Financial advisers basically do what it says on the tin they provide clients with advice on financial matters, making recommendations on ways to use and invest money. The role involves explaining the various products and services that are available and helping clients choose those that best meet their needs.

If you provide financial advice and work for an Investment Bank, you will be referred to as a Wealth Manager. If you provide financial advice and work for an Investment Institution you are referred to as a fund manager in some cases. If you provide financial advice and you work for a broking house, you are referred to as an advisory broker. The equivalent in retails banking is a financial advisor.

Some advisers specialise in certain products, depending on their clients, for example, selling employee pension schemes to companies or offering mortgage, pension or investment advice to individuals. Others are generalists, offering advice to clients in all of these areas, plus savings plans and insurance.

If I work in Financial Advisory what will I be doing?

Financial advisory may involve the following activities:

• Reviewing clients’ financial circumstances, current provision and future aims;
• Analysing information and preparing plans best suited to individual clients’ requirements; designing financial strategies;
• Providing clients with information on new and existing products and services;
• Helping clients to make informed decisions;
• Talking to groups and individuals about personal finance;
• Researching information from various sources, including providers of financial products;
• Promoting and selling financial products to meet sales targets;
• Negotiating with product suppliers for the best possible rates;
• Liaising with head office and financial services providers; liaising with other professionals, such as estate agents and solicitors;
• Keeping up to date with financial products and legislation; maintaining detailed records to comply with the regulations laid down by the Financial Services Authority (FSA);
• Producing financial reports;
• Contacting clients with news of new financial products, or changes to legislation regarding their savings and investments;
• Preparing and sending out annual summaries of investment and pension details to clients.

How do I get a graduate scheme / internship / entry level job or career in Financial Advisory?

Obtaining a graduate scheme, internship or entry level role in financial advisory can be very challenging and competitive – though very achievable by getting your application, CV, interview and general approach right. You can guarantee that ninety percent of applicants for financial advisory roles will not know how to apply, so getting your application in the top ten percent makes things a lot more achievable.

Approaching the company in the right way will make all the difference. Combining the right approach with a strong interview (and in some cases assessment centre) writ a strong focused tailored CV will go a long way. Make sure you have gone through the free videos on this sight by entering your name and email address in the top right of this screen underneath the video. Once you have filled this in you will have instant access to everything you need to secure your career in financial advisory.

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