You understand the broad strokes of the financial services sector and the diverse industries it encompasses. But what does a career in Professional Financial Services truly look like day-to-day?
To gain a clearer picture of the work involved in professional financial services, examining actual job postings and pinpointing the skills employers prioritize is invaluable. This approach helps illuminate the specific tasks and responsibilities that professionals in this field handle daily.
Below, we break down the specialized and common skills frequently sought in job postings for professional financial services roles, providing insights into what you can expect in this dynamic career path.
Essential Skills for Professional Financial Services: Insights from Job Postings
Data derived from an analysis of 110,671 financial services job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills in Professional Financial Services
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | 43,761 | 40% |
| Loans | 39,369 | 36% |
| Sales Prospecting | 24,267 | 22% |
| Mortgage Loans | 23,879 | 22% |
| Cash Handling | 20,599 | 19% |
Analysis of 110,671 job postings for professional financial services positions reveals “Financial Services” as the most sought-after specialized skill, appearing in 40% of postings. Expertise in areas like loans, sales prospecting, mortgage loans, cash handling, and commercial banking are also highly valued by employers in the financial sector. These specialized skills highlight the core functions within financial services, emphasizing a need for professionals who possess specific financial acumen and industry-related knowledge.
Top 5 Common Skills for Professional Financial Services Professionals
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 66,846 | 60% |
| Sales | 59,757 | 54% |
| Communication | 47,944 | 43% |
| Problem Solving | 28,168 | 25% |
| Management | 26,302 | 24% |
Beyond specialized financial knowledge, certain common skills are crucial for success in professional financial services. Customer service tops the list, highlighted in 60% of job postings, underscoring the client-facing nature of many roles. Sales skills are also highly desirable, reflecting the need to build relationships and drive business. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and management skills round out the top five common skills, indicating that employers seek well-rounded individuals who can effectively interact with clients, navigate complex situations, and contribute to team success within a professional financial services environment.
Broader Spectrum of Specialized Skills
The demand for specialized skills in professional financial services extends beyond the top five. Employers frequently seek professionals with expertise in areas such as self-service technologies, marketing within financial contexts, product knowledge specific to financial instruments, and familiarity with automated teller machines (ATMs). Cross-selling, understanding of the Truth in Lending Act, general banking practices, retail banking, and broader finance knowledge are also in demand. Furthermore, investments, risk management, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, knowledge of Financial Industry Regulatory Authorities (FINRA) regulations, and consumer lending expertise are valuable specialized skills that can enhance a professional’s profile in the financial services job market.
Essential Common Skills for Career Advancement
In addition to the top common skills, a range of interpersonal and professional attributes contribute significantly to career advancement in professional financial services. These include strong interpersonal communication abilities, operational understanding, attention to detail, and influencing skills. Self-motivation, effective writing skills, time management, and leadership potential are also highly regarded. Relationship building, professionalism, proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel), multitasking capabilities, and coaching skills are further common skills that employers look for. Finally, presentation skills are increasingly valuable for professionals needing to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively.
By understanding both the specialized and common skills sought after in professional financial services, individuals can better prepare themselves for a successful and rewarding career in this vital sector.
