Are you interested in a career Financial Services?
Regardless of whether you are exploring the financial services industry or you know your interests lie between commercial banking, investment banking, private equity, sales and trading, portfolio management, corporate finance, or a variety of other specialties, you’ve come to the right place to get started!
It is never too early, especially in the highly competitive world of finance, to connect with the Knowlton Center to get support throughout your career journey.
Continue to explore the Financial Services career community for more information, resources, job and internship postings, and upcoming events.
Students who are successful in landing competitive roles in finance have a few things in common:
- A strong GPA – 3.5 or above
- A professional resume and cover letter – Make sure to have the Knowlton Center review your materials!
- A well-established network of people who work in the finance industry – Denison alumni, family, friends, faculty, etc. Spend time connecting with those who are in the industry.
- A clear understanding of the all the different facets within finance – the financial services industry to vast. Take time to understand specifically where your interests lie and how your values and skills align.
Conduct Industry Research
There are many different types of opportunities and options to work in financial services. Whether function, location, or organization is your preference, the key is to educate yourself on the industry so you know where your interests may lie. Demonstrating personal and professional interest early in your collegiate career is crucial to finding success in the industry.
Browse the Vault Guides to research the financial services industry.
Network
Networking is one of the most important parts of a job/internship search in financial services. Connecting with people in leadership roles as well as entry-level positions will be helpful to you as your navigate the hiring process. You can find Denison Alumni in these positions on LinkedIn. Be sure to reflect on everyone in your network, not just alumni. Faculty, family, and friends who work in financial services could all provide valuable insight into this career path. For more resources about networking, visit the Knowlton Center networking resource page. You can also utilize the Ask a Denisonian tool to connect with Denison Alumni in financial services.
There are multiple ways to search for open jobs and internships with a few sites listed below. Please note that most financial institutions will want you to apply directly to their websites. While this can feel tedious, it’s an important set up an account so that you are in their database and you will then be notified of recruitment timelines and events.
Network, Network, Network. This is mentioned again because it’s such an essential component of the job and internship search. Don’t underestimate the power of connecting with professionals in the industry.
Tailoring your resume and cover letter based on requirements is essential to be a competitive candidate within financial services. Common skills and attributes firms are seeking include communication skills, quantitative skills, and the ability to perform under pressure. Demonstrating your knowledge of financial concepts in your application materials is also key. To get started on your documents, review our resume and cover letter guides.
Make an Appointment with the Knowlton Center to discuss how to customize your application materials. You can also drop in to meet with a peer coach Monday-Friday 9am-11am or 1pm-3pm.
Interview Preparation
Prepare, prepare, prepare. We cannot stress the importance of interview preparation for financial services interviews enough. The Financial Services interview is usually divided into two interviews. The first is the behavioral Interview, which helps the company and the student determine a values match. The second interview depends on the position and is usually some type of technical interview to assess your knowledge of finance. Review Knowlton Center interview resources for how to prepare for commonly asked interview questions and behavioral interview tips. Research the company/organization, current and previous projects they’ve worked on, and even the people that you’re interviewing with. You will also be expected to discuss which area of Financial Services you are interested and why.
To prepare for technical interview questions, make sure you study financial concepts such as general accounting principles, the three financial statements, discounted cash flows, leveraged buyouts, etc. Many students find that Mergers and Inquisitions has many helpful resources.
Utilize the Knowlton Center by scheduling a mock interview. The more you practice answering questions, the more comfortable you will be during your interview. We are here to help!
Many full-time positions at financial institutions are hired through the junior internship recruiting programs. The recruitment timelines are moving increasingly into spring and summer of sophomore year meaning you could be hired a full year before the start of an internship. Please have your resume and cover letter reviewed by the Knowlton Center by early spring semester of sophomore year to be ready to apply. It’s key to to stay up to date through Knowlton Connect (subscribe here) paying close attention to the weekly newsletters and Handshake for deadlines. As previously mentioned, creating a profile through your target employers recruitment websites will also help you stay informed.
Guidance for Application Deadlines
| Class Year | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| First-Year/Sophomore Internship | October-April (limited opportunities) |
| Junior Internship – Competitive Opportunities | Spring of Sophomore year (especially Investment Banking, Private Equity) – November of Junior Year |
| Junior Internship – Other Finance Opportunities | Spring of Sophomore Year – April of Junior Year |
| Senior Full-Time – Most Competitive Opportunities | Spring of Junior Year – December of Senior Year |
| Senior Full-Time – Other Finance Opportunities | Spring of Junior Year – May of Senior Year |
There are many resources available to you at Denison to develop your professional skills for interview and job preparation. The following skill-building options are free to students.
Wall Street Prep – Wall Street Prep is Financial Modeling training including online courses and boot camps to prepare students for future finance careers. Denison has a limited number of licenses available for student use. This is an amazing platform that is also used by many employers to train interns and entry-level analysts. Take advantage of this opportunity! Contact Jillian Yoder, yoderj@denison.edu for more information.
LinkedIn Learning – LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos. You can specifically search courses related to financial modeling, Excel skills, and more. This can be particularly helpful as you prepare for technical interview.
Bloomberg Terminal – Bloomberg Terminals are available for students to do research, and gain certifications and real-life skills to prepare them well for financial professions across the nation and the globe. Students and faculty from all disciplines can access the data and information available on the eight Bloomberg Terminals across campus. Four are located in Fellows Hall, and available 24/7 with a Denison ID card. The remaining four are in the Doane Library Learning Commons and are accessible during library open hours.
Denison Edge – Denison Edge, located in downtown Columbus, is an extension of the Knowlton Center.The skill-building programs allow you to dive deep into your preferred profession and advance with highly competitive skill sets and earn credentials to showcase your talent. You can obtain multiple credentials to build a career portfolio that fits your specific goals.
