登录查看更多内容

What are the best ways to break into Corporate Finance as a recent graduate?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

If you are a recent graduate who wants to pursue a career in corporate finance, you might be wondering how to stand out from the crowd and land your dream job. Corporate finance is a broad field that covers various aspects of managing a company's financial resources, such as capital budgeting, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, and financial analysis. It can be challenging to break into corporate finance, especially in a competitive market, but it is not impossible. In this article, we will share some of the best ways to break into corporate finance as a recent graduate, based on our own experience and insights from industry experts.

此文章中的业界达人

由社区从 8 条内容中精选。了解更多

Toyoyuki Ushioda

SVP Group FP&A, Mapletree Investments |Founder | Angel Investor | INSEAD GEMBA'24 | Columbia Business School (PE/VC)
Yogesh Sakunia

Finance Expert | Trainer | Product Management | CA | IIM C | Entrepreneur
Maulik Nagri

Experienced Finance Executive | FP&A Process Builder | Shareholder Value Creator | SaaS Finance Expert | Profitable…

1 Build your network

One of the most effective ways to break into corporate finance is to build your network and leverage your connections. Networking can help you learn more about the industry, the roles, and the opportunities available, as well as get referrals and recommendations from people who work in the field. You can start by reaching out to your alumni network, your professors, your classmates, and your mentors, and ask them for advice, feedback, and introductions. You can also attend events, workshops, webinars, and conferences related to corporate finance, and connect with the speakers, the organizers, and the attendees. You can use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Clubhouse to follow and engage with influential and relevant people in corporate finance, and share your insights, questions, and opinions.

添加您的观点

Maulik Nagri

Experienced Finance Executive | FP&A Process Builder | Shareholder Value Creator | SaaS Finance Expert | Profitable Growth Driver
举报内容
You are the captain of your ship. You are the architect of our career edifice. So, build and nurture your network. Build your network. Email people you admire and want to work with. Tap into your college alumni network and the circle of family, friends, professors, and classmates. Find mentors. Nurture your network. Establish a regular cadence to meet your mentors. Use LinkedIn to update your network about your goals and progress. Send a "Happy New Year" message.

已翻译

赞
Balaji Venkatesan
举报内容
When in college, do an internship at an accounting firm. If it's a Big 5 firm great, but if not, that's fine as well. More importantly, get exposure to diverse industries at these firms and then network into other firms into their corporate finance team for a position upon graduation.

已翻译

赞
Karim Farah

Accounts payable Team lead at CMA CGM
举报内容
Build skills, seek internships, network, consider certifications, optimize your resume, maintain a professional online presence, stay informed, and develop strong communication skills to break into corporate finance as a recent graduate.

已翻译

赞

2 Enhance your skills

Another way to break into corporate finance is to enhance your skills and demonstrate your value. Corporate finance requires a combination of technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills, as well as a strong understanding of financial concepts, tools, and frameworks. You can improve your skills by taking online courses, reading books and articles, watching videos and podcasts, and practicing with case studies and simulations. You can also showcase your skills by creating a portfolio of projects, reports, or analyses that highlight your ability to apply your knowledge and solve real-world problems. You can share your portfolio on your resume, your LinkedIn profile, or your personal website, and use it as a proof of your competence and potential.

添加您的观点

Toyoyuki Ushioda

SVP Group FP&A, Mapletree Investments |Founder | Angel Investor | INSEAD GEMBA'24 | Columbia Business School (PE/VC)
举报内容
What you learn from school as academic knowledge in corporate finance, such as accounting and finance, and what you need as practical skills in daily corporate life, have some gaps. For example, even if you understand how financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements are interconnected, you might not know how to fix imbalances on balance sheets in Excel spreadsheets. Your co-workers or even your boss may not have enough time to teach you the basics of your daily work. Although there are financial modeling skills courses available to bridge this gap, they are not always sufficient. Understanding the business model in the industry you are aiming to be is crucial.

已翻译

赞
Sylvain Mestrallet

CFO | Finance Executive
举报内容
1. Finance Courses and projects (i.e. stock market simulations, financial statement analysis, any excel or financial modelling related projects) 2. Finance or Accounting internships 3. Networking and asking questions to alumni or people already working in the finance function for advice in terms of what is important in their day-to-day and broader expectations for entry-level roles.

已翻译

赞

3 Tailor your resume

A third way to break into corporate finance is to tailor your resume and make it relevant and impactful. Your resume is your first impression and your chance to convince the recruiters and hiring managers that you are a suitable candidate for the role. You should customize your resume for each position you apply for, and highlight your education, experience, skills, and achievements that match the requirements and expectations of the role. You should also use keywords, numbers, and action verbs to describe your accomplishments and quantify your impact. You should avoid generic or vague statements, and focus on specific and measurable results. You should also proofread your resume and make sure it is clear, concise, and error-free.

添加您的观点

Yogesh Sakunia

Finance Expert | Trainer | Product Management | CA | IIM C | Entrepreneur
举报内容
One of the key things fresh graduates should do is showcase relevant projects for corporate finance. These can be projects you have done in your college or in any other course or you have done it generally for learning. Remember to not just name the project but describe in detail.

已翻译

赞

4 Prepare for interviews

A fourth way to break into corporate finance is to prepare for interviews and impress the interviewers with your confidence and competence. Interviews are your opportunity to showcase your personality, your motivation, and your fit for the role and the organization. You should research the company, the industry, and the role before the interview, and prepare answers for common and behavioral questions, as well as technical and case-based questions. You should also prepare questions for the interviewers, and show your interest and curiosity about the role and the company. You should dress professionally, arrive on time, and communicate clearly and respectfully. You should also follow up with a thank-you note and express your appreciation and enthusiasm.

添加您的观点

5 Seek feedback and guidance

A fifth way to break into corporate finance is to seek feedback and guidance from others and use it to improve your performance and strategy. Feedback and guidance can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, your areas of improvement, and your best practices. You can ask for feedback and guidance from your network, your mentors, your peers, or your coaches, and listen to their suggestions, insights, and critiques. You can also seek feedback and guidance from the recruiters and hiring managers, and ask them for their evaluation, their expectations, and their recommendations. You should be open-minded, humble, and grateful for the feedback and guidance you receive, and use it to refine your skills, your resume, your portfolio, and your interview techniques.

添加您的观点

Sylvain Mestrallet

CFO | Finance Executive
举报内容
1. Finance Courses and projects (i.e. stock market simulations, financial statement analysis, any excel or financial modelling related projects) 2. Finance or Accounting internships 3. Networking and asking questions to alumni or people already working in the finance function for advice in terms of what is important in their day-to-day and broader expectations for entry-level roles.

已翻译

赞

6 Explore different paths

A sixth way to break into corporate finance is to explore different paths and opportunities that can lead you to your desired career. Corporate finance is a diverse and dynamic field that offers various roles, functions, and sectors. You can explore different paths and opportunities by applying for internships, entry-level positions, rotational programs, or freelance projects that are related to corporate finance, and that can help you gain experience, exposure, and connections. You can also explore different paths and opportunities by pursuing further education, certification, or specialization that can enhance your qualifications, credentials, and credibility. You should be flexible, adaptable, and proactive in exploring different paths and opportunities, and use them as stepping stones to your ultimate goal.

添加您的观点

Sylvain Mestrallet

CFO | Finance Executive
(已编辑)
举报内容
Internships are by far the best ways to explore multiple areas of finance (for example to decide whether you want to purse a career in corporate finance or would prefer financial market related or PE / VC types of roles). Entry-level graduate programs are another way to rotate within the finance function, learning about different specialties (i.e. FP&A, Commercial finance, Supply Chain finance, Controllership, Treasury, others ...).

已翻译

赞

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Corporate Finance

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are the best ways to break into Corporate Finance as a recent graduate?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build your network

2 Enhance your skills

3 Tailor your resume

4 Prepare for interviews

5 Seek feedback and guidance

6 Explore different paths

7 Here’s what else to consider

Corporate Finance

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Corporate Finance相关文章

更多相关阅读内容