We’re all familiar with social proof, whether it’s your Uber Driver’s star rating, through to the hotel or Airbnb you stay at on vacation. It helps guide the decision-making process and make decisions that are favorable to us, knowing they’ve been vetted by others.
Career testimonials are no different and can provide a prospective employer with social proof of your abilities, attitude, and skill set. With a unique and indispensable perspective on your skills, professionalism, and work ethic, effectively setting you apart from other job applicants.
While qualifications and experience are undoubtedly essential, including well-crafted testimonials can make a significant difference in the job application process within the financial services sector.
So why are testimonials helpful?
Demonstrating Trustworthiness
Trust in our industry is paramount. Testimonials can be your gateway to showcasing your trustworthiness to potential employers. Recommendations from previous employers, clients, or colleagues emphasize your commitment to ethical conduct, which is essential in an industry where the handling of large sums of money and sensitive financial information is a daily occurrence.
Competitive Edge
Within the financial services industry, the competition for jobs in prestigious firms is fierce.
In this highly competitive environment, testimonials can set you apart from other candidates with similar qualifications. They offer a glimpse into your practical experience, showing that your skills are not merely theoretical but have been successfully applied in real-world financial scenarios.
If you have two candidates apply for a position, each interviewed well and there’s not much to choose between them, and one has a supporting testimony from a heavy-hitting MD from Goldman Sachs (for argument’s sake) saying how good they are.
Which candidate do you think they’re more likely to move forward with?
Validation of Technical Expertise
The financial services industry relies on professionals with a deep understanding of complex financial concepts, often concepts that can’t be fully flushed out in a 2-3 stage interview process given time constraints and timely hiring needs.
Testimonials can validate your technical expertise by providing concrete examples of your accomplishments. For instance, a testimonial from a client praising your ability to implement a new software and accompanying controls can relieve some pressure on the hiring decision and they can be reassured that you’ve done this before and are the right person for the job.
Reputation and Client Relationships
We place a premium on reputation and client relationships in financial services, especially on where you work/worked and the quality of your work. (E.g. Is it a Tier 1 bank? Are they a high-end fund?)
If your work led to errors or missed findings that resulted in fines or regulatory action it is incredibly detrimental to you and your potential next employer.
Positive testimonials from satisfied clients (if you work in consultancies) or satisfied past leaders can reinforce your ability to maintain and build relationships, which is crucial in an industry where long-term partnerships are the key to success.
Employers may also be interested in your ability to attract and retain high-value clients, which testimonials can illuminate.
They can also show your ability to engage those around you and if you’re looking at management/ leadership opportunities, it can be a great indication on how you get people aligned to a vision.
Enhanced Interview Performance
Securing an interview in the financial services sector can be challenging. Testimonials on your application can increase your chances of being noticed.
During interviews, these endorsements become powerful talking points, enabling you to provide concrete examples of your technical expertise, ethics, and client relationships.
This will help you answer interview questions with authority, demonstrate your qualifications, and provide a level of relatability/ human aspects to the discussion rather than purely hypothetical.
Conclusion
To conclude, in the financial services industry, testimonials play a pivotal role in the job application process. They provide evidence of trustworthiness, validate your expertise, and underline your commitment to regulatory challenges in the industry.
With testimonials, you can create a compelling narrative that highlights your unique qualities as a finance professional and significantly enhances your prospects of securing a coveted position within this highly competitive industry.
For more information on how to ask for career testimonials and to best leverage them through the application process email me directly at thomas@pinnaclecareercoach.com
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