You’ve just finished your studies, you feel on top of the world and then reality hits: finding a job is harder than you thought. Sure, you have your qualifications, it’s just sometimes it’s not what you know but who you know that helps you get your dream role.
Here at Manchester Young Professionals, we partner with some of the best companies in Manchester across a range of industries. At our events, you’ll have the chance to meet and network with these employers and industry professionals who are just as passionate about meeting driven and eager young professionals.
Last year, we started our blog series exploring the wide range of career paths available in Manchester. We examined A Career in Accountancy and A Career in Digital Marketing with our digital partner, Embryo.
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the finance sector, with insightful tips and advice from Time Finance, one of the UK’s fastest growing financial services companies.
Why you should choose a career in finance, explained by Time Finance
Time Finance specialises in providing funding solutions to business owners. The company knows that, when it comes to business growth, access to finance is often the catalyst for transforming an idea into a successful venture.
As a young professional looking to enter the world of financial services, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact to the future of business by assisting entrepreneurs in accessing capital, creating sound financial strategies, and supporting their operations.
By enabling businesses to thrive and expand, you have the power to help shape the future of finance and empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to achieve their goals.
A career in finance is yours to build. With a broad range of opportunities available, whether that’s through advisory support, business development, underwriting, customer service, or even marketing, the sector itself caters to a diverse set of skills and interests.
So, what are you waiting for?
Key statistics about the finance sector:
- In 2021, the financial services sector contributed £173.6 billion to the UK economy – that’s 8.3% of total economic output. (House of Commons)
- There were 1.08 million financial services jobs in the UK in quarter one (Q1) of 2022 – that’s 3.0% of all jobs. (House of Commons)
- Appetite for finance from businesses continues to rise as 4 in 10 businesses look to grow in 2023, and over 50% anticipate they will need financial support to do so. (British Business Bank)
Intrigued by a career in finance? This is what the experts say
Adam Shakespear, relationship manager in Time Finance’s Invoice Finance team.
“Personally, the best thing about working in financial services is the wide variety of businesses we can help – from the small, growing, independent businesses, to entrepreneurs with a newly founded idea, as well as large and well-established corporations. Essentially, we want to listen to their story and understand how we can use our funding to help make it a success.
“I’ve held a number of different positions at Time Finance and really managed to build my experience across the board. I started my first role in business development, where I was responsible for networking and building relationships with financial introducers and bringing new clients on board to Time Finance. Now, I work on the client services side of the business, managing client relations and their funding facilities with us.
“Talking to people and relationship building are hugely important to me and it’s great to have a career where I can do both. Whether it’s attending networking events or client visits, it’s great to get around and meet new people. As I get more experience under my belt, I know how much room there is to grow and opportunities there are available to thrive in a career in finance. To anyone looking to start their career in finance, get ready to experience that too.”
What career paths are available in finance?
As Adam Shakespear mentioned, there are plenty of career options available for the finance industry. Some of the most popular finance career sub-sectors being:
- Accountancy
- Banking and finance
- Insurance
- Pensions and investments
- Tax
- Financial planning
Within these sub-sectors, you could find the following job roles:
- Investment banker
- Insurance underwriter
- Accountant
- Credit controller
- Financial analyst
- Tax adviser
Unsure where to begin your career in finance or seeking advice to upskill? You might want to check out our MYP Mentoring Programme or stay tuned for the latest news of what’s happening in Manchester.
The benefits of choosing a career in finance
Professional growth opportunities – Within finance, there are multiple avenues to take, giving you the opportunity to continually learn and develop your skills once you decide what direction you want to go in.
Excellent pay and benefits – Not only are starting salaries in finance higher than average, but once you have achieved your additional skills, your wage is likely to increase to match your skill set. There are also numerous benefits to the finance industry, including private healthcare, insurance, and large bonuses.
International travel opportunities – Travel is another potential perk of choosing a career in finance. You may end up working in the financial department of an international company with branches across the globe, for example.
Fast-paced environment – The finance industry works at an incredibly fast pace, so if you are someone who enjoys solving multiple problems, this sector may be the right fit for you.
Excellent progression routes – The more skills you acquire during your time in the finance industry, the more opportunities will be on offer for you as you meet the skill set required.
How to get a job in finance
There are a majority of ways to get into the finance field – the most obvious of which is getting a degree in one of the sub-sectors of the industry. However, higher education is not for everyone, and because of this, there are apprenticeships and entry-level positions available within the finance industry.
Networking and showcasing your enthusiasm for the sector at events, like the ones we host at MYP, is a great way to impress employers with your motivation and determination for starting your career.
What networking events are upcoming in Manchester? Our events can sell out fast so be sure to stay tuned to not miss out.
How can MYP help you secure your dream role in finance?
Manchester is continually growing and is an exciting place to start or build your career as a young professional. At MYP, we will continue to shine a light on its various businesses, sectors, and opportunities.
To be kept up to date with our networking events for young professionals, follow us on Instagram or simply get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!
