‘Times they are a changin’ – Bob Dylan They say time never waits for anyone. It’s always changing. Bob Dylan may have immortalized this fact through a song that was released way back in 1964 but even today we must all play catch up with the fast changing world all around us. Even if 2020 began pretty normally with the hullabaloo of a new year and prospects of a great year, by March, most of us realized that it is going to be the worst year in our collective living history. When WHO declared Covid-19 as a global pandemic and ascertained that the virus spread through person to person contact, there seemed nothing more to do but lockdown nations. That’s exactly what most countries did. Announced weeks of lockdown to contain the spread of the virus. Initially countries like Italy, Greece and Iran (apart from China) struggled to cope up with the virus that had spread in their country like wildfire. Their staggering response alarmed every other nation and everyone went on a panic mode to contain the spread of the virus. Wearing masks in public places became mandatory, maintaining social distance a norm while health workers continues to spread awareness about hand and respiratory hygiene. While governments did the needful to stop the spread of the virus, people all over were put on a back foot trying to cope up with so many new rules and regulations. The strictest of the regulations was the imposition on movement. Being forced to stay at home, preferably work from home and stay put in your place for months at end soon became the norm. Now that many months have passed since the strict imposition of lockdowns, several countries have relaxed their regulations. Countries have opened up to a large extent, allowing daily wage earners and low income earners to work while those being able to work from home advised to maintain status quo. There is no doubt that the virus is still at large, affecting cities after cities, towns after towns. But in the last few months, if there is something we have all learned is how to live with this virus and yet fight the tough battles (of livelihood and health safety) every day. Difficulties That Followed Lockdowns Of course, it hasn’t been easy. Not for the governments, not for the economies, not for the millions of working population and least of all for the students. When it comes to the latter, in most places, educational institutions have still not opened (and are unlikely to open any time soon). This means students, both tiny tots and young adults are having to learn from home. While for the younger ones may be enjoying staying at home, avoiding the rigmaroles of formal schooling, the young adults haven’t been so fortunate. They have found themselves in muddy waters with no faults of their own. With much better understanding of what is happening around the world, calculating the consequences of a pandemic on their career, the stress of completing their final education from the confines of their homes hasn’t been easy. Students, especially those acquiring a degree in financial planning, have been hit quite hard. With uncertainty about prospects of getting a job to inability to consult their mentors and teachers personally, they are facing the brunt of the pandemic quite extensively. But like after even the darkest of days, the sun shines even brighter, if you are a student of finance, you must look for that speck of sunshine. You have two options – to sit at home and drown yourself in self-pity or take this situation as a challenge and prepare yourself for better days. Become Job Ready While Staying at Home The final years of your education decide the course of your life. It is in these couple of years that you get a direction about how to realize your dreams. When you enroll for any professional course, you do so because you see yourself making a career in that chosen field. For finance students, professional course in Financial Planning means you are open for jobs at the banking sector, in wealth management, stock market, mutual funds and more. Unfortunately, due to the current prevailing conditions, everything seems bleak. Reports pouring in from all over the world of dipping GDPs, unemployment, job loss can undoubtedly create panic in your young mind. While the economic situation is definitely grim, all hope isn’t lost just yet. While you are at home, it is time for you to not just complete your course – which is obviously being taken care of by your college or educational institution. While you graduate, you must also use this time to prepare yourself for job in a post-Covid world – in 2021. The fact that businesses will operate differently once everything opens up and people start going to offices cannot be discounted. You have to be prepared for a changed work environment once everything resumes. Below we shall be talking about few things that you should primarily focus on right now. How To Become Job Ready in a Post-Covid World?

1. Take a Stock of Your Skills – Competition in the post-Covid world is going to get tougher. You will have to fight to get noticed. There will be people better and brighter than you. There will also be many smart ones who prepared themselves well in advance. You must ask yourself right now what you have that others don’t. If you want the job of your dreams in the banking sector or as a financial advisor, you must be able to bring more to the table than your competitor. That’s one of the primary reasons why you must be enhancing your skills. You should be able to apply everything that you learnt theoretically in the practical world. From being introduced in financial planning in the first semester to learning about financial and strategic management in the final semester, the course must have been all-inclusive. Now is the time to ask yourself whether you recall everything you learnt. Now is the time to ask whether if in a given situation, you can apply the things you have been taught.

The honest truth, if be told, is that most students will not be able to recall what they learnt. That’s your edge. That’s where you can create your mark. You can race ahead by showing your prospective employers that you completely understand financial planning and its nitty-gritties. Among the many ways you can showcase your financial skills is by being staying abreast about the stock market, current bank interest rates etc. If as a student of finance, you do not know the latest market figures, getting any job will become difficult for you.

2. Build Your Resume –How do you present your case to prospective employers without saying a word? CVs or resumes are made so that job seekers can highlight their qualifications and skills for better perusal. You should take your time to build a CV that’s interesting to read without being superfluous. If you haven’t yet written a CV, do so now. You can search online for tips to create an appealing CV.  You may also come across tools and websites that help you write a CV. However be wary of auto-created CVs. They will not present you uniquely. Only you can do so.

It is crucial to note the difference between CV and resume. You must understand that CVs or curriculum vitae is a longer version than a resume as it highlights everything – right from your educational qualifications to extracurricular activities and so on. A resume, on the other hand, is shorter, preferably one page that summarizes your skills and educational qualifications. It is advisable to prepare both since some companies ask only for a resume while others may ask for CVs.

3. Be Digitally Active – One of the reasons why the world did not have to completely shut down its every business operation was because today we have the technology that empowers us to work anywhere, anyhow. It is due to this technological advantage that most companies have been operating without forcing their workforce to work from offices. It’s only because of the numerous digital platforms that schools and colleges have continued to run their classes, ensuring that education isn’t halted at any cost. Technology has been the biggest tool in our hands today that has saved a lot of stomachs from going hungry. As a millennial, ready to step into the world of business and employment, you cannot be digitally challenged. That’s not even an option any more.

You must be digitally diligent to as to use all kinds of technology with little assistance. In all likelihood, the work-from-home culture will continue for some more months, even if the cases of coronavirus infections lessen. This means that in 2021 when you get a job, you will work digitally, from your home. You must be prepared for it. Ask your seniors from college who started working professionally before the outbreak of the virus things you must know to work from home. Be adept in using spreadsheets, setting up and attending virtual conferences and in multi-tasking. These are the skills that will take your further next year.

4. Expand Your Network – Gone are the days when a fresh college pass out would get a job of his liking without making much effort. Today you need to be pro-active and showcase your caliber, even before you start a real job. As a student, if you have until now not been active on professional networks or associated yourself closely with the industry, you must do so immediately. Join LinkedIn and start following the best of the best in the finance industry. Follow trending discussions, comment and engage in conversations so that you can expand your worldwide. The financial industry, as any other industry, is fast evolving. You must stay abreast with the changes as and when they happen.
5. Freelance to Expand Your Knowledge – In 2021, employers will look for young candidates who are job ready. They will not want to spend time teaching the new kids on the block the tricks of the trade. So how do you equip yourself without getting a job? By freelancing. There are several opportunities for freelancers out in the market, even in these trying times. If you are good at your job and know how to meet deadlines and follow instructions, you can get lots of work right from the comfort of your home. In fact it is a good idea to explore freelancing opportunities right now when you are still at home, unable to actively look for jobs. Freelancing will open numerous windows of opportunities and will also teach you a lesson or two about work ethics and industry expectations. Remember, you will hardly be considered a newcomer when you freelance, especially if you behave and work professionally. This is the opportunity for you to put your best foot forward.

Be Prepared to Adapt While you become job ready for a hopefully better 2021, you must also be open to change. We don’t know till now how the world will be once a vaccine for Covid-19 comes and everyone is vaccinated. We don’t know if that day is coming any time soon. We don’t know how long businesses will have to operate remotely. We don’t know how long the travel restrictions and social distancing norms will stay in place. But what we can guess is that the world is unlikely to be what it was in 2019. This year has shaken the normalcy of things so much so that we will all have to adapt to new norms in the coming days. We will all have to become more responsible, our attitude (towards our planet) will have to change. We will have to look deeper into ourselves and correct ourselves. All this is happening to a large extent right now, and they will evolve as time passes. As a young adult, you will be expected to lead from the front. You will be expected to show how to adapt to change. You will have to be a forerunner by living a healthier lifestyle, by working more diligently and being more productive. So, if you are preparing for a job next year, you must change – your attitude and work ethics must improve for the better. A lackadaisal attitude will not pay you dividends. Buck up and storm right ahead. The world is waiting for a person like you!

The repercussions of the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic have been alarming to say the least. This period has allowed us all to delve deep within us and to acknowledge fears that haven’t surfaced for the longest of times. All of us had to stay away from other people, were asked not to visit our families and this gave us the opportunity to learn new things every day. Besides affecting our personal lives and disrupting it completely, the coronavirus pandemic has taken a severe toll on the economic condition of the country too. Several business models have been completely shattered because they were not able to sustain the uncertainties of the time. What is worse is that this is not over yet. Since there is no vaccine available in the market yet, we are bound to live our lives dictated by a new set of rules, involuntarily. This lockdown period has exposed the hidden vulnerabilities of big and small business ventures to the public. The losses that were incurred during this time will have to be recovered as soon as this nightmare is over. But of course, COVID-19 did not come with a date of expiry and we have no way of knowing for sure when things will get back to normal. Looking at this scenario from a futuristic perspective, the students of today will play a major role in stabilizing the country’s economy in the post-COVID business world. This year has been difficult for all students, especially the young minds studying Finance and Financial Planning. They will prove to be one of the pioneer economic drivers that will help restore balance to the ensuing precarious condition. Students – The Greatest Sufferers Why has it been difficult for the students of Finance and Financial Planning? Because like all other students, they have had an extremely rocky academic year. Not being able to go to college, learn in a formal and serious environment and losing focus from the curriculum are some of the expected challenges they have had to face. Things are worse for those students who were supposed to graduate from their colleges this year. There are certain things that you learn specifically in your last year, which widens your perspective of the real business world. Considering all the negatives of the coronavirus pandemic, how can the students of Finance prepare themselves for a post-COVID world? It is not as difficult as it seems. Being a student of Financial Planning, you are well aware of the basics of risk analysis and its subsequent solution. All you need to do is speculate the kind of changes there might be in the business world after the virus has been properly dealt with. It should not come off as a surprise that many companies and banks that you were planning to work with have frozen the recruitment process. Hiring new candidates during these troubled times would only mean extra expenses for the recruiting company. Rest assured, after things get back to normal, recruiters will be hunting for fresh aspirants for many jobs. Skills Students Should Nurture for a Post-COVID Business World It is quite obvious that the ongoing situation might have taken its toll on the students of Finance and Financial Planning, like everyone else. The job market is not stable at the moment, but with time, it will regain its normalcy. While recruitment may have been stopped for the time being, no one can stop you from dreaming and realizing your dreams. If you have the skills and the knowledge, you can start your professional career independently. Though it isn’t going to be an easy journey to be an independent financial expert, if you have confidence you can achieve the impossible. All you need to do is evaluate your skills and honestly introspect about your options. Below we shall be talking about few things that you need to keep in mind in case you are planning to go solo. The Future Is Digital As we limit human contact to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus, there is only one way for us to carry out our daily activities and jobs. We have officially entered the Digital Age and it is mandatory for you to learn everything about it. If you are planning to become a freelancer, you will need to be able to use the digital medium to your advantage. From connecting with clients online, to participating in online meetings, to submitting proposals to multiple vendors, you will need to know how everything is done digitally. If until now you were banking on your inter-personal communication skills to take your further, you will now need to be able to use the digital ecosystem for communication. As a finance student, you may have ignored the importance of digital communication until now, but you cannot ignore it any longer. You may need to learn how to use multiple applications like a pro. Remember since you are going to freelance as an independent professional, very few will treat you as a newcomer. No one will tolerate incompetence and lack of understanding. That’s the reason you should use this time at home to brush up your skills, understand the nuances of the financial industry and begin working as a pro. You have already studied marketing management, statistics of business management, financial accounting, securities market, investment planning and a lot more. All you need to do now is figure out how these are digitally used. From now on, no one will be excused for not being digitally competent. This will be least expected from a youth who works as an independent professional. If you want to kick start your career on a high note, you must start the work today. Ernst Raue had said that, “The digital revolution is marching on and entering every aspect of life.” This phrase holds true of the current pandemic situation that we find ourselves in. freelancers who wish to survive in the post-COVID world will have learn everything about digitization. Companies too will be looking to work with individuals who are digitally able to meet their requirements. Build a Resume That Gets the Job Done Once we enter a COVID-free world, there will be thousands and thousands of fresher with applications in their hands and dreams in their eyes waiting to fill in job vacancies. If you are going to be a part of that rat-race you must be prepared for a tough battle ahead. You can instead choose to become an independent professional with a shining degree in financial studies. But is the degree going to be enough? Will you be able to get desired projects simply with a degree? Well, no you won’t. In the professional world, work matters more than certificates. Of course your degree will give you an opening, but in the long run it is going to be your skills and hard work that’s going to take you forward. But as a newcomer, taking only baby steps as an independent professional, how do you lure new clients? How do you convince them that you are up for the job? Since inter-personal communication isn’t going to work for the next few months (or years), you must rely on an impressive CV. This is the right time, amidst the ongoing lockdowns, for you to explore the numerous platforms that help freelancers find their desired job. The first step, however, should be to create a LinkedIn page. LinkedIn isn’t merely another social media platform, but a powerhouse for job seekers and job creators. If you have an impressive page on this platform, follow your industry experts, comment on popular posts, interact with the bigwigs, you will get noticed far more easily. You will be surprised at how effective LinkedIn has proven to be a platform for youth like you. Alternatively, you should also look for internships before going completely solo. Internships will not only strengthen your CV but also give you much-required exposure. If the placement cell of your college is able to provide you with an internship then there is nothing better. But for those who are not able to reap this benefit due to the prevailing conditions, do not lose hope. There are several platforms (such as LinkedIn) which can help you get an internship, both paid and unpaid. Since the financial crunch is for real this time, do not miss out on an unpaid internships too, at least if you are promised a certificate and letter of recommendation at the end. There are other means of getting internships too. You can ask an acquaintance, family friend or even a business contact you met online. When you have completed a few internships and gained significant experience, your goal of being an independent professional in the post-COVID business world is closer than ever. Besides these benefits, you get hands-on experience of a work environment before you actually start working independently. This will play in your favor as you would already know how to behave in a professional setting, the importance of meeting deadlines will be an easier task and you would know the direction in which your career is taking you. Flexibility is Strength If you aspire to be an independent, self-sufficient and capable professional in the world after coronavirus, you must learn the art of adaptability. It is good to have solid principles and carry out a disciplined lifestyle. But being a flexible candidate will prove to be one of the most important criteria of making a successful career in a post-COVID world. The coronavirus pandemic has proved to us yet again that change is the only constant in the world. All the companies, banks, stock market, mutual fund undertakings, investment platforms and other such work environments will undergo a significant amount of change as soon as the country begins to unlock on a full scale. Businesses will likely favor working with independent professionals (such as you). Being prepared for a new working environment will work to your advantage. You should not come off as a rigid and stubborn personality, someone who cannot adjust with the reshaping of the work environment. Sometimes, it might get necessary to perform certain tasks that were not allocated to you initially. If you come across as someone who can adapt to trying situations and understand the precarious nature of a new work environment, you will be much sought after. Since there is a very narrow scope of going to the office physically, your decision to work as a freelancer might just be the right one. Undoubtedly, it will be a difficult process and you might feel you are doing more than you signed up for. But it is crucial to remember that as we will move from this impossible time to the post-COVID world, a time will come when everything will work smoothly as it did before. In the words of Jessica Hagedorn, “Adaptability is the simple secret of survival.” Being a flexible person will only help you survive the difficult period of time that will be posed after the coronavirus is dealt with. But does being flexible necessarily mean you get to be inefficacious in your job? Absolutely not. You might need to do some extra work and deal with unlikely scenarios but what should remain constant is your diligence and your professionalism. There is no doubt about the fact that the coronavirus global epidemic situation has had a profound effect on our lives, altering it in ways we never expected. Our definition of normalcy has been changed as we adapt to the evolving conditions. But it is possible to look at the positive alterations made by the coronavirus pandemic. In the world post-COVID, all the work done will be of a sustainable nature to prevent any losses if such extreme conditions surface again. Being a professional in the world after coronavirus will be a completely different experience, but it does not need to be a distressing one. Instead of learning new terms during this phase like ‘lockdown’, ‘quarantine’, ‘pandemic’, ‘social distancing’, ‘N-95’, you can actually spend this time learning new skills. This will help you sustain yourself in the world of professionals after COVID-19. Maintaining customer relations, expertise in risk management, remote working without much hassle, being an example of flexibility, being a player and getting the job done without breaching the deadline are the desirable attributes. As a student of Finance and Financial Planning, these are some of the most important skills you should develop if you want to foster your career as an independent professional in the post-COVID business world.

It is not common for fresh graduates to be left in a lurch while they had planned a successful transition to becoming a working professional. Unfortunately that’s what the coronavirus pandemic has done to hundreds and thousands of students worldwide. The good news, however, is that all is not lost. The world hasn’t come to an end (and isn’t likely to), scientists are working overtime to develop a vaccine and many world economies are slowly limping back to normalcy. Students are in a dilemma and that’s understandable. Until now they haven’t had to witness such tough times. Most read about past horrors in history text books never imagining that a global pandemic of this magnitude could befall on them. Covid-19 came suddenly. If in mid-December, 2019 people read stray news about a virus infecting people in a province called Wuhan in China, by March, 2020 many European countries were reporting escalated cases of people falling victim to this virus. Countries were left with no option but to declare a state of emergency. With little knowledge about the nature of the virus and only information available that the virus spread from person to person through touch or exposure to an infected person, most countries announced lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus. In many countries lockdowns extended over weeks (and even months) putting economies in jeopardy. Numerous small and medium sized companies, both in organized and un-organized sectors, had to shut shop because of the looming uncertainties of the times.  According to International Labour Organisation (ILO), SMEs are the major job creators and recruiters. With many of them shutting down, it has meant that there is a serious job crunch in the market. This is going to directly impacted fresh graduates who do have a degree but no experience to secure a job. What Students Can Do Overcome These Challenging TimesThere is no doubt that students studying or with a degree in professional course have been left in a lurch because of these prevailing conditions. For students with a financial background, especially those studying or having completed financial planning, must be prepared to fight a tough battle to secure their dream jobs. There is no use sugar-coating the reality for the young graduates – the journey ahead is tough. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Unlike the 2008 recession, this time all job opportunities haven’t closed. There are many sectors that are recruiting fresher even during the pandemic. The industries related to travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure and entertainment have suffered the greatest loss. Financial students can, for the time being, stay away from these industries and focus their attention on sectors related to banking, financial institutions, mutual funds, wealth management, tax/audit consulting, stock market, insurance and so on. While it is natural to stress and worry about the coming days, it is important that students keep their morale high. Surfing too many news articles (most painting a grim picture) isn’t going to help. Though we are not suggesting you to stop following news, do not become obsessed to the point where you worry too much. Among the many things this pandemic has taught us, one has been to not lose hope. Mental illness in the form of depression, stress and anxiety have all been fallouts of the pandemic. Young minds have been most harshly been affected by stress because of the prevailing conditions. Constantly worrying about the uncertain future, helplessly looking for jobs and finding few windows of opportunities is adding to their worries. It is important to overcome stress and look at the brighter side. Due to the persistent lockdowns and regulations, you now have the time to better yourself – to make yourself job worthy in every aspect. Use this time to prepare yourself for upcoming job interviews. Understand how the financial institutions work and how you can fit yourself in a lucrative position. Ways to Become Job Ready in Times of Pandemic

1. Enhance Your Skills – A degree in financial planning means that you have taken the right step towards a fast-moving career. But is that good enough, especially when the world is struggling with a pandemic that has affected nearly 28 million people (and still counting)? The competition is going to get tougher in the coming days which means that you will have to fight harder for a job. Your degree in financial planning, though highly specialised, may not be enough. It is true that through the period of your education in financial planning you may have learnt a great deal and have had the opportunity to interact with industry experts, but you will need to put more on the table if you want a better job tomorrow.

You are likely to also have a professional CFPCM certification (which is offered along with most financial planning courses) but you must also ensure that you know enough about general ledger management, quantitative data analysis, financial management, data processing, cost analysis, cash flow management etc. If you don’t know any or even one of these, use this time at home to brush up your skills. Enrol in online courses, participate in webinars and attend online talk shows to expand your knowledge and vision. In a post-COVID world, employers are likely to look for youth who have been pro-active during 2020, even while sitting at home. Just because you have been mandated to be home doesn’t mean you cannot learn, at least not anymore. You may have finished your graduation or post-graduation but there is no end to learning. Learn and enhance your skills.

2. Search for Online Internship- A professional degree in financial planning and financial analysis will take you a long way. But is a degree enough? Most certainly not. We have already spoken about the need to enhance your skills. While you do that, while you enrol in online courses and participate in webinars, you must also look for internships. Even if they are small gigs for a few weeks or months, don’t reject them. Internships will open your avenues, expose you to a professional work environment and also help you climb the rope of success. If you have already done summer/winter internships before, you will already know how beneficial they can be. But if you haven’t experienced it yet, now is a good time. Many companies, especially small finance-related firms may offer online internships for fresh graduates. Look up for such opportunities. Just because you are sitting at home doesn’t mean you cannot work.
3. Prepare an Attention-Grabbing CV– How do you reach recruiters? How do you convince them (without meeting them) that you are good at your job? Answers to these questions lie in a nicely done CV or curriculum vitae. Most first-time job seekers do not realise that a CV is a marketing tool that can turn your employment opportunities around. Not only must the CV list your academic qualifications and job experience but also explain why you are perfect for the job. Your CV must highlight your qualities (which shouldn’t be generic and run-of-the-mill) and must also include a personal summary. Oftentimes you can get confused between a CV and a resume. Know and understand the difference. A resume is a one-page summary of your skills, qualification and experience. The idea behind a resume is to allow a recruiter to glance at the piece of paper and determine your value. A CV, on the other hand, is longer and detailed. Ideally, you should have both as you don’t know which may come to use when.
4. Grow Your Network – In today’s competitive job market, an average youth must have more than skills and academic qualification. You must know the right people to even get a job recommendation. In a post-COVID world this is going to assume even bigger importance. Once the pandemic reaches its far end and businesses start re-opening, you will find numerous job openings. But remember you will not be the only one looking for a job. The pandemic has rendered many jobless. They will be vying for the opportunities you had pinned your hopes on. The competition is going to get tougher. Use this time to know the right people within your industry. The best platform to expand your network is undoubtedly LinkedIn, though you could also explore other platforms. You will find numerous top-level financial executives posting, commenting, initiating dialogue and more. Participate and learn from these interactions.
5. Understand the Industry - You may have learnt spreadsheet, accounting and many other things abut finance while studying. However you have to acknowledge the demands of the changed times. 2020 changed so much around us that we don’t know what the ‘new normal’ will be like. This means that you will have to continuously expand your horizons to fit in. But how do you do that if you don’t know the dynamics of the industry? That’s why we suggest you to understand the finance industry before becoming a part of it. Read books on corporate culture, follow blogs or vlogs of established people, try to understand what works and will work in the future. Every industry is bringing in new policies to adapt to the changing times – from social distancing norms to work-from-home culture – everything is changing. Understand the change.
6. Work on Your Communication Skills – One of the least acknowledged skills for someone in the financial sector is communication skills. Most times financial experts must also possess good communication skills so as to explain jargons to a common man in simple words. Unfortunately not many realise the power of it. If until now you have neglected your interpersonal and communicative skills, don’t do that any longer. There are numerous courses available online on improving communication skills. Enrol and learn. You can also do it yourself by widening your horizons by reading lots of books and by practicing public speaking. Your communication skills will also determine how well or bad your interview goes. Work on your communication skills today.
7. Learn to Work Remotely – Among the many changes that happened in 2020, one is the culture of work-from-home. Until the pandemic, work-from-home was a flexible option offered by corporates to help their employees balance work and life. Today it has become a necessity. Tomorrow it is likely to become a norm. According to Global Workplace Analytics, 25-30% workforce will continue to work from home multiple days a week. Are you prepared to adapt to this change? Probably not, considering the fact that until now you have attended college, met your friends at cafes, watched movies in theatres and basically done most things outside of your homes. But the new work culture will demand you to sit at home, work from home which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Working from home will mean you must have the necessary gadgets and equipment in place. A laptop, mouse, keyword, a dedicated workplace is a must. You must also be able to work without distractions from family. So, before you apply for any job make sure you have these things in place.

Conclusion In it’s early days, Covid-19 had brought the world to a standstill. Few months later, economies are slowly opening, businesses are re-starting and the world is still figuring out what the new normal will be like. As businesses and governments do their part in restoring normalcy (albeit a new kind), you must also play your part. As a finance student, it is your duty to be a future leader and help the world get back to its old days. If you want to do so successfully, you have to adapt, adopt, learn and grow. Dos not waste your time sitting at home. Do not lose hope. These are not going to help you further your career. There is no doubt that these are challenging times, but when has mankind not fought back and risen above all odds? If our ancestors have done it innumerable times, so can you. You have the time right now, so utilize it in the best way possible. Do not while away your time right now only to regret later.

The abrupt and unpleasant onset of the coronavirus pandemic pushed a halt button over all of our lives, driving us into a state of acute uncertainty. The past few months have not been forgiving for anyone and have completely disrupted the way we have always led our lives. It has becoming especially difficult for students of finance who had a clear idea about their course work and had their career path mapped out in details. This uncertainty has given rise to an insane amount of stress and anxiety among the students who were in their final year, eagerly waiting to jump headlong into the big pool of business world. A large majority of students were cut off by the lockdown just before their semester examinations, or the beginning of the internship season. The panic created by COVID-19 has left many youngsters susceptible to a variety of rash thoughts and doubt regarding their own capabilities. The biggest reason for this is because no one knows what the post-COVID world will look like, and this unpredictability creates room for confusion, insecurity and reservations about oneself. It should come as no surprise that the generation of today likes to know how things pan out, the intricate details of the procedure and words of wisdom or caution from individuals who have already experienced it. The coronavirus pandemic became the first exception to this as it came with no guidebook or expiry date. It is no surprise that the economic condition of the country at large suffered substantially because of the extended lockdown period. Students of finance are too familiar with how this impacts them and their careers. Companies, banks and firms have all reduced their intake capacity at the moment, in order to recover the losses over the past unproductive months. Many institutions that students of finance aim for have capped the hiring process temporarily. These distressing changes in the field of employment have given rise to irksome feelings among students and it is time they knew how to align their career paths in a world cured of COVID-19. It is absolutely crucial to anticipate the kind of changes there may be in the post-COVID business world so that you can prepare themselves amply and appropriately. You may be aspiring to join as an investment banker, stockbroker or mutual fund advisor after your final semester of Financial Planning. While most of the process remains unclear, there are certain parts that we can still bank on. There are some skills that all employers look for and that would not change based on these unprecedented times. You need master these skills to be able to excel in the post-COVID world with the background of Finance and Financial Planning. Remote WorkingConsidering the chaotic times we belong to now, it is safe to assume that the workforce will remain remote for a foreseeable future. None of the employers will be comfortable with having the new recruits roam about in the office space while feeling safe. As the vaccine is not yet in the market, it is likely that this epidemic condition will last for a while now. What you need to do is be prepared to work remotely, most likely from the confinement of your homes. This requires you to get the appropriate set-up ready before you sit for the interviews. A working laptop or computer, stable internet connection and a space where you will not be disturbed by other family members or roommates. For the students of Finance or Financial Planning, the job will, in all probability, involve sitting in front of the laptop screen for hours. It would play in your favor if you have ample practice from now on. This will eliminate obvious health issues like straining the eyes, developing a back pain and other discomforts. The fact that you might not be able to physically meet your co-workers, colleagues, boss, clients and other members of the office can seem a bit worrying, challenging even. It is quite difficult to work with a set of strangers virtually, for hours. You should prepare yourself for all aspects of remote working because this will most definitely be a pre-requisite by employers in the post-COVID business world. Grasp on technologyIt quite logically follows the fact that you need to work digitally that you need to have a firm grasp of basic technology. COVID-19 has assured us of one thing and that is companies will now fast-track on to digital transformation. This will necessitate the employees to be tech-savvy and this will prove to be one of their biggest assets in the time to come. As a student of Finance, you were not taught a very technical course in your semesters which makes it all the more important for you now. Employers and interviewers will be more interested in a candidate who know their way around some technical stuff. This will ensure them of the fact that the particular candidate can get started without much supervision and guidance. No doubt there will be an IT team backing you up, it is still better to be prepared for the likely scenarios than remaining held up for someone to help you. What you can do is start with a course that will teach you the technical aspects while you are sitting at home in lockdown. It is only a few hours off your daily schedule but it will help you in the long run. The best part of these technical courses is that you do not need to go anywhere physically and you will learn equally well. With a background in financial studies, you are no stranger to studying hard and learning new things with the same diligence. Most applications and websites that offer these courses are extremely user friendly, coupled with the fact that the courses are easy and the tutors available know how to make the technical stuff simple for newcomers. Determination and DependencyThese are not skills that you can learn from an application or any other digital platform. These are qualities that you nurture on your own and these will take you a long way in every profession you choose. Each and every employer will be looking for a candidate who can assure them with their determination to work hard and never give up. This proves that you will be one of the dependable resources among all of your co-workers. One of the best ways to cultivate the habit of determination is to hold on to something you want dearly and fight for it till you actually have it. This incredibly trying period of time has taken its toll on the best of us. It is very easy to give up on your career goals based on the increasing uncertainty that is surrounding your employment opportunities. You need to remain focused on your goal and hang on till you reach it. It would be very counter productive if you gave up on a career in finance after investing years learning tricks of the trade. Yes, the times are hard but that should not deter you from your career objective. Being honest to your goals will only prove you to be a focused and dependable individual, a more likely candidate to be hired. Flexibility and AdaptabilityAfter studying Finance and Financial Planning for graduation and maybe post-graduation, you are quite clear on how career opportunities will unfold once you are done with college. But this year marks the biggest exception as everything well-planned and thought through went for a toss. You have officially entered the first hiccup of your career, and it is in your hands how you deal with it. It is important for you to able to be flexible with the changes around you, and more than that, adapt to them without much hassle. The way you are handling things on your end, within the four walls of your home, will define how calm and collected you will be once the job starts. You must be well aware of the workplaces of the companies, firms, banks and other institutions that you were going to apply to. In keeping with the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic, it is obvious that all workplaces are going through continuous changes now. In the post-COVID business world, employers will be more interested in job applicants who show signs of being a flexible, humble and adaptable individual. You have to remember that it is going to be a new experience for both you and your employer in the post-COVID world. There will be minor changes every now and then, you must be willing to accept them and work with them to avoid any delays or miss any deadlines. An attitude that reeks of rigidity and stubbornness will not be appreciated in such dire times. If there comes a time where you are faced with a challenge at work, which might not even be yours to begin with, you need to show the yielding nature to contribute any help to prevent any bumps on the road. A “can do” attitude is what employers will be looking for after this deadly virus is dealt with properly. It is however important to remember the fact that, just because you are willing to be adaptable and flexible, does not necessarily entail that you have the liberty to be inefficient. This flexibility is a requisite till the institution works like a well-oiled machinery all over again. It is essential for you to lead with a mindset that keeps evolving and you shall face no trouble adapting to your new workplace. Professional MaturityOne of the most important life lessons taught by the coronavirus pandemic is the importance of maturity to deal with the ever-changing scenario. Being upset with how things are now is fair, but pondering over it and being unproductive is not the way to move ahead. Maturity is defined when you accumulate information, absorb it, process it and find a way to deal with it. In the words of Bharadwaj Karthikeyan, “Maturity does not mean age. It means sensitivity, manners and how you react to it.” Similarly, professional maturity is when you respect the opinions and inputs of your co-workers from diversified backgrounds, without the need to be biased. It is the ability to reach a decision unanimously, instead of being driven by compelling emotions or instincts. It can be expected of employers to select an interviewee who shows signs of professional maturity. From the current work from home scenario around the country now, it can be deduced that it is difficult to manage one’s own time table when dealing with a team and deadlines. It is crucial to maintain a level of efficiency and productivity from a day’s work keeping aside all the personal activities, commitments, challenges and emotions. There are some tips that will help you develop this quality for the post-COVID business world. You must have a professional attitude and support the decisions of your colleagues or employer. You must be diligent with your work. If there was a mistake made from your end, you should take responsibility for it. You should always dress formally to avoid any unprofessional advances. Most importantly, you must communicate in a professional manner. That involves clear enunciation, maintenance of poise once your idea is challenged and the ability to listen to your co-workers attentively. There is no hiding the reality that the job market is difficult, even for high-scoring students of Finance and Financial Planning. In such challenging times, it is the expertise in these skills that will help you acquire your career goals. The struggle is inevitable, but it can be made less intensive than expected if you learn how to align your career path once the dangerous coronavirus pandemic leaves the face of Earth. You have been limited to the comfort of your home for months now. As students of Finance, you must make correct use of this time and avoid the slag in your employment opportunities.