Business Savvy » Looking for a New Job? Opportunities Exist if You Know Where to Look

Looking for a New Job? Opportunities Exist if You Know Where to Look | Business Savvy

Aug 15 2009

Looking for a New Job? Opportunities Exist if You Know Where to Look

Published by Jennifer at 3:57 pm under Careers, Changing Careers, Employment

(ARA) – In today’s challenging economy, a number of people find themselves looking for a new job. Not only are job losses on the rise, many are finding that rapid changes in the corporate landscape have left them ill-equipped for a new position. Either their skill sets need to be updated or it’s too difficult to compete in a field with too many applicants. Yet despite gloomy unemployment statistics, some industries are not only seeking applicants who are ready to make a change, they are even offering paid training.

It may strike some as ironic that during a time when the financial markets in general have experienced so much volatility, sales positions in financial services are actually experiencing expansion and growth. Opportunities exist for motivated, success-minded individuals who want to attain more than a new job; for many it’s a chance to pursue a promising career with a future.

Personal qualifications valued over experience
If you’ve never worked in financial sales, the prospect might sound intimidating at first. But the fact is, for those people who are dedicated, willing to work hard and are persistent, a career as a licensed financial professional can absolutely be the right decision.

There are many qualifications and transferable skills from other occupations that can give you a leading edge in the financial services field. Someone with a background in network marketing or public relations, for example, may have key relationship building skills. Those with a customer service or sales background could also be a good fit. Even fields that don’t seem obviously compatible like teaching and counseling could give an individual the kind of excellent listening skills needed to succeed as a financial professional. And since employers typically look for a staff of professionals that mirrors the communities they serve, the field is wide open to people from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

A timely opportunity
The timing for entering the financial sales field has never been better. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment field for personal financial advisers is projected to grow by 41 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. For one thing, increasing numbers of advisers will be needed to assist the millions of workers expected to retire in the next 10 years.

“As more members of the large baby boom generation reach their peak years of retirement savings, personal investments are expected to increase and more people will seek the help of experts,” says John Greene, president, agency distribution with The Prudential Insurance Company of America. “Plus, since many companies have replaced traditional pension plans with retirement savings programs, more individuals are managing their own funds, creating jobs for advisers.”

What motivates you?
Everyone wants to feel that their work has meaning and that they are somehow making a contribution to the greater good. Embarking on a new career as a financial services sales professional can offer significant rewards as you help others achieve their financial goals. Planning for retirement; saving for college; purchasing life and disability insurance; estate planning — these topics are all on the forefront of nearly everyone’s mind right now. Training for a career in financial services sales is an opportunity to meet a marketplace demand that will only increase in the coming years. If you are looking for a rewarding, career with the potential for long-term growth, a sales position in financial services may be just what you’ve been looking for.

To learn more about a position as a financial professional call (877) 569-9623 or e-mail afinancialservicescareer@prudential.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: financial professional, financial services, looking for a new job, sales positions in financial services