Having a career in finance is a goal that many people have for themselves. It can be a very lucrative industry, and whether you are in banking, accounting, financial advising, or another area, it can be incredibly rewarding work. It can be difficult and stressful at times, but many feel that it is worth it for the benefits.

Many people in the industry are always looking to move up in their careers and move onto better and brighter positions. Not only can this mean more money, but also the ability to make a larger impact at work and take on greater and more diverse challenges. However, advancing in a competitive field like finance is often easier said than done.

With that in mind, this article is going to take a closer look at a few great ways to advance your career in the finance field.

Create a Better Resume

First and foremost, whether you want to advance in finance or another field altogether, your resume is incredibly important. While a job interview or test may land you a position, it is your resume that gets your foot in the door.

Your resume is all about making a good first impression and showing the hiring manager your skills, qualifications, and experience. Unfortunately, if your resume falls flat and doesn’t impress or paint you in a good enough light, you may find it hard to climb the corporate ladder.

You need to make an effort to ensure your resume highlights the positive results you have helped achieve and features as much detail as possible. It should be easy to skim through, and provide a ton of relevant information about you and why you are the right fit for the job.

Also, make sure you get the format and template right. In many cases, classic resume templates work best and you don’t want to get too creative or abstract with things. It may take time and a few tries to get your resume right, but the hard work and time are worth it.

Network Well and Form Relationships

In many industries, who you know and who you have a good relationship with is a big part of advancing in your field. As a result, it is incredibly important to network effectively. Every opportunity you get, you should be looking to meet new people and foster relationships that you currently have.

This can be at work, at social events, at conferences, or even at the coffee shop. Find ways to involve yourself in conversations, listen to others, and be present. You don’t want to be overbearing or annoying but certainly put in the effort to meet new people in your industry and create relationships.

Also, do your best to be kind to everyone and never burn bridges, as you never know where people will end up. Try to be a positive person, and always be looking for common interests in others that you can identify with.

Build up Your Certifications

If you want to advance in finance, you also need to show you have the knowledge and experience to warrant taking the next step up. A great way to do this is to build up your certification.

There are many different types of certifications that range from a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) to a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and many others. Being certified shows that you have the specific knowledge, skills, and education needed to perform certain tasks. Some of these may even be required to land certain jobs that you want.

Do some homework on which certification makes the most sense for your goals, and see what it requires. Some people may be better off with one than the other, but each has its own value for different jobs or positions.

While having better or more certifications won’t guarantee your advancement, it is certainly a major part of the equation and can set you apart from other candidates.

We hope that these tips are able to help you take the next step in your finance career. It can be a competitive and difficult field, but by making the right moves, you can certainly climb the ladder.