Searching Smarter Podcast: What Employers Really Look for in Finance Candidates

What do employers really look for when hiring the next generation of finance professionals?

In this episode of Searching Smarter, host Jesse Skaff sits down with Anthony Chung, Chief Content & Culture Officer at AmplifyME, to explore how candidate expectations are changing and what aspiring professionals can do to differentiate themselves. From the growing importance of practical experience and communication skills to the role of AI in recruitment, Anthony shares actionable advice for anyone looking to build a successful career in financial services.

About the speaker

Anthony Chung is Chief Content & Culture Officer at AmplifyME, a financial education platform that partners with leading financial institutions and universities to prepare students and early-career professionals for careers in finance. Through immersive simulations and employer partnerships, Anthony has spent more than a decade helping candidates develop practical skills and better understand what employers are looking for in today's hiring market.

Key takeaways

• Strong grades are no longer enough to differentiate finance candidates.
• Employers increasingly value curiosity, resilience, and practical experience.
• AI should be used to support learning, not replace it.
• Communication and critical thinking remain essential workplace skills.
• Candidates who focus on continuous improvement are better positioned for long-term success.

Why standing out requires more than academic success

For many aspiring finance professionals, achieving top grades has long been viewed as the key to landing a competitive role. While academic performance still matters, Anthony explains that it is no longer the differentiator it once was.

With more candidates achieving strong academic results and greater access to learning resources, employers are looking beyond transcripts. They're asking a different question: can this person apply what they've learned in a real-world environment?

Practical experience, initiative, and evidence of genuine interest in the industry are becoming increasingly important. Whether that's participating in finance societies, creating original content, launching a podcast, or seeking hands-on experience through simulations, candidates who go beyond the classroom are often the ones who leave a lasting impression.

The skills employers value most

Technical ability remains important, but it is only one part of the equation.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony highlights three qualities that consistently stand out when speaking with employers:

1. Curiosity
2. Effort
3. Resilience

These are the traits that enable candidates to learn quickly, adapt to new challenges, and continue developing throughout their careers.

As AI continues to level the technical playing field, human skills are becoming an even greater differentiator. Communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively are increasingly valued alongside technical expertise, particularly in client-facing and team-based environments.

AI should strengthen your skills, not replace them

AI has transformed how students prepare for interviews, complete assessments, and build technical knowledge. Anthony encourages candidates to embrace these tools - but to use them intentionally.

Practicing interview questions with AI, seeking feedback, and improving technical understanding can all help candidates prepare more effectively. However, relying on AI to complete assessments or provide answers during live interviews ultimately limits long-term development.

Employers aren't simply evaluating the final answer. They're looking at how candidates think, communicate, and solve problems.

The candidates who use AI to accelerate their learning, rather than replace it, are likely to be better prepared when it matters most.

Focus on the process, not just the outcome

The episode concludes with advice that extends well beyond finance recruitment.

Anthony acknowledges the pressure many early-career professionals face, from increased competition and uncertainty around AI to the expectation of achieving success quickly. His advice is to shift attention away from outcomes that can't always be controlled and instead focus on the daily actions that build long-term success.

Developing new skills, gaining practical experience, seeking feedback, and consistently improving may not deliver immediate results, but they create the foundation for a successful career.

As Anthony explains, talent alone is rarely enough. Long-term success comes from combining ability with consistent effort and a willingness to keep learning.

Want more?

At the Searching Smarter podcast, we speak to the brightest and boldest minds in financial sciences & services. From talent acquisition leaders and hiring managers to world-class professionals, we delve into all the ways they leverage top talent to drive their businesses forward. Listeners will walk away with expert guidance on how to attract, acquire and retain high-performing teams, as well as what it takes to be a part of one.

It's available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.​ So listen, learn, and let us know what you think.