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Choosing a Career in Banking

ah4612 | Feb 22, 2010 |

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It takes many people, each with a different job, to safely store and manage a person's money in a bank. In fact, the American Bankers Association reports that more than two million people are currently employed in positions in the banking field. To become part of this career field, it's important to know how to start a banking career.

Learn about the different jobs in banking. Find out what job opportunities exist by visiting the website of the American Bankers Association, which provides an overview of banking careers. Review the salaries for different careers in the banking field by reading the Occupational Outlook Handbook available from the website of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Develop good math skills. Take a basic math class available from a local college, technician school or community center to refresh your math skills. Practice counting and adding money in different denominations.

Pass a background check. Keep your criminal record clean to prevent being turned down for jobs in this career field. Banks screen job candidates to ensure they are trustworthy and honest before they have access to large sums of money and customer's bank account numbers.

Find an entry-level position. Search local newspaper classifieds and popular career websites such as Monster and Career Builder to find open, entry-level positions in the banking field such as a bank teller or a banking customer service representative. Create a resume and cover letter highlighting customer service and cash handling experience. Be professional when interviewing with bank personnel and supply a list of references who can attest to your work experience and personal character.

Consider advancement. Complete a bachelor's degree in finance to gain advanced knowledge of the banking industry and how it works. Seek out classes and conferences that aid in building leadership and supervisory skills. Strive for promotions to banking careers with more responsibilities and higher wages.