Dunya Simões Published October 9 2026 Jump to comments section Print this page Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. So, you have set your sights on a career in finance. With fierce competition and recruitment processes often feeling opaque, getting a foot in the door can be daunting. Finance remained the most popular career choice this year in the Graduate Outlook Survey of the CFA Institute, an association for investment management professionals. While there is no foolproof formula, there are practical steps that can make the process feel more manageable and help demystify assumptions around breaking into the industry. Often, young people rush to secure prestigious internships. These schemes, however, are highly competitive and rejection might come as a significant blow. Applicants should instead “open their lens” and remember that missing out on a big-name programme does not mean they have run out of valuable alternatives, says Laura Brammar, associate director at the University of London careers service. “Do not overlook the less glamorous, less sexy experience,” she says. Asking to spend a week at your local accountancy firm, regional building society or “whatever is available on your high street that operates within the finance industry” can serve as valuable experience, she adds.
More stories from this FT Schools report Competition for best entry-level finance jobs intensifies Working in insurance guarantees a wide range of careers Cash in or branch out: how to get started as a banker Asset management hirers seek personality and skills Degrees remain essential for best-paid financial roles To build a well-rounded profile that demonstrates a genuine interest in the sector, Brammar also highlights free online courses and work simulations that can help students develop skills, such as data analysis and financial modelling, rather than waiting until they are in a role. Jennifer Davey, early careers recruitment manager at Deutsche Bank, says “intellectual curiosity” is one of the qualities it values most. One applicant, instead of mentioning a headline transaction, raised a smaller and less widely discussed deal the bank had advised on. The candidate elaborated on why the transaction interested them as well as the strategic rationale behind it and what they thought it reflected about Deutsche Bank’s broader capabilities. In this way, they showed “genuine intellectual curiosity rather than research done purely to impress”, says Davey. “The candidates who leave a lasting impression are often the ones who have taken the time to explore beyond the obvious,” she adds. Learn as much as possible about what potential jobs entail via recruitment events and speaking to staff while keeping up to speed with financial news, she advises. Free access to the FT for schools Secondary schools and high schools around the world have free access to the FTFor those without established connections, building a network is especially important. Shelly O’Gilvie, head of professional membership of the 93% Club, a UK charity championing social mobility, highlights that those from less privileged backgrounds can be at a disadvantage because they may lack the same access to professional contacts as more advantaged peers. But “it does not mean you should give up”.All students should, she says, be asking themselves: “Who is that first connection that [I] can find?” Even identifying one person and asking for 10 minutes of their time can provide access to the advice and insights that are otherwise difficult to gather from online research alone. Later down the line, those relationships may open doors. Mentoring schemes can take this a step further. O’Gilvie says one-to-one relationships translate to more tailored support, helping students “go behind the curtain” of the industry. Anyone who remembers the viral Tik Tok video Man in finance will know about social media’s obsess...
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing