While it’s safe to say that the career of the research investment analyst has the potential to be incredibly enjoyable and lucrative, it’s not to say that every research investment analyst on the face of the Earth ends up becoming a millionaire overnight…or ever, for that matter. According to the experts at Research Water Cooler, one of the biggest problems with pluck newcomers heading into this area of finance for the first time is the way in which so many have a tendency to expect way too much from their first round at bat. And what’s more, others assume that getting any post at all is as good as getting any other, so rather than targeting the ideal post for them, they just take the first thing that comes along.
Now, there’s of course much to be said for getting a foot in the door as a research investment analyst as this is one of the most competitive sectors in the world. Any job is after all better than no job, but it’s only by targeting your search and application process more selectively that you can hope to nail that ideal post and hopefully go on to incredible things going forward.
So, with this in mind, here’s a look at a few tips from the recruitment experts on how to make sure the research investment analyst job you land is the job of your dreams and nothing less:
1 – Know What You Want
First and foremost, it’s simply common sense to state that you will not be able to get what you want if you don’t first establish exactly what it is you want and how you plan to get it. There will always be those who chalk up their qualifications and summarily fire out a hundred applications totally randomly, only to act surprised when nobody bites. This will happen every time, as unless you target your applications in accordance with what you want, the employer isn’t going to waste their time on you. Think of what you want and where you want to be now and for the long term.
2 – Know What You Can Do
Of course, there’s a big difference between what you want to do and what you can do – the latter being what will determine your chances of successfully nailing the post of your choosing. It’s one thing to have the intention to land a high-end research investment analyst role that guarantees at least a million pounds a year, but as a newly-started with no real experience out in the wild, your chances of being taken on at such a high level are zero. And by applying, you’ll lose any credibility you may have had with this particular employer. Reach for the stars by all means and chase those dreams, but make sure you don’t go biting off more than you can chew…it’s really not worth it.
3 – Use Specialist Financial Recruitment Websites
There’s much to be said for casting your net far and wide, but when it comes to highly-targeted searches that are guaranteed to bear fruit, it’s a good idea to do it on specialist recruitment websites in the financial sector. This is not only where you’ll find all of the very best posts brought together for easy access, but also a number of posts that may have been listed here and here alone. Increasingly, employers are using these sites over and above all other traditional recruitment platforms so it’s worth checking them out.
4 – Begin Making a Name For Yourself
It’s often assumed that you cannot begin making a name for yourself until you’re well and truly a part of the industry, but this isn’t the case at all. For example, there’s nothing stopping you from creating a blog, getting involved with online communities and generally making sure that those who need to know your name have the ability to do so. From social media to LinkedIn to guest blog posting and so much more, get yourself out in the open.
5 – Use Your Time Wisely
Last but not least, it could take weeks, months or years for you to get your foot in the door – this doesn’t mean you can sit around and allow yourself and your appeal to stagnate in the meantime. No matter how long it takes to get going in the post of your choosing, you need to make sure you use the spare time you have wisely. From studying at home to taking additional courses to writing reports to online activities and so much more, there’s really no excuse for glaring blank spaces when it comes to your activities prior to getting hired.
