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In this video, I discuss 5 skills you NEED to develop to land a role in finance. These skills include:
Microsoft Excel & Powerpoint
Financial Analyses and Strategies using programs like Trend Up Now (trendupnow.org)
Up to date on market trends and news
Being a people person and master networker (airport test)
Be a great teammate
Tags:
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Script:
#1 Excel and Powerpoint
But certainly make sure you start developing this skill prior to applying for roles, otherwise it will be a tough learning curve.
In addition to excel, powerpoint is also a huge part of any role in finance, especially investment management and banking. Powerpoint is all about telling a story using data, so it is great to have some foundational skills in the platform. Also, you typically are asked to prepare some sort of end of internship PowerPoint and present it to leadership, so it’s always a good idea to get a head start on understanding what industry norms are and how the decks should look.
#2 Understand Financial Strategies and Analysis
This is where programs like Trend Up Now can help you immensely. If you haven’t heard of Trend Up Now before, it was started by a group of investment professionals to shake up the way investment firms hire their talent. The idea is that they identify, train and mentor those candidates who have the potential to do well in the field but want to increase their odds of success.
Trend Up Now runs a program that teaches you the ins and outs of investment funds’ strategies and helps you master actionable investment skills in just a few months. They offer three levels of courses that give you a deep dive into financial markets, the power of derivatives, trade and risk management skills, hedge fund strategies and so much more. What sets this apart from other training programs is that at the end of the program, if you’re a top performer, they invite you to join their Specialization and Recruitment Program where they work with top buy-side firms to place you directly into an internship.
You also instantly join a global community of investors, employers, and students, which can go a long way to open doors to potential roles.
One of the downsides is that while Trend Up is a powerful program, you need to apply to get in, though the application form is short and sometimes you even find the outcome right after submitting if you qualify. If you are interested in learning more, you can check out their website TrendUpNow.org
#3 Up to Date on Market News and Trends
A super common question will be to ask you about how a current event may affect the firm you are interviewing at or something along those lines.
This is why you need to always be up to date on what is going on in the world of finance.
The best way I did this was to start reading the Morning Brew every single morning. Their newsletter does a great job of summarizing a wide range of business news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. If you want more niche content, there are niche newsletters like Litquidity’s Exec Sum and those form the WSJ or Axios.
#4 Become More of a People Person and Master Networker
Try to relate to your interviewers on a personal level.
I’ve made a lot of videos about it in the past, but it is so important to network beforehand. If you can reach out to someone on LinkedIn and learn a bit more about the role/firm it goes a long way.
Get comfortable getting out of your comfort zone when it comes to networking.
Be someone that people want to root for.
#5 Good Teammate
The last skill you need can best be explained by what is called the “airplane test.”
This is a test where the interviewer consciously or self-consciously decides whether you are someone they would be okay with being delayed at the airport with.
A role in finance requires a lot of late nights and long hours working with the other members of your team.
Showing your enthusiasm and passion is a skill too. Prove that you want it, and go out and crush it.
