Cash in or branch out: how to get started as a banker

{"text":[[{"start":6.26,"text":"When you think of someone who works in a bank, what comes to mind? Is it someone who works as a cashier in a branch or a person who helps customers looking for loans or mortgages? Or maybe you picture a bank executive sitting behind a desk or working in a high-pressure job buying and selling shares and making lots of money."}],[{"start":24.42,"text":"In fact, banking includes all of the above as well as many less obvious roles, for example, in so-called supply chain finance. Without that work, which helps ensure that factories and transport companies are paid, the goods we need could not be shipped around the world. Or you might consider a role in risk management which focuses on trying to minimise the risk of potential losses a bank might incur if, for example, a borrower cannot repay a loan."}],[{"start":51.42,"text":"So what kind of job could you do? Arguably the best way to learn what is available is from the banks themselves."}],[{"start":57.5,"text":"In the UK, big-name banks regularly offer work experience and open days. For example, Lloyds Bank runs Skillsfest events on weekends at locations across the country for parents and students aged between 14 and 19 to visit offices and hear from members of staff about their jobs. If you cannot get to one of the locations, the bank also runs an online Careers Live event on the first Tuesday of each month and past recordings are available on the bank’s YouTube channel."}],[{"start":85.9,"text":"HSBC, meanwhile, aims at students globally and is advertising careers events in the UK and Hong Kong."}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":92.94,"text":"In general, banks advertise opportunities on the career pages of their websites, so it is a good idea to check these regularly and give yourself plenty of time to apply."}],[{"start":101.94,"text":"Once you have pinpointed a career that interests you, the next step is to work out what qualifications you need to get there."}],[{"start":109.54,"text":"If you are planning to go to university, landing a job at a bank does not always mean you need to have a degree in maths or business. Maria Kokkinou, chief people officer at NatWest Group, says: “We recently welcomed over 300 new graduates to the bank in the UK. They came from a variety of different degrees including psychology, history and English literature, as well as maths, biology and physics.”"}],[{"start":133.54,"text":"And for some jobs, you do not need to go to university. Lloyds Bank offers apprenticeships for students who have completed the national exams that students in the UK typically sit at around 16 years old, and supports young people studying T-levels, the industry-focused alternative to the traditional A-level school leaver exams, by offering a 45-day industry placement alongside their studies."}],[{"start":155.78,"text":"Many banks offer roles for school leavers or even on-the-job degree programmes, but these can be highly competitive. In order to get these positions, it is important to demonstrate interests and skills beyond your exam results."}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":168.74,"text":"One way to do this is through short-term taster internships, such as Spring Week, offered to undergraduates by major financial and accountancy companies in UK. The deadlines to apply can often be months in advance, so it is important to plan ahead. Some of them are only open to people who are approaching the end of a degree, so check the eligibility criteria."}],[{"start":188.34,"text":"Knowing the types of skills banks want to see when you do not already know people working in the industry can be hard, but this is where organisations such as upReach, in the UK, and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, which operates in UK and France, come in."}],[{"start":202.78,"text":"SEO recommends thinking about your future career as early as possible. It provides support in schools from around age 15 and above, and offers a week-long programme called Ignite for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds."}],[{"start":215.98,"text":"Outside the UK, many banks globally offer graduate schemes, and in some countries there are programmes for school-leavers too. UBS in Switzerland offers an 18-month banking entry programme for high school graduates, as well as events and taster days. Meanwhile in Singapore, both OCBC and DBS banks offer apprenticeships for polytechnic students which can lead to a permanent job."}],[{"start":239.06,"text":"Rob Darling, a Hong Kong-based recruiter for banking jobs, says that most banks in the territory are looking for applicants with degrees. Despite that, young people aged between 15 and 29 who have not completed a university-level qualification can find banking jobs through the Hong Kong government’s Youth Employment and Training Programme."}],[{"start":258.26,"text":"Building a professional network of people who work in the industry can help you learn about jobs and alert you when opportunities become available. While networking can sound daunting, you can start with the people you already know. Louise Preston, director of operations at SEO, says the organisation conducts exercises with young people to work out who they know in different careers through their family and friends. Seeing your own peer group as a network is also important, as you can help each other with building connections or finding positions in the future."}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":289.82,"text":"LinkedIn can also be a useful tool and can help you to stay in touch with professionals you have met during your internships or work experience placements."}],[{"start":298.66,"text":"For students, many universities will have societies for those interested in a career in finance, adds Sasha Black, junior programme manager in financial services at upReach, allowing you to meet other people who are interested in the same careers as you."}],[{"start":312.78,"text":"Iain Heath, head of emerging talent at HSBC UK, says even a quick chat with someone who works at your local branch can help you learn about what they do. “Careers fairs at school and university are a golden opportunity to spend 10 minutes asking our staff every question you can think of.”"}],[{"start":332.22,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1791646294_5361.mp3"}