Junior FS Positions How long should you stay??

JohnnySideburns

Hi,

I was wondering if I could have a mix of opinions from people involved in recruiting in Financial Services as to what you consider to be the optimal length of time a junior Financial Services person should stay in a position.

In other words, what looks better on a CV. 2 people both with 8 years experience. One has had 2 jobs at 4 years each, the other has had 4 jobs at 2 years each. Would you be more likely to recruit the long term person or the job hopper or be indifferent?

In my opinion 3 to 4 years is the ideal. Any thoughts anyone?

(My query relates particularly to Dublin. If you're refering to experience outside Dublin, please state so)

Thanks in advance

damnyanks

It looks terrible if you are moving companies every 2 years. In the short term the pay benefits are better but you show you have no dedication to the company (Not that you should! But at least make it look that way.)

Paddy Irishman

What advice could you give to someone who is looking for a start in the financial services area, in particular the markets area? Been studying IT but would like to change. I'm considering the "National College of Ireland Foundation Certificate in Financial Services" run part time in the IFSC. I reckon this would be the best way to learn the fundamentals and get a foot in the door at a junior level of some sort at one of the institutions. Would you agree or have alternative advice?

mikemac

damnyanks wrote:

It looks terrible if you are moving companies every 2 years. In the short term the pay benefits are better but you show you have no dedication to the company (Not that you should! But at least make it look that way.)

This may be true but people don't consider this when they're in junior positions.
Within 1 year of me starting in a junior fianancial services position, 13 of 17 graduates in my training class had left.

Some are going travelling and thats to be expected when you are young.
However, if you want a rapid pay rise, the fastest way to get a years experience and quit.
Copmpanies in the IFSC are crying out for staff, you only have to look at irishjobs.ie for this.

I left my junior position and got a massive pay rise. Unfortunatly junior positions aren't well paid so staff will have zero qualms about leaving if a better offer comes up.

seamus

damnyanks wrote:

It looks terrible if you are moving companies every 2 years. In the short term the pay benefits are better but you show you have no dedication to the company (Not that you should! But at least make it look that way.)

At junior levels in most industies, two years is about optimum time with a company. You're there long enough to gain full exposure to the relevant work practices, but also not there long enough to become institutionalised - pigeonholed so that all you know is that one company.
That two years of course is a floating figure. When you reach the point where you can do your job standing on your head, you either push for a full promotion, or you move on. Whether that takes six months or 6 years, the principle is the same.