For anyone new to the BTS Careers Zone, this is a space where we share information, advice and guidance on all things to do with getting in and getting on in careers in financial planning. One of the things BTS are asked a lot about is, how do I find a trainee financial adviser role? Then the next question is often, how do I make a good application?
To help answer some of these questions, BTS’ Alex Langhorn interviewed Craig Townsend, Partnership Recruitment Manager from St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy to find out more about how to make an application and the type of candidates they look for.
By the end of this article, you should understand:
Alex, BTS: Craig, can you tell us a little bit more about yourself and your role at St. James’s Place?
Craig Townsend: I’m a career changer myself! My background isn’t in finance. About 15 years ago, I was a professional Rugby coach and the area I enjoyed the most was helping people and mentoring others to develop them.
I moved to St. James’s Place in 2022, and my role is to support career changers to become financial advisers. I love understanding the personal motivations behind career change and to help them through that process and realise their potential.
Alex, BTS: I think you’ve touched on some important things there and they align well with the goals I’ve got today for our discussion. In this two-part special, we explore:
I often talk to Career Zone members about how recruitment is very much a two-way path. An interview is a discussion, and you’re interviewing the firm as much as the firm are interviewing you. It is important to assess if this is the right for you and the company.
Craig Townsend: I totally agree. It has to be two-way. The best applicants are the ones who come prepared, and they’ve done their research.
Alex, BTS: So, let’s start with the practicalities. How does an aspiring adviser make an application to the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy?
Craig Townsend: You can make an application in a few ways. We have an application process through our website or you can make an enquiry through our profile on the BTS Career Zone. One of our team will give you a call to discuss next steps.
I like to see enquiries from people who have done their research first. I can tell when an individual is just firing out a lot of applications to various places because the CV or application is very generic.
Alex, BTS: Yes, applicants really do need to put the effort into tailoring their application. It is time consuming applying for roles, but the best applications are personalised for the role.
Craig Townsend: Totally agree. We’re looking for individuals who want to make this a career. It’s more than just a job. A financial adviser focuses on helping clients realise their financial goals over the medium–to–long-term, and those relationships take time to build.
Alex, BTS: What do you look for in an application?
Craig Townsend: We look for individuals that highlight key transferable skills. Over 60% of those that graduate our financial adviser academy have not worked in financial services. You can visit our website to learn about some of the industries individuals have transferred from. Each though, may have experience building relationships with others.
For example, I recently spoke with an individual that volunteers at their local sports club – that shows to me that you volunteer your own time for a given cause, support the local community and likely have a shared purpose with others.
When we’re looking at an application it’s not just about the work experience or education. I do look at education, but it’s quite far down my list.
It is sometimes those things you might feel worried to share, that stand out the most and I’m looking for that drive.
Alex, BTS: We often get queries when people first contact us here at BTS for exam support. Individuals might say “I wasn’t great at maths. Will that matter?” or, “I didn’t do particularly well at school, I did OK, but I wasn’t top of the class. Will that hold me back?”.
We talk to people about how, yes, the examination process is rigorous. But it’s not about your previous academics. It’s more about the ability to study and that is a skill set, especially for learners returning to education as an adult. Very often people who didn’t perhaps thrive in a school environment really do thrive later in life, when they’ve got a different approach to study.
Craig Townsend: Yes, I went back to university at the age of 28 and had much more dedication because I knew I wanted to study to support the next step in my career.
For someone coming back into studying, it can be very daunting, and you might need to test yourself at the start. Why not try the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) R01 or R05 exam to start with. To me, that shows us you’ve got early commitment, and we ask for individuals to have passed both R01 and R05 before they start their Academy journey with us.
Alex, BTS: To close can you share your top tips for a successful application?
Craig Townsend: A brilliant application informs us who you are. It’s not just an application that you could send to loads of different jobs. It’s a career and I want to see you in the application with clear examples of where you can make a difference and how you’ve made a difference in the past.
If you’ve worked in a client-facing role I want to understand your interpersonal skills and your relationship building skills. Share where you’d like your career to take you, what you’d outside of work and your personal motivations.
Lastly, I want to see you’re ready to make the switch in your career. It’s not easy becoming a financial adviser. I need to know that you’ve put the work in to know it’s the right move for you.
Alex, BTS: I love those tips.
It’s all about the personal characteristics that you’ve got that will make you a successful financial adviser in the future. It’s about interpersonal skills and relationship building and overcoming adversity.
As you say, being prepared to work hard is key. Sometimes examples of working hard come from our personal lives, and that’s why it’s so important for candidates to show you themselves in the process.
Huge thanks to Craig Townsend for answering our questions!
If anybody has any questions around applying for the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy, head over to their profile on the BTS Careers Zone to find out more information including some ‘day in the life’ of stories from advisers who’ve been through the application process.
If you’re still not sure whether it’s the right option for you, get in touch with us here at BTS, we’re happy to chat through your ideas before you make your initial approach.
Look out for Part 2, where we dive into the SJP selection process and exactly what you can expect.
Find out more about the opportunities with St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy, check out their Featured Company Profile page.
You can also connect with SJP by editing your profile and updating your connect with featured companies preferences to start a conversation.
Read Part 2: What does the recruitment process look like? Below.
