Jobs in FinTech: A career with a future

25 Sep Jobs in FinTech: A career with a future

Jobs in financial technology (FinTech) companies are more attractive than ever. Here are a few tips for finding a job in this promising field.

Canada’s FinTech industry is gaining in importance on the world stage and now numbers over 1,200 companies. In fact, Montréal is one of the country’s leading FinTech hubs.

In a brief presented to the Québec government in 2022, Finance Montréal estimated that “the Fintech sector is poised for significant expansion over the next 10 years, including the creation of high value-added jobs with superior pay.”

We asked Lyne Groulx to share her tips with job seekers in this field. Ms. Groulx is Strategic Talent Acquisition Partner at Croesus, the Canadian leader in WealthTech, a branch of FinTech.

Croesus (C): What is WealthTech and who is it for?

Lyne Groulx (LG): WealthTech companies develop operating systems and software applications that automate processes and help develop investment strategies. Some of these tools are designed for direct use by investors. Others are aimed at wealth management professionals.

Developing and marketing WealthTech solutions take place in a fast-paced environment that requires constant learning about new technologies. Since the status quo is not an option, it’s for people who want to be stimulated, challenged, and encouraged to grow.

Developers and programmers interested in mathematics, finance, algorithms, mega data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and many other technology trends can find their niche here. This is one of the advantages of WealthTechs. You can explore various facets within the same organization and sometimes within the same project life cycle.

Many WealthTech companies are start-ups with challenging but somewhat insecure jobs. Some of the bigger players are more mature, financially stable, and quite attractive. One such company is Croesus, founded in 1987.

Our products are aimed at investment advisors and portfolio managers, and the user experience is at the heart of our mission. This requires us to develop highly competitive and sophisticated IT systems, with particular attention to security and regulations.

C: What advice would you give to someone looking for a FinTech job?

LG: In today’s environment, the challenge is not to find a job in IT, but to find the right one. In other words, a job that meets your expectations and allows you to flourish.

So, the first step is to have a job search strategy, starting with good planning. First of all, you need to do your research and decide which employers interest you and fit your profile. Among other things, you have to match your values with the company’s values.

It’s important to draw up a list of your interests and the skills you want to develop. You can also make a list of the criteria most important to you, such as whether you want to work remotely, in person, or in hybrid mode. For example, if telework isn’t restricted to a single location, your need to develop relationships with co-workers may not be met.

This will determine whether or not you should focus your search on an area close to home.

Some companies, like Croesus, offer the best of both worlds by giving employees the freedom to choose which option they prefer.

The best way to find out more about a particular area of business is to use your network. You can talk to former classmates or co-workers, especially on LinkedIn. Those already working in FinTech can share their day-to-day experiences with you, point you to job opportunities, and give you references.

Continuing education is also a good way of maintaining your network of professional contacts, particularly when you’re looking for a job or even if you’re in a secure job. In this way, you can stay connected with your field and keep in touch with people who are interested in the same things as you are.

C: How to write an effective job application?

LG: Whether it’s an unsolicited application, an application to an open position, or an internship, the important thing is to stand out from the crowd. This means highlighting why your application is unique and interesting.

Using keywords relevant to the job you’re looking for is an effective way to make your application stand out. When an employer reviews a résumé or a profile on a professional social network, the first thing they look for is details about your education, skills set, and job-related achievements. They also look at your career goals and why you want to change jobs.

Make no mistake: Everything is under the microscope, including your presentation, timelines, and how you put it all together.

C: What should be included in a résumé?

LG: A résumé that’s too sparse is no better than a résumé that’s too detailed. You need to strike the right balance by including just enough information so that the recruiter quickly knows who they’re dealing with.

One good way to do this is to briefly outline your previous job history. You can describe the company, your responsibilities, your achievements, and, above all, the technology tools you used.

Skills-based presentations are usually reserved for consultants to showcase their general expertise. For more permanent jobs, a reverse chronological presentation is preferred, with the most relevant experiences listed first. This means you can leave out your student jobs, even if they were your first work experiences.

A résumé should allow recruiters to make links between dates and retrace your career path. You should also try to draw a common thread. For example, present your knowledge and work experience related to the field you want to work in. This is particularly true when changing industry sectors.

Want to know if your résumé fits the bill? Show it to someone you know, and ask for constructive feedback.

C: Are there other ways to stand out?

LG: The human-centric approach has great appeal and prevents your application from getting lost in the crowd. You can try to make first contact by phone or start a conversation on LinkedIn, for example.

As employers, we participate in a number of industry events to recruit employees and interns. These events often bring together experts in artificial intelligence or IT recruitment, for example.

They’re excellent opportunities to discover potential employers and get a feel for a particular field of activity.

In fact, I’ve even received applications from people I’ve met several times at similar events. One candidate crossed my path three times in the space of six months at these events, and each time he came to see me. His dedication struck a chord with me. I gave him some career advice, and we ended up recruiting him when he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Some employers also organize open houses to make contact with potential candidates.

C: Is the FinTech sector open to candidates from immigrant backgrounds?

LG: Our industry is unique in that the technical skills, computing systems, programming language, and ways of doing things, such as the Agile method, are used all over the world. This means we can hire candidates as soon as they’re in Canada, as long as they speak our language.

Croesus recognizes experience acquired abroad. We simply ask candidates to be able to draw parallels between their experience and the technologies we use and types of projects we work on.
There are lots of ways to do this, for example, by presenting a portfolio or GitHub of the projects the candidate has worked on.

However, newcomers need to adapt their résumés to the North American market. They must also pay particular attention to putting their roles and responsibilities in context. This is especially true when a previous employer is not well known in Canada.

Someone who’s held a vice-president’s job title in an IT company should clearly mention whether it’s a start-up or a larger company.

The position could read as follows: “Vice-President, Information Technology. 200-employee company focused on financial software development.”

C: How to make the most of an interview?

LG: As an employer, I look for candidates who are prepared and able to convey their career path effectively. It shows that they have a clear understanding of the link between their career paths and our needs. A candidate who is well prepared is a candidate who can demonstrate their added value.

To do this, you need to take the time to find out about the company. While some candidates talk too much in interviews, others don’t sell themselves enough. The best way to present yourself is to practice interviewing.

Many candidates arrive with a list of questions. Pay-related questions may seem awkward, but they make it easy to decide whether or not to go ahead with the process. In my opinion, authenticity is everything.

That said, the labor shortage is no reason for employers or candidates to indulge in arrogance, indifference, or disrespect.

A happy employee is positively linked to performance. So, it’s in the employer’s best interest to listen to their employees’ needs and pave the way for success so that everyone can thrive in a healthy working environment.

The best advice for fruitful collaboration between candidates and employers is to be attentive and focus on what makes people happy and fulfilled at work.

To find out more about Croesus and job opportunities, visit our career site.

Checklist for success in WealthTech

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How to find a tech job

• Develop a strategy.
• Target similar workplaces and employers.
• Use your network.

How to write an effective job application

• Make direct contact with potential employers.
• Be clear and concise.
• Use relevant keywords.
• Highlight your qualities and what sets you apart.
• Draw a common thread.

How to have a successful job interview

• Be prepared.
• Explain the link between your career path and the job you’re looking for.
• Ask questions.

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