1 Learn Excel
With this, it’s about becoming as fluent in Excel as possible. When working in finance, you will use it far more than you expect. Even ten years into my career, I found myself in an advanced Excel course, brushing up on my skills. There is an excellent array of classes, both online and in-person. When I first started using Excel at work, I didn’t know how to do something fundamental, and I thought, for that moment, I would cry. There is no need for you to find yourself in this situation.

2 Learn Financial Modelling
This ties in with learning Excel and is its natural progression. Take a course (again, either online or in-person - Wall Street Prep is a great option) on financial modelling (DCF, M&A, LBO, etc.). At the very least, it’ll be informative. You’ll understand the intricacies of finance that much better. And it is a good base to go off of.

3 Network, Network, Network
When I got hired at Deutsche Bank, it was after more than 100 cold calls. I’d find their information on LinkedIn or Bloomberg. Then I’d introduce myself and ask them for a coffee. Here’s a secret: everyone loves a coffee break, and most people take one every day. During the half hour or so, I’d not only tell them about myself but also ask about them. Get to know the person you’re talking to. What are some of their hobbies? They may also be super into CrossFit. Maybe you both go to the same hair salon. Try to form a genuine connection. You never know who people will be in 10-15 years. All these coffee meetings will help fine-tune your interview skills.

4 Know what financial path you want to follow
There are a myriad of routes into finance. From corporate finance to research to trading and compliance. All work under the umbrella of finance and include financial components. However, each silo has its own language and necessary skills. A research associate will most likely choose a certain sector to focus on (Healthcare, Consumer). A trader might focus on metals. It is good to educate yourself on these various paths and what exactly is part of the role within.

5 Practice your own communication skills
At the beginning of my career, I went to a few meetings with Toastmasters. It’s a company that helps people improve their presentation skills. You both give and receive feedback after delivering a speech of some kind. My feedback was helpful. Without realising it, I waved my arms with a bit too much animation while speaking. Listeners found it distracting. Going forward, I was cognizant of this. You may be adjusting your glasses or flicking your hair a little too much without realising it.

6 Ethics
Have ethics. Reputation is everything in finance. Don’t be the person who yells at subordinates. Don’t try to role-play the movie Wall Street. You will quickly find yourself out of a job, or worse, in prison.

7 Never microwave fish (huge office tip!)
This is one of the biggest faux pas one can make in an office setting. Don’t do it. If you want fish, eat raw or go out of the office for it. For some reason, the carpets in offices retain the fishy scent for far longer than one expects. You can’t get away from it. It is a nightmare.

ABOUT JORDAN CRACKNELL

Jordan Cracknell is a UK-based financier and author who advocates for more women to enter finance and excel in the industry. A native New Yorker, she is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and also has an MSc in Finance from Baruch College in New York.

She has written a children’s book - You Can Count On Penny - to try to spread this message far and wide and to encourage young people to explore opportunities for themselves, even if everything they see subconsciously tells them these roles are for other people and not them. 

The proceeds from her book are donated to Education and Employers, a UK charity which aims to provide young people with the inspiration, motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to help them achieve their potential.