2 answers
Tyre
Student
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if I'm interested in being a loan officer or a career in finance field what types of jobs experiences or skills are employers looking for on a resume ?
I'm in 11th grade
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2 answers
Justin Shapiro
Accounting | Finance | Financial Systems | Non-Profit Volunteer
62
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Hi Tyre,
For a career as a loan officer or in finance, here’s a breakdown of experiences and skills to focus on at this stage:
Key Skills and Experiences for Loan Officers and Finance Roles:
Customer Service and Communication Skills: Loan officers work closely with clients, so experiences that build strong communication and listening skills are essential. Part-time jobs or volunteer roles in customer service, tutoring, or working with people are great examples.
Basic Math and Financial Knowledge: Understanding basic finance and math is crucial. Strong grades in math or business-related classes can show you have the foundational skills. If available, consider taking personal finance or economics courses.
Sales or Persuasion Skills: Loan officers often explain loan products and sometimes sell them. Any experience with persuasive speaking, like debate club, or helping people understand complex information can be valuable.
Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills: Loan officers handle sensitive and detailed information. Highlight experiences where you were responsible for tracking details or managing tasks, like organizing a club event, working on a school project, or even part-time work with a focus on organization.
Customer-Focused Mindset: Since loan officers need to build trust with clients, experience in roles that prioritize customer satisfaction is helpful. Volunteering, retail jobs, or even extracurriculars with a service component (like student government) can show this skill.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Loan officers often work with other departments to complete loan applications, so experiences that involve teamwork will look good on a resume. Mention group projects, sports teams, or clubs.
Computer Skills and Financial Software Familiarity: Learning the basics of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is valuable. You can also look into free courses that offer introductions to financial software used in banking or finance.
Problem-Solving Skills and Critical Thinking: Loan officers need to evaluate applications carefully. Participation in activities that require careful thinking—like math club, DECA, or even personal projects where you needed to analyze or research—is a plus.
As a high school student, volunteering in financial literacy programs, interning at a bank, or even shadowing a loan officer could provide you with insights. Additionally, working part-time in customer-facing roles helps build client interaction skills. Employers in finance look for analytical thinkers who communicate well and pay attention to details, so build experiences that show these qualities.
Best of luck!
For a career as a loan officer or in finance, here’s a breakdown of experiences and skills to focus on at this stage:
Key Skills and Experiences for Loan Officers and Finance Roles:
Customer Service and Communication Skills: Loan officers work closely with clients, so experiences that build strong communication and listening skills are essential. Part-time jobs or volunteer roles in customer service, tutoring, or working with people are great examples.
Basic Math and Financial Knowledge: Understanding basic finance and math is crucial. Strong grades in math or business-related classes can show you have the foundational skills. If available, consider taking personal finance or economics courses.
Sales or Persuasion Skills: Loan officers often explain loan products and sometimes sell them. Any experience with persuasive speaking, like debate club, or helping people understand complex information can be valuable.
Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills: Loan officers handle sensitive and detailed information. Highlight experiences where you were responsible for tracking details or managing tasks, like organizing a club event, working on a school project, or even part-time work with a focus on organization.
Customer-Focused Mindset: Since loan officers need to build trust with clients, experience in roles that prioritize customer satisfaction is helpful. Volunteering, retail jobs, or even extracurriculars with a service component (like student government) can show this skill.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Loan officers often work with other departments to complete loan applications, so experiences that involve teamwork will look good on a resume. Mention group projects, sports teams, or clubs.
Computer Skills and Financial Software Familiarity: Learning the basics of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is valuable. You can also look into free courses that offer introductions to financial software used in banking or finance.
Problem-Solving Skills and Critical Thinking: Loan officers need to evaluate applications carefully. Participation in activities that require careful thinking—like math club, DECA, or even personal projects where you needed to analyze or research—is a plus.
As a high school student, volunteering in financial literacy programs, interning at a bank, or even shadowing a loan officer could provide you with insights. Additionally, working part-time in customer-facing roles helps build client interaction skills. Employers in finance look for analytical thinkers who communicate well and pay attention to details, so build experiences that show these qualities.
Best of luck!
Akhilesh Unde
14
Answers
Updated
Akhilesh’s Answer
Great question! Starting early to think about the skills and experiences you'll need for a finance career is a great move. If you're interested in being a loan officer or working in finance, here are the main areas to focus on:
1. Educational Foundation
Courses: Take any business, economics, accounting, or math courses offered in high school. If available, join clubs like DECA or business-related groups, which often teach foundational skills in finance and entrepreneurship.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: If possible, consider taking AP classes in math (like AP Statistics or Calculus) and economics.
2. Essential Skills for Finance Careers
Analytical Skills: Finance professionals analyze numbers, trends, and financial data. Develop analytical thinking through courses in math or science and practice problem-solving skills.
Communication Skills: Since loan officers interact with clients, strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Public speaking, debate clubs, or writing for a school newspaper are good ways to develop these.
Attention to Detail: This skill is crucial in finance roles, especially in handling paperwork, understanding regulations, and minimizing mistakes. Any activity that involves detail work (like computer science or data entry) will help develop this.
3. Relevant Experience and Extracurricular Activities
Finance Clubs or Internships: Some high schools have finance or investment clubs, which can give you early exposure to financial concepts. Participating in job shadowing programs, internships, or volunteering at a bank (if available) is excellent experience.
Leadership Roles: If possible, take on leadership roles in clubs or sports. Employers value leadership skills, which show that you can manage responsibilities and work well with others.
4. Basic Financial Literacy and Customer Service Experience
Customer Service Jobs: Since loan officers work directly with clients, any customer service experience (like working part-time at a retail store) is valuable. You’ll learn about helping customers, understanding their needs, and resolving issues.
Financial Literacy: Self-study financial literacy concepts, like budgeting, credit, and savings. There are online courses and certifications, like the Financial Literacy Certification from NGPF (Next Gen Personal Finance), which can make your resume stand out.
5. Technological Skills
Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets: Understanding how to use spreadsheets is essential in finance. Start with basic Excel and Google Sheets functions, and as you progress, learn more advanced functions like creating charts, data analysis, and pivot tables.
6. Volunteering and Community Involvement
Volunteering in community programs that focus on financial literacy (if available) or other service-related activities shows initiative and a commitment to helping others.
7. Future Goals and Certifications
College Degrees: Most loan officers and finance professionals hold degrees in finance, business, or economics. After high school, look for internships or entry-level finance positions.
Certifications: As you progress, certifications like Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) are highly respected in finance and can further open doors.
Starting now with relevant experiences, gaining skills, and exploring the industry through clubs and part-time jobs will build a strong foundation for a career in finance.
1. Educational Foundation
Courses: Take any business, economics, accounting, or math courses offered in high school. If available, join clubs like DECA or business-related groups, which often teach foundational skills in finance and entrepreneurship.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: If possible, consider taking AP classes in math (like AP Statistics or Calculus) and economics.
2. Essential Skills for Finance Careers
Analytical Skills: Finance professionals analyze numbers, trends, and financial data. Develop analytical thinking through courses in math or science and practice problem-solving skills.
Communication Skills: Since loan officers interact with clients, strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Public speaking, debate clubs, or writing for a school newspaper are good ways to develop these.
Attention to Detail: This skill is crucial in finance roles, especially in handling paperwork, understanding regulations, and minimizing mistakes. Any activity that involves detail work (like computer science or data entry) will help develop this.
3. Relevant Experience and Extracurricular Activities
Finance Clubs or Internships: Some high schools have finance or investment clubs, which can give you early exposure to financial concepts. Participating in job shadowing programs, internships, or volunteering at a bank (if available) is excellent experience.
Leadership Roles: If possible, take on leadership roles in clubs or sports. Employers value leadership skills, which show that you can manage responsibilities and work well with others.
4. Basic Financial Literacy and Customer Service Experience
Customer Service Jobs: Since loan officers work directly with clients, any customer service experience (like working part-time at a retail store) is valuable. You’ll learn about helping customers, understanding their needs, and resolving issues.
Financial Literacy: Self-study financial literacy concepts, like budgeting, credit, and savings. There are online courses and certifications, like the Financial Literacy Certification from NGPF (Next Gen Personal Finance), which can make your resume stand out.
5. Technological Skills
Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets: Understanding how to use spreadsheets is essential in finance. Start with basic Excel and Google Sheets functions, and as you progress, learn more advanced functions like creating charts, data analysis, and pivot tables.
6. Volunteering and Community Involvement
Volunteering in community programs that focus on financial literacy (if available) or other service-related activities shows initiative and a commitment to helping others.
7. Future Goals and Certifications
College Degrees: Most loan officers and finance professionals hold degrees in finance, business, or economics. After high school, look for internships or entry-level finance positions.
Certifications: As you progress, certifications like Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) are highly respected in finance and can further open doors.
Starting now with relevant experiences, gaining skills, and exploring the industry through clubs and part-time jobs will build a strong foundation for a career in finance.