With colder temperatures across many parts of the US, and the festivities of the holiday season fading away, January can be a difficult time to stay motivated at work. These factors lead to what is officially called Blue Monday, or the most depressing day of the year. In many financial services hubs in the US, such as New York, Chicago, and Boston, freezing temperatures keep...

​Oh, December – it’s a time for jubilation and not applications, so the conventional wisdom goes. Employers are not in the business of hiring. Instead, it’s the season when faithful friends gather to share an unreasonable amount of mince pies and where work seems a million miles away. Everyone has heard of the holiday hiring freeze, but is this just another seasonal myth? Is...

​According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 23% of US companies offer sabbaticals. With this number ever increasing, there's no better time to bring up the conversation with your employer. ​Asking for a career break is rarely easy, but a sabbatical offers more than a chance for you to recharge. Time away can be a vital opportunity for a company to identify stres...

​Leaving a role within the banking and financial services sector for a new opportunity can be a bittersweet moment for both you and your current employers. If you are a valuable asset to your company, you will want to continue that reputation through helping your employer throughout your notice period and planning a comprehensive handover for your replacement.Read ahead for ...

​The banking and financial services sector has the potential for very high earnings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a Financial Manager is around $120,000, with further lucrative opportunities available in investment banking.If you work in the finance sector, chances are you haven’t reached the height of your earning potential yet, an...

​Winning a brilliant new role within the global banking and financial services sector is certainly a cause for celebration, but your first day in your new position can be considered an extension of your interview process. Now the pressure is on to sell yourself to your new team members, and reassure your new boss that they have made the right choice in hiring you.While your ...

The global banking and financial services sector have a very high earning potential, and those with sound commercial acumen can develop a successful and fast-moving career. However, it is now up to the professional to drive their own careers as technological advances transform the sector and remove the traditional career ladder.Self-motivated professionals may face issues in...

​If you have emerged from a rigorous interview process within the banking and financial services sector with a job offer and an attractive salary offer, it can be tempting to say “yes” before considering elements of a job offer which will impact on your quality of life.Even if a job offer has it all on paper, you may have seen a few warning signs within the company during th...

​You may struggle to keep your cool when leaving a challenging role within the banking and financial services sector. When stress has become too much, or you have secured a dream new role you can’t wait to start, it can be tempting to air your grievances when handing in your notice.Keep in mind that it never does good to burn bridges in business. Quitting a job you hate in a...

​​Interviewing at a banking or financial services firm will often include tough technical questions to assess if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle the role. For senior or crucial roles, the interview process can become even more tough with more candidates being invited to all-day long interviews. These involve a day with multiple rounds of interviews with...

​As the financial sector evolves with fintech and the market continues to speed up, workers can face high levels of pressure. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by your work environment, you are not alone. The American Institute of Stress reports that worker stress costs the American economy $300 billion annually in both long and short-term sick time and high job turnover.Thi...

No matter where you work within the banking and financial services sector, it is likely you will eventually face a toxic or difficult co-worker at some point within your career. This behavior can appear in a driven and ambitious atmosphere where stress can manifest into negativity and bullying.Being the target for bullying or harassing behavior can keep you stuck in a negati...

​“We’ll match what they’re offering.” It’s a moment that can catch you off guard. You’ve done the difficult bit, after all. You’ve survived marathon interview rounds, had your experience and expertise challenged, and come out on top – success, you’ve been offered the job! The only thing left to do was to rip off the band-aid and hand in your resignation. Unfortunately, your ...

​For many employers and HR professionals in financial services, developing work-life balance strategies that bring tangible benefits to the business and their employees can be challenging. In a candidate-led market, employees have more choice than ever, and after salary and job security they state that work-life balance is the most important factor for job satisfaction. To a...

Salary negotiation. Those two words fill most people with dread, but with the average salary up 9.3% from a decade ago and continuing to rise – can you afford not to negotiate?Women, in particular, are less likely to try. Linda Babcock’s book, Women Don’t Ask, revealed that only about 7% of women attempt to negotiate their first salary, compared to 57% of men. People who neg...

​No-one likes to talk about pay but are you missing out on a hard-earned raise? The average salary in the financial sector has increased by 9.3% over the last decade. Break the taboo and secure the pay rise you deserve. Start by asking.Know your worthBe prepared. Don't let impostor syndrome get the better of you and undervalue yourself. Likewise, don't expect your line manag...

​A recent speech by Danièle Nouy, president of the Single Supervisory Mechanism of the European Central Bank (ECB), estimates at least 30 financial institutions have applied for new licenses to relocate to Frankfurt. Although the city may not quite compare to London, it’s quickly becoming one of top financial hubs in Europe.Financial marketing group Frankfurt Main Finance al...

​It is evident that when it comes to work, millennials are very different than the generations that came before them. In order to support and manage this type of talent, it is essential to address the generational differences, to better understand their priorities and behavior in the workplace.Millennials all have one thing in common: they want to make a difference. Research...

Upon reaching Senior Executive level, the number of opportunities available for career development begins to decrease, while the competition increases. As you reach the competitive leadership positions, it’s vital to differentiate yourself from the other candidates in the market.In many circumstances, working with a specialist recruiter will help give you an edge when it com...

Many professionals are now considering contracting at some point in their career. The numerous benefits afforded by this way of working include flexible working environments, tax break benefits, and increased compensation. There are however also a number of considerations to take into account before accepting work on a contract basis.Whilst millions of candidates around the ...