Banking and finance
Applicants’ formal qualifications are not normally sufficient on their own as companies are also looking for additional skills and qualities: this can make application procedures extensive and rigorous. They want to see strong numerate and analytical abilities, excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as confident individuals, who will be able to understand and manage their clients’ expectations. An ability to make quick decisions whilst under financial and time pressure is of particular importance for those applying for trading or broking positions and all applicants should have a degree of computer literacy, since the majority of trading is now automated.

In addition, banks are particularly keen on evidence of relevant work experience gained through job shadowing, placements or vacation work such as internships. Any experience of managing budgets and client liaison, as well as endeavours as part of a team, or as an individual, are likely to be beneficial.

It should be noted that application deadlines for both internship and permanent vacancies are some of the earliest of the Milkround recruiters, usually before Christmas.

Insight from Morgan Stanley

When Morgan Stanley hire, their people come from a wide variety of backgrounds and all are high achievers who share integrity, intellectual curiosity and the desire to work in a collegial atmosphere.

Individuality is prized and people are encouraged to be themselves. Diversity is fundamental to the corporate culture at Morgan Stanley .Morgan Stanley place special emphasis on opening up opportunities for talented women, who hold many senior positions at our firm.

In addition to the common skills requirements of interpersonal, communication, team working and confidence, Morgan Stanley graduates should focus on developing their negotiating, networking and self-reliance skills.  As career transitions are more frequent, they require talent to be able to manage uncertainty and change, possessing the ability to respond to, pre-empt, and ultimately lead it. Needless to say, you must also demonstrate a real appetite for the job with a proven track record and relevant work experience – if not relevant to the role certainly relevant to the sector you are applying to.

Insurance
Insurance is a diverse career area and the attributes you’ll need to succeed in it vary according to the role you’re aiming to go into.

As a broker, you’ll be dealing with clients on the phone and face-to-face, often spending a considerable amount of time in client meetings and at events, so you will need to be a great communicator and have a gregarious personality. As well as this, you will almost certainly take a professional insurance qualification, and will therefore need to have the study skills and discipline to assimilate large amounts of information! Basic numeracy is also a must, as it is for any insurance pathway.

As an underwriters, claims officer or risk management professional, you will need to be numerate and highly analytical; and have the relevant skills and commitment to study for an insurance professional qualification. And you will additionally need to be able to exercise good judgment, manage your workload and be capable of delivering great service.

Actuarial
Like prospective accontants, those considering a career as an actuary must be highly numerate and able to cope with data and situations of considerable complexity. You need a strong background in maths (a grade B at A-Level is usually a minimum requirement), as well as a numerate undergraduate degree.

Actuaries must not only be able to acquire knowledge and technical know-how, but be able to deploy it – bringing their judgement and lateral thinking to real business problems. You also need to have the usual complement of business skills, reflecting the commercial environments in which they operate – for example, managerial, teamwork and communication skills. Finally, you must be able to cope with the rigorous time and pressure demands of studying for exams while working in a firm – in general this will suit high academic performers.