November advice for job hunters: Looking for a job in finance

A degree in finance can be used in almost every public and private business organization where mathematical aptitude and the use of financial information are required. Many individuals with a degree in finance often limit their job searches to banks, corporate finance departments and stock brokerage firms and do not consider mutual fund, insurance and real estate firms. Jobs in insurance and real estate may also require certifications such as CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter) and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), advanced degrees or specialized licenses. Jobs in insurance include underwriter, sales representative and customer service representative and asset manager. Jobs in real estate are in mortgage banking, title insurance, property management, real estate appraisal and real estate development. The non-for-profit sector also requires people with a background in finance. The current recession has reduced the number of job opportunities in finance. However, when the recession is over, there will be a demand for individuals with a finance background because finance plays such a critical role in our society.