I don't need to interview, I'm a financial adviser

For those of us working in financial services recruitment, we all have our own pet hates.  I  personally, as a recruiter specializing in financial advisory or IFA roles have quite a few but then thats me. I'm joking of course but the main one absolutely has to be, candidates that haven't fully prepared for the interview they are going for. Now, the fact that I have a few pet hates doesn't automatically make me a grumpy old man, it just means that I have a lower tolerance threshold than is probably required!


How many of you financial services recruiters have contacted a candidate, whether from job board, database or even client referral, sold them a financial advisory position that would be absolutely ideal on paper, thoughtfully prepared them and told them everything you know about the company..............only to have them not look at the website or the job spec you've sent and when they get to interview, absolutely forget everything you've previously told them about the job that will most probably improve their economic situation immeasurably? Clearly this problem isn't limited to financial services recruitment, I've even done it myself, a long time ago mind - I think it was going for my first interview.  It is however exhibited by candidates who believe themselves above needing to research and prepare.  Yes, you know the ones, the guys and gals who think they're too good for the role they are going for - forgetting that there are 2.5 million unemployed out there and that there will also be 15 other candidates going for the same job they are. The ones that absolutely know they are going to get the job anyway, whoever else goes for it.


Now, we all know that in the real world of financial services, this doesn't happen.  No financial adviser or IFA is going to walk into any job in a bank or national IFA firm. All it takes is a bit of humility, a realization that perhaps someone else, the professional, does know best.  Take a little time out to look at a website, research the company you're interviewing for, get your figures together, run through the interview in your head the night before.  Its not that hard and it doesn't take hours but the work any financial adviser or IFA puts in to pre-interview prep pays huge dividends at the actual interview.  90% of people don't prepare for interview so it should come as no surprise to see that the 10% who do, even if less skilled, will often be the ones that progress to 2nd stage or even quite often, get the job.


If you're a financial adviser, an IFA or a mortgage broker, take a bit of time, prepare for interview and you will see the results, I guarantee it.  Take it from a grumpy recruiter who could do, quite honestly, with earning a few more fees from the interviews he's setting up! Rant over!!