How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.
Course include:
- customer service
- contact centre operations
- T Level in Finance
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
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Apprenticeship
You can apply to a bank, building society or financial company to do a Customer Services Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
These take around 1 year to complete. They combine on-the-job training and time spent learning about financial products and services.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as an admin assistant with an organisation and move into a customer service or financial services role through on-the-job training and promotion.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs to become a financial services customer adviser. It will help if you have:
- GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
- computer and keyboard skills
- experience of customer service, office work or processing payments
Some employers will ask you to complete assessment tasks as part of the recruitment process.
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Career tips
Employers will be interested in your personal qualities and ability to learn.
Experience in sales, retail, hospitality or financial services will be helpful though is not essential for many jobs.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in financial services from Walbrook Institute London.