So You Are Interest in a
Finance Career...
Careers in Finance
What is Finance?
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Finance is the study of how to invest and raise
money productively.
Money and capital markets reviews the banking
system and the markets
Corporate finance deals with raising money for firms
raise money and what new projects to invest in.
Investments deals with the working of securities
markets and the valuation of stocks and bonds
The study of financial institutions considers who the
big banks and insurance companies are and how
they operate and participate in the market.
Careers in Finance
What is Finance Like?
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It is analytical.
It is based on economics principles.
It uses accounting information as an input.
It is international in perspective.
It evolves constantly.
It provides good job opportunities.
Careers in Finance
What Types of People Do Well in
Finance?
Finance needs people
who are good at
solving problems, who
are comfortable with
numbers and who like
to work with people.
Many finance jobs are
people-oriented.
Careers in Finance
Job Prospects
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The Job prospects in finance have never been better. According
to employer plans, 1997 is shaping up to be one of the best
years for hiring in history.
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"Brokers were paid an average of $124,000 in 1996"
Jobs that pay the most: "Financial Planner $144,935, Stock Broker:
$106,493" from Money Magazine's Best Jobs in America, February
1992, p. 67.
"Jobs that Satisfy: Bank Officer (ranked #2 out of 100)" from Money
Magazine's Best Jobs in America, February 1992, p. 67.
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Careers in Finance
CAREERS IN BANKING
Common entry-level job:
Credit trainee
Common mid-career job:
Commercial Loan Officer
Example: Banc One has hired a
number of students at salaries in the
low 30s.
Careers in Finance
What You Need to Make it in Banking
A broad understanding of business
 Good people skills
 Marketing skills and enthusiasm
 A strong understanding of accounting
 Backgrounds in corporate finance and
investment
 Good written communication skills
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Careers in Finance
Representative Salaries in Banking
Boatmen's
Bancshares
25000
West One
Bancorp
25000
Junior loan officer
33000
31000
Portfolio lender
40000
45000
Senior corporate
loan officer
50000
65000
Commercial loan
department
manager
80000
110000
Position
Trainee
Careers in Finance
Careers in Investment Banks
Common entry level job:
Stock-broker, trader or security analyst
Common mid-career job:
VP or Managing director.
Example: A number of students have landed jobs
in investment banking over the years at salaries in the
40-50K range (undergraduate) and 70K to 130K range
(MBA).
Careers in Finance
What You Need to Make it in
Investment Banking
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Good ability to analyze accounting numbers critically.
Good math skills (nerds taking over Wall Street in 94)
A good understanding of international and domestic
politics
Some good macroeconomics courses
Investments classes
People who are good with cases, especially
valuation, will make great investment bankers. Take a
case course in finance.
Strong computer and math skills.
CFA or Series 7 Exam Preparation
Careers in Finance
Advice on Investment Banking
From Kelly Kamm, William & Mary
"The key to embarking on a career in investment
banking is to begin preparing from day one... A solid
preparation begins with an investigation of the various
specialties within investment banking, such as
analysis and research, equity sales, fixed income
securities, foreign exchange markets and mergers &
acquisitions. The individual interested in investment
banking should educate himself or herself on the
background of major investment banks, keep up on
current issues in the industry and ask questions of
professionals in the field, academics and related
contacts."
Careers in Finance
Investment Banking Salaries
Job Level
Alex Brown
Merrill Lynch
Entry level
$90,000-110,000
$80,000-$125,000
Vice President
$175,000-250,000
$130,000-475,000
Director
$400,000-650,000
$250,000-575,000
Managing Director
$400,000 +
$400,000-1.5
million
Department head
$750,000-1 million
$1.5 million +
Careers in Finance
Source: Smart Money, August 1992
Careers in Corporate Finance
Common entry level job: Treasurer's
Assistant, Junior Financial Analyst.
 Common mid-career job: Assistant to
Chief Financial Officer.
 Example: Pepsico, Ford and many other
firms hired seniors into financial analyst
jobs in 1996.
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Careers in Finance
What You Need to Make It
Good problem-solving skills.
 Ability to deal with ambiguity and rapidly
changing environment.
 Strong computer skills.
 You need to enjoy business and
corporate environments.
 Many firms want technical and
engineering backgrounds.
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Careers in Finance
Typical Salaries in Corporate Finance
General Motors
Pepsico
Junior Financial Analyst
$20,000-43,200
$45,000-50,000
Senior Financial
Analyst
$46,910-82644
$60,000-70,000
Divisional comptroller
$110,000-172,000
$70,000-80,000
CFO
$200,000-350,000
$150,000-200,000
Careers in Finance
Key to Getting the Job You Want
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The time to start preparing is now. Don't wait until your senior
year to get going.
Read up on companies you are interested in.
Read about what is going on in the Wall Street Journal.
Learn to use the World Wide Web for job searches.
Start with informational interviews.
Learn how to interview well by talking to others who interview.
Do a personal skills inventory and build on your weaknesses.
Get involved in activities that will count on your resume:
 Good internships (pay should be secondary)
 Think of starting your own business
 Think of computer skills
 Leadership positions on campus
Careers in Finance
Interviewing Advice
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Present yourself well
Ask interviewer what they are looking for.
Sell your skills and yourself
Avoid arrogance (biggest mistake good students make)
Ask questions which show your interest
Try to tell something about yourself which fits the job requirements
Don't worry about being nervous
Don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer to a question (show
integrity).
Follow up with a thank you letter immediately which expresses your
feeling that a good match exists.
Greet the interviewer with a handshake and a smile.
Don't be put off by rudeness, multiple interviewer tricks etc.
Careers in Finance
Recommended Resources
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The Annual Reports of companies you would like to target.
What Color is Your Parachute? (good to analyze what you want)
Harvard Business School Career Guide: Finance 1997
 Discusses experiences of students who have gone into investment
banking
 Lists what specific employers look for in the hiring process
 Gives addresses and contact names for leading investment banks
and corporations.
 Book sells out fast.
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Convergence Multimedia: Careers in Finance. CD-ROM tells you what
companies are looking for, salaries and trends. Call (214) 258-6681 to
purchase or get in labs.
http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/dept/fin/osujobs.htm has more details on
finance jobs.
Careers in Finance