This is how you get the job *you want* in finance

Someone recently wrote here about the struggles of finding a job when all you have is a first-class degree and good intentions. When I was a student, I prioritized work experience, and now I have a job. Here’s how it all worked.

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The only bit of luck I had was in my first year. I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted to do – I studied three different subjects! – But I walked in and signed up to the finance society, more or less on a whim. That was a stroke of luck, and a hell of a stroke of luck at that. They told me everything I needed to do: get some spring internships, get some summer internships, convert them.

The first internship I did was during COVID. It was all online, and I liked it. It was never going to be great, but it was good enough for the time. The second one was not only in person, but also abroad – and also outside of Europe (I’m based in the UK). I loved it. But they couldn’t offer a job at the end of it, for reasons unrelated to me or the internship.

So, I started looking for jobs in my niche. I got plenty of interviews – at one point I was doing 3 or 4 a week, back-to-back – and a lot of them lead to job offers. Employers really, really liked my interviews (and hey, I had plenty of practice across the years) and they really liked my work experience. They asked me what I did, what I learned, who I worked with. It was proof, to them, that I could work in the world of grown-ups.

I finally accepted a job, after months of applications and interviews, the other week. It wasn’t my first or final job offer – I got another one a few days after – but it’s the one I wanted, which is why I chose it. That’s the benefit of starting your preparation early.

I, obviously, didn’t accept every single job offer that came my way. If you have the right background, you’ll get your offers accepted – and you’ll have the privilege of choosing the job you want, not the only job that said yes to you.

Henry James is a pseudonym.

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