| As the years have rolled on the opportunities for | | | | well as coming to terms with taking up a more junior |
| individuals wishing to join the financial services | | | | position. |
| industry have seemingly diminished. With life offices | | | | From here those able to build up their technical |
| contracting and their direct salesforces all but gone, | | | | knowledge and work in a very efficient manner will |
| some of the traditional avenues have been blocked | | | | often have the opportunity of taking up a role as a |
| for those seeking a position within the industry. | | | | paraplanner. Paraplanner jobs nearly always require |
| For a time the banks seemed to fill that void, taking | | | | prior experience so much as with IFA jobs it is |
| on staff with no previous experience, helping them | | | | extremely difficult for non-industry candidates to |
| study for their qualifications and providing on the job | | | | secure such a position. Being a paraplanner is very |
| training. Many of today's banking advisers started off | | | | challenging, requiring advanced technical knowledge |
| at a more junior level with a bank or building society. | | | | and the ability to come up with solutions to any |
| However the well publicised difficulties in this market | | | | particular clients' financial needs. In essence it is very |
| has diminished the number of roles available and left | | | | much like IFA jobs without the range of client |
| the sector with a stigma it had not previously | | | | contact so provides a great launch pad for those |
| suffered from. | | | | wishing to become financial advisers themselves. |
| So what of the IFA arena and IFA jobs? | | | | This process though is not a quick one as it takes |
| We are often approached by people from different | | | | time to pass the exams that are required to be a |
| walks of life asking how they can secure IFA jobs | | | | consultant. With 2012 and the RDR fast approaching |
| and the answer has always been the same; with | | | | these requirements are becoming even more |
| much difficulty. Trainee IFA jobs are never particularly | | | | stringent so those joining the industry are best |
| prevalent, even less so at present, so the most | | | | served by gaining their qualifications as quickly as |
| obvious and indeed sensible route is to firstly secure | | | | possible. |
| an administrator job. This gives a great grounding to | | | | Therefore it is vital that when candidates are looking |
| the industry where individuals are tasked with liaising | | | | to become part of financial services they have |
| with product providers, processing new business, | | | | thought clearly about the challenges they will face |
| handling client queries and preparing paperwork for | | | | and the huge level of commitment required, especially |
| the IFAs. It is also the perfect environment for the | | | | those wishing to become an adviser. There are major |
| attainment of the Certificate in Financial Planning, a | | | | sacrifices to be made, in particular in relation to |
| prerequisite exam for those looking to secure IFA | | | | salaries available for junior members of staff in IFA |
| jobs or paraplanner jobs in the future. | | | | jobs not to mention the time constraints of ongoing |
| However there are difficulties with such a path as | | | | professional study. |
| obviously a high proportion of administrator jobs | | | | So for those wishing to pursue IFA jobs, be |
| require applicants with previous experience. Where | | | | prepared for the hard work and a rewarding career |
| they don't salaries are reflective of this which can be | | | | awaits. |
| an issue for someone looking to change careers, as | | | | |