Jobs in the financial advice industry have risen exponentially in comparison to this time last year, according to recruitment group Michael Page.
Michael Page manager of financial services for Melbourne Tom Brown said in the current environment, it was highly desired that financial advisers (those with specialist advisory expertise) had prior experience in banks or boutique firms as employers were hiring mid to senior-level personnel.
Brown said recruitment for financial planners ( those with a more holistic skill set) was similar as mid-level positions were typically being filled by professionals with at least two to five years' experience in banks or boutique firms.
"Specific skills that are required of financial advisers are a strong knowledge of equities with a thorough understanding of complex and technical areas of planning, such as asset classes, including fixed income, and a knowledge of derivatives," he said.
"Excellent sales and business development skills to continually grow their client numbers are also in high demand."
He said employers were actively seeking senior established financial advisers who had been recruited by a competitor because they had a proven record in successfully dealing with numerous clients.
"Lists of these senior established financial advisers are highly sought after by employers as they would like to recruit these professionals into their companies," he said.
"Employer demand for select senior professionals also allows employees to strongly negotiate their salaries."
He said his advice for job seekers in financial planning or financial advice was to be selective in positions they applied for and take the time to tailor their resume to focus on the job advertised.
