The finance industry may be associated a lot more with male bankers and men in suits making important decisions but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for women in the industry.
As with most job sectors these days there is a lot of emphasis on equality and getting more women into financial positions.
It’s little surprise as females make up just as much of the market for finances and have an equal share of personal wealth in most western countries. If you’re a woman with a big interest in any area of finance and thinking about a career in the sector then one of the following careers may be of interest:
Financial Advisors
Just under a third of financial advisors are female but there are now various recruitment drives aimed at increasing the number of female financial advisors to reflect the marketplace. Advisory positions can offer a range of enticing opportunities for those who already possess certain skills or want to develop more.
As a client-facing role it can be attractive to women, though it is important to research the environment and working hours beforehand. Stereotypical traits such as women possessing more empathy and being better communicators can certainly help in this position.
Traders
Becoming a full or part-time trader is an excellent choice for women interested in working within the financial industry. There is a wide variety of options for trading, from commodities and spread betting to ETFs and precious metals. Choose an area you have a passion for or are already knowledgeable about.
Thanks to the internet and range of platforms available you can become a trader from your home office. Doing so part-time, dedicating just a few hours of each day to trading, ensures you can have plenty of spare time to do other tasks such as picking up young children from school. Plus, if you’re good at it you can make a decent income.
Financial Planners
Becoming a financial planner is another flexible position, if you set up your own business from home. You will need a qualification and the knowledge to successfully pull this off and attract plenty of clients in the first place, otherwise joining a company is a good option.
Whilst in a client facing position you will need thick skin to accept rejection and be prepared for the often male dominated working environment. Still, if you’ve got the skills there is no reason why women cannot be successful forging out such a career path.