Untitled. Should you include volunteer work on a resume? By Katherine Reynolds Lewis, contributor FORTUNE -- Scale Computing chief executive Jeff Ready recently was interviewing job candidates for a position whose duties included coordinating all-hands meetings at the Indianapolis-based manufacturer. One prospective employee's resume included her experience planning an annual fundraiser for a local charity, several years in a row.
"To me, that experience was awesome. She had done it for four to five years; she obviously liked doing it, or she wouldn't have done it for free," says Ready. The volunteer work stood out because her resume described the event planning experience and how many attendees were involved, making it clear that it was a substantial amount of responsibility. "You've got that four or five-second opportunity to say something that's going to grab my attention," Ready says. Increasingly, corporate bosses like Ready are taking note of job candidates' volunteer efforts. "I want my employers to know I have things I'm involved with. Financial Efficiency: The Analyst's Guide To Time Management.
The average advisor's day is jam packed with a litany of tasks including servicing client accounts, attending sales meetings, tracking the stock market and calling on sales leads. While these financial professionals are often well compensated for taking on this hectic lifestyle, the long hours and volume of duties are also a major reason why the burnout rate in the financial industry is so high.
(For related reading, see Finding Your Place In The Financial Industry.) TUTORIAL: Fundamental Analysis To be clear, there's nothing that an advisor can do to eliminate these duties. In fact, the more successful an advisor becomes, the busier his or her schedule will be. Even so, by implementing better time management techniques, there is a way to reduce stress levels and to make the day more productive. To that end, the following are some tips meant to help advisors better manage their workdays.
Be an Early BirdWhat a broker or advisor does in the morning sets the tone for the day. Becoming A Financial Analyst. What Is a Financial Analyst? A financial analyst researches macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions along with company fundamentals to make business, sector and industry recommendations. They also often recommend a course of action, such as to buy or sell a company's stock based upon its overall current and predicted strength. An analyst must be aware of current developments in the field in which he or she specializes as well as in preparing financial models to predict future economic conditions for any number of variables.
Background of Financial AnalystsIf you are still an undergraduate student who is considering a career as a financial analyst, it is best to take courses in business, economics, accounting and math. Other majors that are looked upon favorably include computer sciences, biology, physics and even engineering. Types of Analyst PositionsFinancial analysts tend to specialize based on the type of institution they work for. Find Your Niche In The Financial Industry. The financial industry is easy enough to break into, but carving out a viable long-term career niche is tough. To succeed in this industry, one must have discipline, intelligence and a thick-skinned psyche. There are many different positions in the financial services industry, and it often takes years for individuals to find and settle into a position that is a good fit for them. So what job is the best fit for you? In this article, we'll give you the tools you need to begin making this important decision.
Character TraitsIn general, if you are a persuasive and knowledgeable individual and don't mind working long hours, a job as a registered representative might be a good fit. If, on the other hand, you love numbers, are good at math and excel spreadsheets, and relish delving into the financials of a public company, then perhaps a career path as an analyst is your best bet. SEE: Is A Career In Financial Planning In Your Future? SEE: Invest In Yourself With A College Education. Financial Analyst Training & Designation Programs. There are many options from which to choose, when looking to improve financial analysis skills or a resume. In all states (and even overseas), there are colleges, universities and private organizations that offer a wide variety of programs to enhance your skills. And while most of the offerings are very valuable, typically it would not make sense to complete more than two of these programs.
(Find out how to get yourself ready for these lengthy and often daunting exams. See Prepare For Your CFA Exams.) TUTORIAL: The Greatest Investors The three sources of gaining financial analyst training and designations are: universities, designation and certification programs and training programs. Financial Analyst Specialist (FAS)One financial analysis designation that offers a self-paced solution is the Financial Analyst Specialist (FAS) designation program. When choosing a designation to pursue, is important to first understand and have a solid grasp of the doors that the program will open.
Financial Careers: Trying On Potential Employers. Every year, undergrad and graduate students across the United States gear up for recruiting season. Legions of recruiters from thousands of companies dot university campuses, exchanging pleasantries with career placement officers, professors and students. Undoubtedly, the number of initial employment paths for each student will be daunting as recruiting brochures and company propaganda compete to tug students in various directions. But once you've set up some solid interviews, how do you make sure you'll impress your potential employers?
For the job seeker, it's not just about getting a job, it is also about finding a company that's a good fit. Know Yourself The biggest variable guiding whether you will thrive in your chosen, albeit initial, path: Do you know yourself? If you are an undergraduate student, temper your expectations for your initial role. Start Small Eliminate the ego. What's Your Role? Any company that you interview with will probably learn as much as it can about you. Rules.