Even if the ‘new normal’ is starting to feel almost routine, we can’t escape the fact that the job market is going to be somewhat different from the one we knew only a few months ago. To find out what companies will be paying close attention to when assessing candidates, CareerCast caught up with Fran Thompson, managing director of Pathfinder Talent, a Hong Kong-based search firm that specialises in the fintech sector. In this episode, Fran identifies the different types of fintech roles, pointing out that some are more disruptive than others. You will also learn about the vital skills needed to impress today’s hiring managers. What’s more, Fran offers some guidance on personality testing and how it can help you stand out in a field of equally qualified applicants.

These are certainly strange times, with the job market frozen and career progression on hold until firms gain more clarity on the future direction of the global economy. Amit Joshi, CFA, who is CIO at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance in India, looks past the current outlook and speaks on how aspiring industry professionals can take advantage of the current difficulties and prepare for better days ahead. Specifically, you will discover the best way to capture the attention of employers and learn why lockdowns can be useful from a learning-and-skills perspective.

We may still be in the eye of the Covid-19 storm, but the financial sector is quickly adapting to remodelled working practices. What does this new normal mean for graduates who may be considering a role in the industry. CareerCast speaks with Jason Ho, who is the global head of human resources at OCBC in Singapore. In particular, Jason tells us about the type of graduate his company is looking for, with a specific focus on the skills required to thrive in a post-Covid world. He also reveals how to be a star interviewee and explains why, despite having pitch-perfect qualifications, so many applicants fail to hurdle the first fence.

If you have a candidate or member account with CFA Institute you can find additional career resources at https://www.careercentre.me/u/lrf13x5r

Our various working environments may be unusual at present but operating in isolation does not mean we should stop thinking about how to advance our careers. For this edition of CareerCast, we jumped on a call with Franki Chung, CFA, who is President of HKSFA and CIO of a global asset management firm. Franki originally trained to be an industrial engineer before switching to financial services, where has progressed from investment analysis to portfolio management before becoming a CIO. In this podcast, you will find out more about the different attributes these roles demand. It is also an opportunity to discover what he thinks the impact of Covid-19 will be on our industry and how vital it is to gather new skills and remain as flexible as possible to see through these challenging times.

We remain in Hong Kong for this week’s edition of CareerCast, where we spend time with Ramiz Chelat, who is a portfolio manager at Vontobel Asset Management. During his career, Ramiz has transitioned from a broker-based role to one in the asset-management sector. If you are keen to find out more about buy-side and sell-side positions, Ramiz tells us what a typical day in the life is like for professionals in both of these streams. He also highlights the demands placed on employees. More specifically, Ramiz underlines the importance of clear and concise communication, regardless of where your working life takes you.

CareerCast returns to Hong Kong SAR this week, where we had an insightful chat with Nick Pollard, Managing Director of Asia Pacific at CFA Institute. Our conversation revolves around learning and personal development, why ascending the career ladder demands more than straightforward climbing skills, and whether there are alternative routes. With this in mind, Nick shares his thoughts on career ‘mistakes’, and how the brave among us can draw a line and pursue a more suitable path. After all, our customers are true to themselves and their values. We should learn to take the same approach.

CareerCast visits Auckland this week, where we catch up with Alister Van de Maas, MD of Russell Investments New Zealand. Our conversation focuses on the employment market in the country’s financial sector, both at an entry-level and for seasoned professionals who are either in New Zealand or returning from overseas postings. Find out more about the competition for places in what is a relatively small job pool and learn how Alister assesses candidates both at the application and interview stages. As a bonus, Alister reveals the trait most endearing in a prospective employee.

The CareerCast team headed down to Sydney to meet with Cassie Crowe, CFA who is VP and Head of Consultants, Australia and New Zealand, T. Rowe Price Australia. Our conversation with Cassie focused on the skills that are crucial not only for people entering the financial industry but also the seasoned professionals seeking to take their career to the next level and the importance of communication and how listening is often more important than talking.

Cassie also discusses the exciting opportunities in Australia’s investment sector and offers tips on how to prepare for that vital job interview and be an ideal candidate. 

Our CareerCast team was delighted to spend some time with Cristina Arceo, CFA, President of CFA Society Philippines.

Cristina is one of the country’s leading fixed income managers and a strong supporter of our Women in Investment Management programme.

In this podcast, you will learn why being a woman in the Philippine financial sector isn’t necessarily a constraint. It also offers sound advice on how to stand out from other job applicants – always remember that life skills matter too, so it’s vital to express who you truly are. And for those who are still unsure about entering the industry, you can discover more about the wide variety of roles available to young professionals in the fast-growing Philippine market. 

A career in investment management is not just about research and portfolio management

This week, APAC CareerCast comes to you from Melbourne. During our visit, we caught up with Leila Lee, CFA who is Head of Distribution at Square Peg Capital and an active member of the Melbourne Society. Find out why Leila is particularly upbeat about the opportunities for women in Australia’s burgeoning financial industry and her views on the importance of role models and how they can motivate us throughout our career journeys. From a tech perspective, listen to the positive effect disruption is having on employment in the venture capital sector, with developments such as AI spawning a host of exciting new job openings.