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Job outlook for finance advisors in the United States
Finance advisor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected finance advisor job growth rate is 15% from 2018-2028.
About 50,900 new jobs for finance advisors are projected over the next decade.
Finance advisor salaries have increased -1% for finance advisors in the last 5 years.
There are over 241,225 finance advisors currently employed in the United States.
There are 106,311 active finance advisor job openings in the US.
The average finance advisor salary is $64,993.
Are finance advisor jobs in demand?
Finance Advisor job and salary trends over time
Finance Advisor jobs over time
Finance Advisor job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 241,225 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 209,822 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 203,791 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 194,015 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 191,504 | 0.06% |
Average finance advisor salary over time
Finance Advisor salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,993 | $31.25 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $63,917 | $30.73 | --1.2% |
| 2023 | $64,673 | $31.09 | --1.9% |
| 2022 | $65,946 | $31.71 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $65,866 | $31.67 | +1.5% |
Finance Advisor jobs by state
Most common states for finance advisors
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 376 | 54% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 514 | 49% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 1,200 | 40% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 781 | 27% |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 987 | 25% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,427 | 21% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 746 | 21% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 203 | 21% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 157 | 21% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,137 | 20% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 209 | 20% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,571 | 19% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 587 | 19% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 108 | 19% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,017 | 17% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 927 | 17% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,098 | 16% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 213 | 16% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,146 | 15% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 893 | 15% |
Most common cities for finance advisors
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boca Raton | 10 | 10% | $69,991 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 32 | 7% | $56,315 |
| 3 | Tampa | 19 | 5% | $66,095 |
| 4 | Irvine | 13 | 5% | $62,917 |
| 5 | Miami | 16 | 4% | $70,608 |
| 6 | Boston | 19 | 3% | $101,333 |
| 7 | San Jose | 22 | 2% | $65,633 |
| 8 | San Francisco | 20 | 2% | $65,963 |
| 9 | Denver | 15 | 2% | $52,044 |
| 10 | Baltimore | 12 | 2% | $68,832 |
| 11 | Sacramento | 12 | 2% | $64,696 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 30 | 1% | $63,194 |
| 13 | Chicago | 24 | 1% | $68,112 |
| 14 | San Diego | 20 | 1% | $62,851 |
| 15 | Houston | 15 | 1% | $66,168 |
| 16 | Philadelphia | 15 | 1% | $75,574 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 14 | 1% | $62,136 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 12 | 1% | $76,816 |
| 19 | Jacksonville | 11 | 1% | $63,891 |
| 20 | New York | 28 | 0% | $111,662 |
Finance Advisor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of finance advisor experts
Manhattan College
Fairfield University
University of Akron
University of Oregon
Stonehill College
King's College
American University
Albion College
Cedar Falls
Southwestern College
Lawrence Technological University
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Hartwick College
University of Rhode Island
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
John McDermott Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential, keep learning, investing in your human capital, and expanding your capabilities. Learn as much as you can about your new position and industry, work with a variety of people at your firm, and seek opportunities outside your comfort zone. Your salary potential will increase as you are recognized as a capable and hard working colleague.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: As a beginner in any field, it pays to listen more than to talk. Be humble, pay attention, be nice to folks and probably most helpful is having a mentor who can guide you along and show you some best practices for navigating your career. You should take advantage of your education, not just to show a piece of paper that says you graduated but think of every single project, essay or paper that you write as part of a portfolio that demonstrates your skill sets. Especially in finance where we can sometimes be enamored with the beauty of a mathematical model, think about how any model should be applied in the real world. In some cases that might mean that you have to “get your hands on the wheel and learn how to drive.” I am not suggesting that you should put all your savings at risk and buy the next iteration of the latest cryptocurrency, but If you’re interested in a career in investing, put a small amount of money at risk and trade a stock, or if you must trade a few dollars’ worth of Bitcoin or Ether – as much as you would risk for a movie ticket seems reasonable. There are lots of virtual trading apps where you can trade with paper money, but there’s nothing like understanding risk when your own dollars are at stake, even if it’s just a few dollars. You should also absorb all the workshops, seminars and resources available out there. Follow Prof. Aswath Damodaran who has a YouTube Channel and hundreds of spreadsheets with financial models, all for free! Also follow some good content providers on various channels to get additional insights – in the field of finance, you need to be up-to-date on all events because those influence markets and the economy. Be ready to continue learning and update your skills and understanding while you’re working. Education doesn’t end after you finish your degree. All successful people are life-long learners.
Keith Kerr Prof.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two approaches to maximizing your salary potential, but only one approach that is completely under our control. While we can learn the best ways to approach employers to advocate for raises and promotions, the outcome of this is dependent on many external factors. What you can control, however, is how you manage the money that you do make. Taking the time to make a detailed budget of your income, expenses and debts allows one to find ways to control their spending, thus generating extra cash for saving and investing each month.
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Keith Kerr Prof.: Grant writing is perhaps the most important skill for sociology majors to acquire. Not all sociology programs offer such skills (luckily my department at Quinnipiac does), but all sociology programs offer courses in research methodology. These skills are all skills that are needed to successfully write grants.
More so, with the research skills and practice in grant writing, one is in a position to approach potential employers as a hire that will more than pay for itself in the grant money that the potential employee can bring into the organization.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two basic ways that most people in the US find financial success: Either find a job that pays a high salary, or find a career that you love, regardless of the salary, and make a habit of saving and investing part of your income each month starting with your first paycheck.
If you invest only $90 a month starting at 21 and ending at retirement, you would have a bit over 1 million dollars (assuming a 10% annual gain). Wait just 5 years and start doing this at 26 and your 5 years of time will have cost you $400,000 by retirement. This is the power of compounding. Start early and even with a lower salary, you still can find financial success while pursuing careers that are meaningful to you.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Eric Brisker Ph.D.: The finance industry is a very competitive industry to compete for jobs in even when graduating with an undergraduate degree in Finance. Fresh graduates beginning their career in finance should focus on the following areas to give them a competitive advantage on other job market candidates: 1. Develop your professional skills to include communication, networking, and social skills. 2. Develop analytical skills and learn the tools used for analyzing financial data. 3. Continue to develop and expand your financial knowledge. 4. Work towards obtaining a professional certification that are highly valued in the finance industry. 5. Being open about career paths is recommended.
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eric Brisker Ph.D.: Skills that are necessary for graduates to obtain to enjoy a successful career in the finance industry include data analytics and digital proficiency skills. Jobs in private equity, private credit, and other private financial markets are becoming the most competitive jobs to obtain in the finance industry. Developing a very deep knowledge of how these private markets work compared to public markets is essential for those interested in entering this realm.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Eric Brisker Ph.D.: Focusing on developing skills in communication, networking, social skills, analytical skills, financial knowledge, and obtaining professional certifications can help maximize salary potential in the finance industry. Developing these skills and following the advice provided can lead to opportunities for higher salaries.
Z. Jay Wang
Department Head, Associate Professor of FinanceUniversity of Oregon
Finance And Financial Management Services
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Z. Jay Wang: Students who have a history of doing work in the field outside the classroom either through internships, industry projects, or school-sponsored clubs managing financial decisions are better poised to maximize starting salary potential. Starting early to secure internships with top companies will also position students well for higher earning potential. Most top banks and firms will post internships from April/May to August, and close by the end of September for the following summer. They are also rolling, so may fill the roles by as early as June of the sophomore year for the following summer after junior year. Finally, networking with industry and alumni professionals in the companies, firms, banks prior to applying for an internship or full-time position will have an impact. The candidate will learn more about the opportunity and company culture for their resume and potential interview, and most top companies in finance will have a referral program. If the candidate impresses the internal connection with excellent questions and strategic answers, they may get a referral that moves them up in the stacks of applicants.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Z. Jay Wang: As you onboard into your first roles in finance, a great work ethic and strong technical skills are obviously important for your long-term success. Moreover, your human skills will be as important as your technical skill. Ensure you practice and develop your communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and project management skills. In terms of technical skills attention to detail, use of data analytics tools, and visualization will be very valuable. Another often overlooked skill is written communication. Many students fail to realize the importance of effective communications.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Dr. Wayne Durr: Maximizing your salary potential starts with understanding your value. What skills and
capabilities can you articulate to a prospective employer? The ability to articulate these skills
and what you bring to that company can be challenging. Think of your resume like an artist
thinks of their portfolio. What projects or analysis have you worked on? You cannot articulate
the value you will bring to that prospective company without the ability to articulate your skills
and capabilities. Do your research to determine what other employers pay people with the
same abilities. Ask employers what the salary range is and use that as your baseline. As you
get close to graduating, your classmates talk about the job offers they receive and most likely
share the salaries they are being offered. Listen and use this as a baseline. All this gives you
an idea of your value. Your first job isn't always the place where you'll be able to maximize your
earning potential. Think of your first job as where you will get the work experience to maximize
your future earning potential. Look at this as the place where you will sharpen your skills and
develop new ones. This first job will be where you fill out your resume and either have an
opportunity to maximize your earning potential there or elsewhere in the future.
Additionally, think about passive income and the "side gig". If you don't feel like you're
maximizing your earning potential at that first job, think about how you can make money on the
side. I believe we now live in a society where truly maximizing your earning potential comes
from more than your current employer. The ability to earn money from a side gig is more
prevalent than ever before. I think every student should take an entrepreneur class. Think
about your skills, which one could make you some side money. Don't dismiss jobs you did
growing up, like delivery service, landscaping, etc. There are so many apps and websites that
people and companies are looking for anything from an hour to a couple of days worth of work.
Take that first six months on the job to get settled in, and then start thinking about that side gig.
Peter Ibbott
Associate Professor of EconomicsKing's College
Economics
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Peter Ibbott: If you are considering a career in economics or finance, it is best to get an MA in Economics or a Masters in Financial Economics. If you are considering a career in Business or Finance, it is best to develop your experience through work, while seeking additional educational opportunities throughout your career. Many find that accumulating micro-credentials can be useful. A more valuable path is to work towards obtaining a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. For strong students, taking a break later in your career to pursue an MBA or Masters of Finance can be useful in advancing your mid-career prospects.
Octavian Ionici PhD
Sr. Lecturer in FinanceAmerican University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Octavian Ionici PhD: The finance profession is lucrative, rewarding and very competitive. Graduates should do their research about the organization they are interviewing with and be able to discuss how their skills can contribute to the business. They should also know if they would rather interact with people and clients or if they are drawn to intellectual pursuits such as analysis. Do they value power, prestige status, risk, or something else? Ultimately our core values, personal goals, interests, aptitudes, and personality will shape our career paths.
Being able to articulate what sparked their interest in the financial field and why they are interested in a chosen role will be an advantage during the hiring process. While still in college, students should join a professional association like the Financial Management Association to give them more access to that broad network, as well as access to career development resources that can set them apart from the crowd.
It's also critical to get an internship (paid or unpaid) in order to show some real-life experience. They can do this while they are still in college, during the summers, or even afterwards, to get a foot in the door.
Reading the WSJ and FT daily, and listening to Bloomberg, or other financial programs as a regular practice will help them to have fluency in the language of our profession. Because the finance sector is heavily regulated and changes occur due to changing economic and political conditions, they will need to stay updated with those changes. Financial media sources will help bring them that context to stay up to date on all of these moving parts.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Octavian Ionici PhD: Try to understand what your boss or your company needs, then see if you can fill that gap with your skill set and work ethic. Finance constantly evolves. A career with lifelong learning will help keep you employable. Investing in continuous learning and skill development can increase your income potential down the road.
Plus, don't underestimate the power of a positive attitude and strong work ethic. You may not be an expert at the beginning, but you can take on every challenge given to you, work hard and try to turn it into a success for your organization. Each win will build your reputation and your portfolio of skills which you will then bring with you to your next job. As you do this, you will inevitably acquire specialized skills.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Noah Alatza: As you begin your career, there are two areas that are critical to your success. First, it is essential that you commit to continuous learning. Strive to become knowledgeable on a wide variety of issues and developments in the financial sector, and set yourself apart by becoming an expert in a few key areas of interest. Secondly, actively build your professional network. Always take the opportunity to make new connections, and commit dedicated time each week to building and maintaining those relationships.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Maximize your salary potential by asking questions and learning as quickly as possible. Be a good communicator with those above and below you as well as your peers. Be dependable. Persons who show up early and work hard will be valued and rewarded.
Dr. Jon Hooks Ph.D., CFA, CFP®
Professor of Economics and ManagementAlbion College
Economics
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Dr. Jon Hooks Ph.D., CFA, CFP®: Do not underestimate the importance of your GPA. Work hard in every class to get a 4.0. An increasing number of employers are requesting students with at least a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA. Also, set yourself apart. Add some skill that distinguishes you from the huge number of other finance graduates.
Brett Olsen
Department Head and Professor of FinanceCedar Falls
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brett Olsen: Every business, every institution, every family, and every fund deals with cash flows. Being able to evaluate, understand, quantify, analyze, compute, and communicate the flows of cash is necessary and cannot be avoided. This is a good profession at any point in time. The use of cash is ubiquitous.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Brett Olsen: To succeed as a Finance Analyst, one needs to be interested in math, willing to solve problems, and driven by both. Those who dislike math or problem-solving may find the career challenging.
Kevin Alston MBA
Doctoral Candidate DBASouthwestern College
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Kevin Alston MBA: Ensure that you are marketable and are considered a commodity. What that means is the firm that you are interested in joining should consider your skills and knowledge an invaluable commodity. One who stands head and shoulders above the competition.
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Alston MBA: Acquire any many Industry Certifications as possible. Attend seminars and workshops to stay current within our industry.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Kevin Alston MBA: Crypto Currency and AI. These two are the most impactful variables associated with the Financial Industry.
Matthew Cole Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Business and Information TechnologyLawrence Technological University
Architecture And Related Services
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Cole Ph.D.: Maximizing Salary Potential: Specializing in high-demand areas like tax or forensic accounting, demonstrating strong technology skills, negotiating based on industry salary standards, and pursuing professional development and additional credentials will maximize salary potential.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Matthew Cole Ph.D.: Specializing in high-demand areas like tax or forensic accounting, demonstrating strong technology skills, negotiating based on industry salary standards, and pursuing professional development and additional credentials will maximize salary potential.
Fang Lin
Assistant Professor of FinancePacific Lutheran University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Fang Lin: Proficiency in coding and statistical modeling is essential. At a minimum, individuals should be able to understand basic financial models. Ideally, they should be able to code or at least interpret code in languages such as Python and R. Additionally, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking will continue to be invaluable.
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fang Lin: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. Young journalists have a lot to offer newsrooms through social media skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Technology skills have value and should not be undersold. Also, young journalism students should not discount the value of their student media and internship experiences. Young journalists must use everything on their resumes to show how they bring value to their position and ask to be compensated fairly for the work they will contribute to the newsroom's success.
What will help Finance Advisors increase their earning potential?
Fang Lin: I believe that data analysis is becoming increasingly crucial for finance professionals. Therefore, proficiency in coding and statistical modeling is essential. At a minimum, individuals should be able to understand basic financial models. Ideally, they should be able to code or at least interpret code in languages such as Python and R. Additionally, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking will continue to be invaluable.
Dhruba Banjade
Assistant Professor in Finance & Department Chair of Business AnalysisWhat general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
Dhruba Banjade: i. The industry technology is changing fast. Specific skills will be more critical in the finance field in the next 3-5 years. Some of these are:
ii. Data analysis/ data mining skills. Knowledge of Excel, R, Python, data visualization, Tableau, RapidMiner, machine learning, and financial modeling skills are essential in finance and business.
iii. Skills and knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning will give more opportunities and help career development.
iv. Network security and cybersecurity are essential to protect financial transactions and digital data.
v. Knowledge of financial regulations and risk management will be in high demand in the next 3-5 years.
vi. Soft skills such as politeness, ability to work in a diverse group, good communication, learning attitude, etc, are also necessary.
vii. Many industry and business companies today focus on sustainable development and environmental, social, and governance activities. Knowledge of sustainability and ESG measures is also helpful.
viii. Broad knowledge of global financial markets, international finance, global economy, etc., will be valuable in the next 3-5 years.
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP
Chair, Dept. of FinanceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What general advice would you give to a Finance Advisor?
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP: Show you have experience. Doing an internship is a great way to increase your starting salary. I always advocate for doing applied research, this is research that you can show has implications for society - science for the sake of science is not good science! Obtaining an MS degree is also a good way to increase your salary, especially if your MS degree is relevant to your future job.
What Finance Advisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP: GPA is not everything. Gaining real-life experience in industry through internships or undergraduate research projects is just as valuable. Taking on research or internships gives you a much greater understanding of a field than taking classes alone.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Finance Advisors?
Laurence Malone Ph.D.: Yes, but the pandemic will present distinctive opportunities from its challenges. Think of how in-person networking was compromised during the pandemic. Students often leave cultivating long-term personal relationships with career counselors, classmates, alumni, mentors, and faculty until their senior year. There are opportunities to deepen those relationships, now and in the future, virtually. Ask about connecting with alumni in the Economics department. Attend the first in-person alumni event that that you can, even if you secure a great position after graduation. Use your new understandings and capacities for living and learning online to reach out and deepen those relationships. Organize an online event where faculty, classmates, and alumni discuss trends and future developments in the economy. Why not create an event with the theme, "Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on economics graduates?"
What type of skills will young Finance Advisors need?
Laurence Malone Ph.D.: Economics graduates have a full range of adaptable skills, and that makes them fantastic hires in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. The strongest graduates have the ability to read and interpret arguments, information, numbers, and data. They also have a knack for creating and offering engaging presentations, with competence, poise and professionalism. The Economics major tends to produce articulate and well-spoken leaders who are strong writers, especially when it comes to making forceful and concise arguments. If you measure up, you will be able to produce a two-page memo when someone says, “Here’s our problem, I want a written recommendation tomorrow that highlights the scope of the issue and our options for a solution.”
How do you get there, before graduation? By taking philosophy and literature courses that challenge you to think, speak and write and any course that requires public speaking and creating and presenting material to the class. You’ll need to be comfortable with numbers and how they communicate information by taking statistics and courses that improve your skills in Excel. Be sure to take the Econometrics course if it’s offered in your major program. The classes that sharpen these skills are the ones most students run away from. But you are an Economics major, and that means you should take at least one every semester.
Finally, a post-pandemic revolution in workplace organization is coming. Be ready to port all of these skills over to a virtual work environment. Know how to share screens, and how to serve as a meeting host or co-host. Think of yourself as teaching a virtual class by observing how your instructor is navigating that teaching and learning environment. What works well, what doesn’t, and what are some good ways to foster more interaction and engagement among the participants who are on the screen?
What experience really stands out on Finance Advisor resumes?
Laurence Malone Ph.D.: Most experiences that are listed on the resumes of graduating seniors have become as homogenous as milk. Leadership roles as club officers, student athletes, and residence life assistants may sound impressive to you, but they are now the essential DNA of every graduate. For employers, these experiences are the minimal expectation of all applicants. So now that you're at the door, how do you get inside? With unique and unusual community engagement roles, volunteer service, and part-time work experiences.
The one-word answer to what really stands out is something that's QUIRKY.
For a graduate in Economics, this might be something you built, or extra training that you accomplished on your own. Quirky could also mean a challenge that you overcame. Did you complete a 500-mile hike? Did you volunteer for a disaster relief effort? Did you play a role as an essential worker during the pandemic? Are you an EMT? Have you served as a mentor to others, despite being relatively young? These quirky attributes can be hard to communicate on a traditional resume, but do what you do best - conduct some research on how to pull it off.
A good place to start is to ask how you overcame the impact of the pandemic and whether you offered help to others to do so. One of my recent graduates exemplifies the past, present and future of getting your first position after college, and what that job might look like. His resume showed a decent GPA and a solid list of those homogenous accomplishments mentioned above. But what really stood out was that he completed 30 hours of online training and volunteered for a crisis hotline. That won him four rounds of online interviews and a terrific position with a leading financial firm. And six months after the first interview, he still hadn't met with a single employee of the firm, in person.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Finance Advisor job market given the pandemic?
Sean Edmund Rogers Ph.D.: -Slowed, but recovering, hiring of full-time employees and interns. The pandemic caused many employers to put the brakes on hiring as demand for their products and services dried up. Some employers are beginning to rebound and the economy will eventually return to pre-pandemic levels, but for now opportunities are pretty tight.
-Telework and workplace flexibility. The pandemic has forced many firms to try out telework, including some that were previously opposed to it. To the surprise of many employers, remote work can work just fine if done right. "Done right" means things like ensuring that employees have access to the technology and resources needed to perform their work well (and not completely expecting them to foot the bill for it), or taking into account the need for flexible schedules, for example.
-Similar to telework and considering continued travel restrictions, firms that previously relied on employees from different areas being colocated to get work done, or on their professional being able to meet with clients face-to-face, will need to get creative about how to foster teamwork or deliver the same high-quality services from a distance. Lots of training and organizational support will be required to avoid dips in employee performance and customer satisfaction.
-More and more interviews, even down to final-round interviews, are being conducted virtually. While this is most likely temporary, new entrants to the job market now and in the upcoming months will need to become comfortable with vying for jobs in nontraditional ways. Everyone will need to become quite comfortable with advanced technology use.
-Firms may find it harder to woo professionals during the pandemic. Many individuals are opting to stay put for the time being rather than explore new job opportunities. Given societal and economic uncertainties, some people would rather play it safe until we know more about the public health situation. I don't think firms will necessarily be hurting for talent, especially considering that there are industries facing job losses. But people may not be as mobile as usual for the time being.
What skills stand out on Finance Advisor resumes?
Sean Edmund Rogers Ph.D.: The same ones that have always stood out - a solid record of performance and achievement, strong job knowledge and skills, relevant experience, reliability and dependability, a commitment to professional development such as via industry certifications, and so on. If there was one thing to add given the ever-increasing competition for jobs, it is that job seekers who have verifiable and demonstrable abilities that suggest they can hit the ground running and quickly create value for an organization may have a leg up. This is more than someone just being a self-starter. I'm talking about having a specific expertise like data analytics and visualization skills using Tableau. Just as firms seek to create and sustain competitive advantage, job seekers should be looking for ways they can hone their skills and expand their value-add for employers.