How to Land an IT Job in the Financial Sector

Key Takeaways:

• To secure an IT job in the financial sector, candidates should hone their skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, machine learning, and more.
• One should also focus on building a strong personal brand via LinkedIn or other sites.
• Professional certifications, such as the CFA, are also helpful.

Competition for IT jobs in the financial sector has never been fiercer. 

However, according to the BLS, the occupational growth for IT jobs is much faster than the national average, with 377,550 openings projected per year through 2032. So, how can you land one of these coveted roles? Read on to learn the top strategies for landing finance tech jobs. 

Understanding Industry Needs and Trends

Staying up to date with industry trends is one of the most important things you can do to help yourself stand out as a candidate. By understanding these trends, you’ll have a better grasp on the specific IT skills and roles that are in demand within the financial sector. 

Here are some of those skills and trends:

• Cybersecurity: With an ever-increasing amount of online data, there is a greater need than ever to safeguard it. 
• Cloud computing: This skill is necessary to help companies (especially remote ones) develop computer resources that can be accessed anywhere, from any device. 
• Data analysis: This involves analyzing large sets of data to extract crucial information to help make informed decisions. 
• Machine learning: This is a subset of AI that uses algorithms to help computers learn. 
• Blockchain: More businesses are turning to blockchains to complete transactions, as they offer security and trust. 
• User experience design: This skill is needed to help create accessible, enjoyable, and seamless experiences when interacting with a website or product. 
• AI: IT professionals in machine learning and deep learning roles are needed to help create AI algorithms to generate new content, such as text, images, and other media.

While building all of these skills can be helpful, hyperfocusing on a few can help you land one of the more unusual IT jobs. 

Building a Strong Professional Brand

It’s also important to develop a strong professional brand and online presence to help stand out from the crowd. We recommend building and showcasing your expertise on your personal website, LinkedIn, or a professional portfolio site like GitHub. 

Here are some things you can do to help showcase your expertise in fintech:

• Share content: Share news stories and articles related to financial IT. 
• Join groups: Join relevant fintech groups and participate in discussions. 
• Add skills: Adding skills, as well as requesting recommendations from colleagues and managers, can help boost your credibility. 
• Publish content: You can utilize LinkedIn’s publishing platform to showcase your knowledge by writing blog posts or articles on topics related to your area of expertise.

Networking and Professional Development

Building a strong professional network is one of the best ways to help land a job through word of mouth. We recommend attending industry conferences, joining professional associations, and leveraging online networking platforms (such as LinkedIn). 

Some of the biggest fintech conferences include Banking Transformation Summit, Fintech Connect, and Finovate. Professional associations we recommend joining include the Association for Financial Technology (AFT), American Bankers Association (ABA), and Wall Street Technology Association (WSTA). 

Leveraging Certifications and Continued Education

Whether you’re a fresh college grad or have been in the industry for decades, continuing your education and holding relevant certifications is crucial to showcasing that you have up to date expertise and are interested in career growth.  

We recommend checking out online learning platforms such as Coursera, Skillshare, or LinkedIn Learning for courses in fintech. We also recommend looking into the following certifications:

• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates a cybersecurity professional’s ability to design, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program.
• CISM: Certified information Security Manager is a certificate that assesses one’s ability to assess risk, respond to incidents, and implement governance. 
• CFA: Chartered Financial Analyst is a certificate that demonstrates one’s understanding of wealth management, investment analysis, and financial strategy. 

Gaining Specialized Experience

Of course, one can’t land a job without some relevant experience, so we recommend doing whatever you can to do so, as most job postings will require you to have at least a few years of experience under your belt. 

If you’re having trouble getting your foot in the door, we recommend applying for internships, contract work, or even volunteer projects. We recommend checking out VolunteerMatch or FintechWomen for volunteer and internship opportunities. 

Crafting a Standout Resume and Cover Letter

To get to the interview stage, you need to make sure you have a resume and cover letter that stands out from the crowd. 

Here are some tips:

• Tailor your resume to align with the company’s specific needs (don’t just mass send your resume!) by using keywords from the job description
• Keep it short and concise
• Ensure your cover letter doesn’t just rehash everything in your resume
• Address the hiring manager personally

Acing the Interview Process

You’ve spent countless hours earning certifications, networking, and tailoring your resume. Now comes the final act – the interview process. The interview is one part ensuring you have the technical proficiency for the job and one part ensuring you’re a cultural fit for the company. 

Here are a few tips for acing the interview process:

• Research the company: Know the company’s values, goals, and mission before the interview so you can answer questions with confidence. 
• Research the interviewer: If possible, look into the interviewer’s background to help build rapport. 
• Prepare questions: Prepare questions to show your interest in the position. 
• Prepare examples: Prepare examples of successful professional endeavors to demonstrate your value and skills. 
• Send a thank you note: This is especially important to help you land a follow-up interview.

Get in Touch

While standing out as a job seeker in the financial IT market can be challenging, it’s doable if you take the time to network, build your online presence, earn the appropriate certifications, and focus on continued education. 

Once you have the experience to back it up, you can focus on tailoring your resume and cover letter and nailing the interview process. If you’re already ready to send out resumes, check out the job openings on the GDH website. Your ideal job is waiting for you. Let’s find it.