job title means, then it’s time for some research!
Explore different companies in your industry and find out who their competitors are, what types of clients they have, and what kind of products/services they offer.
Anything that might help prepare you when talking with hiring managers or potential co-workers during an interview process later down the road.
Research the job itself and its requirements/qualifications/skillsets needed from someone filling this position within their organization (if available).
This may require interviewing some people who currently work there or even asking current employees questions about why they enjoy working at such a place so much which can provide valuable insight into how things operate on a day-to-day basis within this particular business;
Whether it’s boring or fun; fast-paced or slow-paced; relaxed atmosphere with lots of downtime between projects vs constant busyness around every corner…you get the idea–these things matter!
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Note Your Transferable Skills
If you want to land your dream job as a finance manager, it’s important to have the right skills and experience. A good way to figure out what skills are needed is by reading job descriptions for similar positions.
Make sure you have the skills that companies are looking for and if not, do some research on how you can learn them.
Once you’ve identified which skills might be relevant and transferable, think about how they relate to the job function at hand (e.g., “I’m great at multitasking” or “I’m good at managing my time”).
If possible, demonstrate this ability on your resume or in an interview by giving examples of situations where you used those particular talents (e.g., “I was able to successfully manage five projects simultaneously because I was able to allocate my time effectively between them”).
Figure Out Your Strengths And Weaknesses
Figuring out your strengths and weaknesses is an important step in the job search process. You can do this by writing a list of everything you are good at, and then listing everything you aren’t so good at.
This exercise will help you identify your transferable skills (those skills that can be transferred from one job to another) and the career goals that align with those transferable skills.
Once you’ve figured out what makes up your ideal job, it’s time to start looking for opportunities that match those qualities. Once again, don’t settle for just any old opportunity; make sure it matches what you’re looking for in every way possible before accepting an offer!
Write A Compelling Objective Statement
A good objective statement is concise, clear, and persuasive. It should be no longer than a single sentence and use the STAR method:
Situation (or purpose of your resume). This is where you describe what job you’re applying for. For example: “Assist in building a financial strategy for the CFO’s office.”
Task(s) required to complete the goal. This is where you describe specifically what needs to be done on the job; it should include action verbs such as “develop” or “pilot,” but make sure not to overdo it! For example: “Develop new accounting system; analyze current budgeting process.”
Results were achieved by following through with task(s). This is where you quantify your results including numbers wherever possible so that hiring managers can easily see how valuable an asset you would be as an employee at their organization.
For example: “Increased efficiency by 30% over five years; saved the company $2 million annually through effective budgeting system implementation.”
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Use Numbers To Your Advantage
As a candidate, you want the hiring manager to see that you’re capable of understanding and managing budgets and projects.
This is where your finance background can shine through. If you don’t have a finance background, don’t worry you still have plenty of ways to show off your ability to learn and adapt quickly.
For example: if your resume lists project management skills specifically related to financial planning, use those numbers!
Or if you’ve managed budgets from $500k up to $5 million over several years, be sure to include the dollar figures in interviews when describing exactly how much money was involved in each project or initiative under your management.
Ask For Recommendations
When applying for a job, it’s important to ask for recommendations from people who know you well. This could be former coworkers or bosses, but it can also include friends and family members.
You’ll want to ask someone who has experience in the field you’re targeting and/or has knowledge of what makes a great finance manager; they may be able to give insight into how your skills are perceived by others in the industry.
If possible, choose someone who works directly with your target company so that their recommendation carries some weight.
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential recommender candidates, consider 1) whether or not he or she knows anyone at this job opportunity;
2) whether or not he or she would recommend you; 3) if he/she is willing to write an honest reference letter about you (not everyone will be).
Create A Compelling Resume
Use a template. It’s easy to make mistakes on your resume, especially if you’re new to the process. If you use a template, even one that you need to customize slightly, then it will take care of basic things like margins and spacing for you.
Find a font that is readable in both small and large sizes. Many people use really big fonts or really small ones or both on their resumes.
But this can be a problem because it makes the document difficult to read when printed out on paper (or viewed on screen).
If possible, find a font that falls somewhere in between these extremes so that when someone sees your resume they won’t have trouble reading what’s written there!
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Make Sure You Tailor Each Application To The Job
To land your dream job as a finance manager, you need to make sure that your application is tailored specifically for the position.
The first step in this process is tweaking your resume. It’s important to use keywords from the description when crafting a summary of the experience section and tailoring any other areas that may call for specific information on a resume:
- “Serves as liaison between the accounting department and other departments”
- “Attends weekly meetings with CFO and VP of Finance”
- “Maintains weekly contact with all outside accountants” You can also use these keywords when creating cover letters, and make sure they’re sent in Word format, so they’re easier on hiring managers’ eyes!
Update Your Skills
To make sure you have the right skills for your job, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends in technology, accounting, and finance. You can do this by:
Attending seminars or conferences put on by industry bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW), CIPFA, and AAT. These are usually free of charge and provide useful information about new legislation that affects your work.
Pursuing professional development courses through organizations like ICAEW, CIPFA, and AAT that aim to develop their members’ technical knowledge in specific areas such as investment management or corporate taxation.
Keeping an eye on events relevant to your field; might include attending conferences run by bodies like IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) or events organized by other companies that serve similar markets (such as Thomson Reuters).
Practice The Interview Questions Beforehand
Practice the questions you know you will be asked. It’s a good idea to consider what types of finance manager job interviews you will most likely encounter, so you can prepare for them.
Practice the questions you don’t know you will be asked. You might not think about some of these questions until they are asked during an interview.
Be prepared by prepping with your peers and mentors on possible things that could come up in an interview so that when they do, it won’t catch anyone off guard!
Practice the questions you don’t want to be asked. Sometimes interviewers ask inappropriate or personal questions that make candidates uncomfortable, but have nothing to do with the position at hand (e.g., “Do I have enough experience?”).
Prepare yourself by practicing how best to respond in these types of situations so as not to make yourself look unprepared or unprofessional!
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Consider Freelance Consulting Work
If you’re a career changer and have no experience in finance, consider doing freelance consulting work. Consulting is a good way to get experience and build up your resume before applying for jobs.
If you do get hired as a consultant, that can be a great way to get into the door of an organization, and even if you don’t land your dream job right away, it will help build up your resume with references and recommendations from past employers.
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Conclusion
So there you have it, our tips for landing your dream job. Now that you know what to do and how to do it, we hope that you’re well on your way to finding a great position in finance management.
If all else fails, remember that freelance consulting work is always an option and if nothing else, it’ll give you some valuable experience!
Further Reading
How to Land Your Dream Job: Explore this insightful blog post that provides valuable tips and strategies to help you land your dream job successfully.
Finance Skills to Land Your Dream Job: Discover the essential finance skills and competencies you need to stand out and secure your dream job in the finance industry.
How to Get a Job in Finance with No Experience: If you’re starting your career in finance without prior experience, this article offers practical advice and guidance on how to break into the finance industry.
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Now, here’s an example of an “FAQs” section with five questions and answers:
FAQs
How can I improve my chances of landing a dream job in finance?
To increase your chances of landing a dream job in finance, focus on developing relevant skills, networking within the industry, gaining practical experience through internships, and showcasing your achievements and qualifications effectively in your resume and cover letter.
Is it possible to get a job in finance without prior experience?
Yes, it is possible to get a job in finance without prior experience. Consider pursuing internships, volunteering in finance-related roles, obtaining relevant certifications, and highlighting transferable skills from other fields to demonstrate your passion and potential to employers.
What are some essential skills for finance professionals?
Finance professionals can benefit from skills such as financial analysis, risk management, strategic planning, data analysis, problem-solving, and communication. It’s also important to stay updated with industry trends and possess a strong understanding of financial regulations and principles.
How important is networking in the finance industry?
Networking is crucial in the finance industry as it helps you build valuable connections, gain insights, and access job opportunities that may not be publicly advertised. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and leverage online platforms to expand your network and enhance your career prospects.
What resources can help me stay informed about finance job trends?
To stay informed about finance job trends, consider following industry-specific blogs, reading finance publications, subscribing to newsletters, and engaging with finance-related communities on social media. These resources can provide valuable insights into emerging job roles, in-demand skills, and market trends.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
