How to sell your non-finance degree in your graduate investment application

Your degree is a piece of the puzzle; internships, extracurricular activities and having done something exceptional, such as setting up your own business while at university, are of equal importance.

Investment banks and investment management firms recruit from a broad academic pool because they’re keen to build and sustain a diverse workforce.

You may already be familiar with employers’ degree subject requirements. But how confident are you using your non-finance degree to prove you have the requisite skills and knowledge for your desired role? It’s important that you bring out the relevant parts of your degree (see examples below) to strengthen your application. However, remember that your degree is a piece of the puzzle; internships, extracurricular activities and having done something exceptional, such as setting up your own business while at university, are of equal importance.

Engineering and technical degrees

As an engineering graduate who has completed computer-based modules, you will have developed IT skills suitable for middle or back office roles at investment banks. If you’d prefer a more ‘visible’ position, the experience you have gained finding solutions to technical problems and working with numbers will be suitable for other business functions.

You should show recruiters at the online application stage that you have developed transferable skills during your three/four-year degree. For example, if asked ‘In just one sentence, what makes you stand out from other applicants?’, you could summarise the breadth of your relevant competencies (eg technical, numerical and analytical) that aren’t easily developed on other courses.

Geography degree

During your geography degree you’ll have developed a broad range of skills and knowledge that is attractive to finance employers. Among them are: research, data collection, analysis and evaluation, report writing and data presentation, as well as a good grasp of social, economic and environmental issues. It’s important that you emphasise this throughout your application. For instance, you can add your relevant skills to the skills section on your CV. You can also promote your skills and your unique experience in interview: geography fieldwork trips, for example.

Humanities degrees, such as…

… modern languages degree

Investment banks and investment management firms have a global presence, which makes graduates who are bilingual or multilingual desirable. A practical understanding of other cultures and the ability to engage with a wide range of people is also valued. A number of employers have said in their recruitment guidance that any additional foreign languages are a strong advantage .

You should promote and demonstrate the relevant skills that you have developed on your course, using examples, to stand out. Perhaps you studied abroad for a year in a country where your language of study is widely spoken and proved your adaptability, flexibility and interpersonal skills. Such experiences could also stimulate interesting conversations during interview, which will make employers remember you – many seek candidates who’ll be enjoyable to work with.

… history degree

History graduates will have developed plenty of transferable skills that are in demand by investment banking and investment management employers. In your application form and at interview emphasise these specific skills, such as managing and organising large quantities of information from diverse sources. This is the type of work you’ll do as an analyst at an investment bank. Research, analysis, evaluation, and communicating copious amounts of complex information succinctly and coherently are also the sort of skills that will be attractive to prospective employers, so make sure you big them up.

Law degree

Many investment organisations have legal and/or compliance divisions so will be keen to attract law graduates. If you have done a law degree and are keen to break into finance ensure you confidently connect your academic experience and knowledge to your chosen finance role in your covering letter, CV or application form.

You could highlight modules through which you have developed the desired competencies and knowledge. Perhaps you did a mergers and acquisitions module and built a good grasp of corporate acquisitions. Mentioning this will prove your potential and interest in finance if you’re applying for, say, a position in an investment bank’s M&A division.

Marketing/communication degrees

Did you know that investment banks and investment management firms have departments that handle their internal and/or external communications? As a communications or marketing graduate, you’ll find that your experience in public relations and writing for print and online publications will appeal to recruiters.

If other divisions across the investment industry attract you, such as sales, trading and research, apply – making sure you showcase your relevant strengths throughout the recruitment process. For example, as a marketing graduate you may have gained experience of product management and development.

Social science degrees, such as…

…politics degree

You’ve got a great foundation if you’ve done a politics degree, as investment banks and investment management firms value commercial awareness, a genuine interest in the industry and views on the potential impact financial, political and global events could have on investing. Additionally, governments are among these organisations’ clients, so an enhanced understanding of political systems and institutions will help you on the job. Your application and interview are great opportunities for you to display your commercial acumen and interest in the industry.