Part 3: How best to prepare for a job interview in Financial Planning
The?Career Accelerator Series
Part 3:?How best to prepare for a job interview?
Are you ready for the best and boldest financial planning job interview in your career yet? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! The prospect of a job interview can be nerve wracking – we get it! But with these straightforward tips, you will gain the confidence, prep skills, and knowledge, to put your best foot forward when it comes time to make that memorable first impression.??
In this blog post, we will cover how best to prepare yourself and conquer any job interview as the best financial planner you can be.?
And remember for a deeper dive check out the full video to episode 3 of the career accelerator ??
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Research?
So, first things first, it is imperative to do research on the company you are interviewing for because, amongst other things, it will help you understand the company's goals, values, and culture. The interview panel wants to see that you’ve taken the time to understand their business model and how your skills match up with what they need. They also want to ensure that you have a genuine interest in working for them. Doing your research shows interviewers that you’re well-prepared and engaged with the interview process – Tick!?
A great tip is to research the interviewers whom you will be speaking with because it can give you insight into their backgrounds, experiences, and preferences. This knowledge can help the interview become more fluid and more of a conversation, rather than a Q&A. Doing your research on the interviewers also shows that you hold a genuine interest in the individuals, their experiences with the company and their career journeys.??
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“…that is something that lots of candidates miss out on, but it makes you stand out!”?
Elena’s exclusive insider tips from?episode 3 of the accelerator series?
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For example, look up your interviewer on LinkedIn, have they transitioned from a paraplanner to an adviser? How did they find that transition? Showing interest in their experiences is a great way to build rapport.?
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Prepare Your Answers!?
If you’re preparing for an interview as a financial planner, it’s important to be prepared with the right answers and information. Sounds pretty textbook, right??
There are some key interview questions that may come up during the interview process, so it’s important to know what they are and how to answer them confidently. As a recruitment company that specialise in financial services and mortgages, we have the inside scoop on hundreds of top financial planning and mortgage firms up and down the country.?
Here is a list of interview questions for financial planners that come up a lot:??
1. What experience do you have in providing financial advice???
This question gives interviewers insight into your background and experience level. Be sure to include any relevant certifications or licenses you hold, as well as courses or programs that have prepared you for this job. Also mention any specific industry knowledge or qualifications that will help make your case stronger.??
2. What challenges have you faced in the financial planning profession??
This question tests your ability to think on your feet and share any obstacles that you’ve encountered. Showcase any challenges you’ve overcome by explaining how you found innovative solutions. This shows interviewers your problem-solving skills and shows that you can handle tough situations. (Read section?Competency-Based Questions?to take a deeper dive)?
3. How do you go about helping clients reach their financial goals???
The interviewer wants to know if your strategies are effective and successful. Describe the process from start to finish, mentioning any tools or resources that help guide your work. Demonstrate how well-versed you are in the basics of money management, so interviewers know that you understand the fundamentals of finance and investing.??
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Competency-Based Questions?
When answering competency-based interview questions, it is important to provide an example of a situation you have faced in the past and how you responded to it. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills, showing interviewers that you have the ability to come up with innovative solutions.??
For example, if interviewers asked the question “Describe a time when you had to quickly resolve an issue in order to protect the financial interests of a client.”?
We would always recommend you use the STAR technique. It is a fool proof way of answering a competency-based question without going off-piste.?
The STAR acronym stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It is an effective way of answering interview questions that require you to draw on your past experiences. When using the STAR technique, you should explain:
?– The Situation: Describe the context of the situation and provide relevant details.?
– The Task:?Explain what you had to do as part of the situation.?
– The Action: Detail what action you took to resolve the situation and explain how it helped.?
– The Result:?Describe the outcome of your actions and explain how it benefited.??
“When you look at the job description, pick out some key attributes that you think are essential for this job and then build a star answer around that”?
Charlie explains some brilliant examples of the STAR acronym in episode 3,?found here.?
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Using the STAR technique is an effective way to answer competency-based interview questions, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and showing interviewers that you have the skills they are looking for.?
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Asking the questions, you need to know.?
Right, you’ve crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s on your CV, done your research and prepped for the interview questions. Now it’s your turn. It is important to make sure that your potential new employer is a good fit for?your?needs. It’s a good idea to come up with a list of your own questions, now is your chance to interview the interviewers and ensure that your values align with theirs. This way, you can be sure that the role they are offering is right for you. Do your research on the company’s mission statement and culture to make sure there is a synergy between what you want from a career and what they can offer.?
Go back to your research, what are the interviewers’ experiences? What are the opportunities for progression? Do they support hybrid working? What are the company growth plans for the next 12 months? Be inquisitive and be sure they are ticking all of your boxes.?
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A Final Tip…?
A final tip that is essential for efficiency when job hunting and increasing your chances of success is working with a specialist financial planning recruitment consultant. This will bridge the gap from you to your ideal career move, offering you invaluable insight into the specific company and their interview process. They have insider knowledge about the company’s culture and expectations, as well as interview questions that interviewers may ask. Finding the right recruitment consultant is also vital to understanding the current job market trends. They can help guide you in making informed decisions about which roles are ultimately better suited to your needs and aspirations.??
Get started today by clicking on the link for a no obligation consultation with one of our industry experts. Let’s build up your interview skills so you can confidently make the right decisions and smash every interview out of the park.?
Check out the full episode below where the guys take a deeper dive into all aspects of the interview process, from telephone interview prep to securing an offer of employment during the interview + much more!
Also available on?Spotify?and?Apple podcasts?