CAREER STRATEGIES
Writing your Resume
You only have a couple of seconds to catch the eye of your prospective employer before your resume lands in the reject pile. Writing a professional resume tailored to your audience is essential.
> Read More about Writing Resumes
> View Sample Branch Administrator Resume
> View Sample Branch Manager Resume
> View Sample Entry Level Resume
Interview Preparation
A good first impression makes all the difference. Read about the dos and don'ts of interviewing.
How to Resign
Resigning from a position is a stressful situation for all parties involved. Learn how to exit your current position professionally and courteously.
MY FINANCIAL CAREER PATH
New Entrant
Interested in a career in finance? We can coach you on the realities of breaking into the industry with the inside track on educational requirements and entry-level opportunities.
Your career options will be dependent on your interests, and a winning attitude. Any type of position within Blue Chip's roster will require industry relevant education. Blue Chip can offer you insight and advice on what options are available, but ultimately it is up to the candidate to choose which path they would like to follow.
You will learn from speaking with a Blue Chip Recruiting representative what courses you need to get to the career you want. For a head start go to:
> www.csi.ca - Canadian Securities Institute Global Education Inc.
> www.ifse.ca - Investment Funds Institute of Canada
> www.iiroc.ca - Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
As a new entrant the basic skills that will leverage your career are intermediate Excel, a high attention to detail and follow through, tact and confidentiality, and a confident, calm and helpful telephone manner. An energy and attitude to do whatever it takes will open doors for you.
Operations
Enjoy working behind the scenes? Positions in Operations are well suited for individuals who thrive working efficiently in highly regulated processing roles facilitating the settlement, payment and reporting of client and institutional transactions.
Typical paths for growth in the financial industry offer opportunities for senior-level educated candidates to become Operations Managers, Credit Officers, Compliance Officers, Branch Managers and Branch Administrators.
The basic courses and abilities required include basic accounting, bookkeeping courses and intermediate Excel skills. For a head start go to:
> www.csi.ca - Canadian Securities Institute Global Education Inc.
> www.ifse.ca - Investment Funds Institute of Canada
> www.iiroc.ca - Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
Working in operations requires you to be highly organized, detail-oriented, a skilled communicator (verbal and written) and efficient in multitasking. You need to possess analytic and numeric skills in addition to having experience in an office or financial service environment. A career in operations can be stressful and place demands upon an individual to play the role of people pleaser with a tolerance for high-pressure situations.
Base salaries are generally in line with experience; opportunities for bonuses are specific to each firm.
Investment Representative
As a Sales Assistant you are the go-to person on any large investment team. All aspects of client service, administration, trading and operations are usually initiated from this role. Your primary responsibility is the care and maintenance of the existing client base. You are there to enable the sales team to focus solely on revenue producing activities.
While working as a Sales Assistant you can position yourself as an Associate Broker, working more closely in revenue-producing marketing activities for the sales team, or you can make the jump to sales within a Sales Representative or Broker role. Insurance Licensing or Financial Planning courses will also add depth to your career.
You will learn from speaking with a Blue Chip Recruiting representative what courses you need to get to the career you want. For a head start go to:
> www.csi.ca - Canadian Securities Institute Global Education Inc.
> www.ifse.ca - Investment Funds Institute of Canada
> www.iiroc.ca - Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
Continuing Education is part of the IR role, as it's required by the IIROC/ MFDA to keep your license up to date. You may also want to consider taking courses such as the Branch Manager's course and the Partners, Director's and Officer's Courses. By doing so you will keep your options open in the event a management position opens up. The extra education will position you to take advantage of this opportunity.
Unfortunately sometimes you have to change companies to get a raise. It can be difficult for large organizations to give employees substantial raises to balance salary levels with market levels. If you are participating in a bonus structure you may want to look for ways to enhance revenue. Helping out with phone calls, increasing client appointments or looking for new clients can help. Annual discussions with your supervisor regarding compensation and advancement should be automatic - remember it's all about you! Taking courses such as Financial Planning or Insurance courses will also help.
Associate
As an Associate your primary role is to enhance current client relationships, gather new clients and build revenue for you and your team.
By this point you should have a good idea of where you want to go. Do you enjoy the sales process? If so, you may want to consider going it alone as a Broker or Sales Representative. Be sure to review your performance in terms of new clients and your frequency of bringing them in. How confident do you feel? What client sectors can you tap into? Maybe you’re not as fond of sales as you thought you were? Do you like numbers and planning? Taking additional courses in Financial Planning might be an option or considering a switch to Research or Trading.
Continuing Education courses are mandatory to maintain your license. Financial Planning courses, such as the Wealth Management or Investment Management Techniques, Technical Analysis and Insurance Licensing will enhance the skills you bring to the table. For a head start go to:
> www.csi.ca - Canadian Securities Institute Global Education Inc.
> www.ifse.ca - Investment Funds Institute of Canada
> www.iiroc.ca - Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
Become a sponge for knowledge. Learn all aspects of the business, nothing is too menial. If you can cover or help out other members of the team when the crunch is on (especially on the administration side) you will be well looked after when you need them.
Revenue enhancing ideas will always increase your bottom line. Researching stocks or mutual funds for purchase or switch opportunities is a great way to show your initiative. Taking on revenue-generating projects from inception to completion will give you confidence in your ability to lead. Ideas regarding new client sectors, marketing and client seminars, etc. can also be a credit your reputation.
Advisor
Senior management and executive positions are critical to all firms, if you have experience as an Officer, Director or a Branch Administrator within an Investment firm we can assist you in exploring new and diverse career options.
If you are working as a Branch Manager a logical next step for you would be Regional Manager or entrance into the "C-Suite" in CFO, COO or CEO positions. Another option would be setting up your own firm as the President and CEO.
An MBA designation will enhance your current Management role while opening new doors for advancement. For a head start go to:
> www.csi.ca - Canadian Securities Institute Global Education Inc.
> www.ifse.ca - Investment Funds Institute of Canada
> www.iiroc.ca - Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
Don’t forget your roots. Did you start out as an administrator or in junior sales? Your staff are integral in making your business run like a well-oiled machine. They work hard to make you look good, by rewarding them and treating them respectfully you will benefit.
Support your sales team, give them investment ideas, give them opportunities to compete – let them air concerns and give ideas for improvements. If your sales team is happy and productive your bottom line will increase substantially.