If you started out in basic financial service job- what do you do now?

[mrstickletum]

I'm starting a new job in this area, call
Centre. Im hoping it leads me into a new career pathway as I'd really like to get into a professional setting ( current ly hospitality) if you started off in this type of work what do you do now, or what type of jobs become available to people in this line of work?

I work for an MP and am an elected councillor so finance obviously wasn't for me. DH, who I met at the call centre, now works as head of department in that field. Call centre work has always been a good foot in the door to move to other departments. Once you're settled, ask if you can shadow other teams to learn about what they do.

@WelshNerd thanks so v much for replying to me. Did it take your DH long to move into this role etc?

Business assurance/audit. Others I know went on to change, pricing, actuarial, marketing departments etc or moved upwards into operations leadership.

Compliance / Risk for DH and Business Intelligence for me.

@Iwritethissittinginthekitchensink thanks for that. I am only starting out in this area but I like little goals to aim
For

I started working in a bank, that was 8 years ago. Now I work in a customer service roll for the FSCS. I have moved laterally rather than up, so far.

@Marmite27 may I ask, did you need a degree to get to this level or can you work your way up? Sounds such an interesting field to work in

I started as a trainee mortgage adviser straight out of A levels, no degree - I'm now the Compliance Director for a national firm of financial advisers.

@JanesSadLittleLife well
Done you! I love hear success stories! You must have really stood out of the crowd!

I worked in a financial services call centre and now I am a data analyst

I also managed a call centre team for a few years. I, and my colleagues, were always proactive at spotting people who would be a good fit in other areas of the business and getting them the right support and development to make the move. I think financial services can be a good industry for that sort of thing.

Also if its relevant we had staff from the call centre move to

Marketing
IT roles
Compliance
Complaints
Finance (several went there)
Management roles

We also had staff leave to work for IFAs as well

Sweet of you OP, but it took me 30 years and about 100 different roles haha!

There is definitely an element of knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time. So to start, my advice would be, show willing, have a can-do attitude, get stuck into the things others are most lazy about, and be assertive yet charming - not aggressive. Watch those you admire in the higher roles and how they handle things. When you leave a job to move up a level, never burn your bridges and don't make enemies - even if you've been badly treated. Financial services is a small world... 😉

About 15 years to become head of department but obviously has been steadily moving up the ladder over that time.

Financial services is definitely a small world. I burnt my bridges

My cousin started out as a finance assistant in an office. Is now finance director of a school. She’s done her training in house over the years, she’s worked hard and made clever career moves.

A relative of mine started in customer service a bank call centre, then specialist customer service, now a senior role in compliance with same employer. Graduate.

Me - Financial Crime
DH -Head of Operations

Without changing my name, I can't give the role. However, I started in a banking admin job on close to minimum wage in November 2017. I'm on basic pay of £55K now pre-tax.

No banking qualifications.

Good for you. You sound ambitious and hard working. I started same as you, no degree. Took mortgage advice exams, then qualified as an ifa. Now work in investigation. Enjoyable and flexible. Pays about 90k full time. ( I'm part time) good luck with your career!

IT service delivery manager. I moved roles within my organisation into IT.

Still in banking. Not in London or the south east. Lots of overtime potential too.

@Keepitrealnomists I would love to get into financial crime- I'm sure it's v interesting!!! How'd you get into that may I ask?

@Puffin87 oh I'd love to know what you do. I'd love to have a really great career- you all inspire me so much. Any advice/tips you have, I'd welcome them with open arms! X

@Penguinsmum thank you so much. I enjoy working hard and having little targets. How did you go about your mortgage exams? Did your company pay for them ?

Started as a graduate trainee in operations in a pension company, now a global program manager for a large financial data company.

I work a lot with our call centre teams and a lot of them go into other jobs once they’ve done a couple of years in operations, audit, risk etc.I’d recommend taking any courses offered to you, both relevant to your actual job, and anything else within the company. Having an inquisitive mind and can do attitude with a focus on the customer, will put you head and shoulders above most people, and that’s who I usually watch out for to see if I can poach them for our teams!

@LittleMy77 that's sound advice- thank you. I really want to try hard. I'm 42 so I'm a little older than most people starting a new career but it's never too late I suppose.