Collection

Essential skills for aspiring investors

 / Reading time: 10 minutes

Front-office investing roles require a strong foundation in technical expertise to effectively analyse financial data, make informed investment decisions, and manage portfolios. You also need the interpersonal skills such as the ability to communicate and influence effectively. Below you will find key all the essentials skills you need, ways to develop and sharpen these skills, and practical resources to help you excel in your pursuit of an investing career.

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Skills Profile: Investment Risk
Ben Graetzer, VFMC
Reading time: 2 minutes
Viewing time: 10 minutes

Learn more about the investment risk function, the skills required and developed in an investment risk role and hear from Ben Graetzer, Senior Manager of Portfolio Risk at Victoria Funds Management Corporation (VFMC), on why investment risk is such an exciting career path.

shali
Skills Profile: ESG Investing
Shali Lingaretnam, VFMC
Reading time: 2 minutes
Viewing time: 7 minutes

Learn about the skills you need and can develop through an ESG investing role, and hear from Shali Lingaretnam, Head of Investment Stewardship at Victoria Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) on why this is an exciting and rewarding career.

Skills Profile: Python
Kane Xin, TCorp
Reading time: 2 minutes
Viewing time: 10 minutes

Learn more about Python, how it is used and how you can teach yourself this essential technical skill. Hear from Kane Xin, Senior Analyst, Investment Research and Strategy at TCorp about the practical applications and his best tips for learning the program.

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Essential skills for success in investment management
CFA Societies Australia
Reading time: 5 minutes

This article from CFA Societies Australia outlines four types of skills needed to success in an investment management career; technical, soft skills, leadership and T-Shaped skills. You can also download their Future of Work in Investment Management Report which identifies gaps between the supply and demand for skills and strategies for leveraging diversity of competencies to build a thriving investment management industry. 

Technical skills 1
What is financial modelling?
Future IM/Pact
Reading time: 3 minutes

Financial modelling is used to analyse various financial aspects of a business, such as its cash flow, revenue, expenses, profits, and valuation. It can also be used to analyse investments, capital budgeting, and other financial decisions. They are often created using spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, which allows for complex calculations and data analysis. This article provides information, tips and resources to help you better understand and navigate financial modelling.

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How to prepare an Investment Thesis
Future IM/Pact
Reading time: 4 minutes

Preparing an investment thesis is a fantastic way to stand out in an investment management job interview. It demonstrates your curiosity, analytical skills, passion and understanding of markets and investment strategies, and it's a great way for you to confirm this is the career path for you. Read this article for guidance on how to write a great investment thesis.

woman browsing on her laptop
What is Python?
Future IM/Pact
Reading time: 2 minutes

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is widely used in a variety of fields. It has become an essential tool in investment management, allowing investment managers to analyse data, optimise portfolios, manage risk, and execute trades efficiently. Its popularity in the industry continues to grow, as more investment managers adopt Python for their investment analysis. Read this article to understand more about this tool and how you can teach yourself Python from scratch.

Developing a solid foundation of technical and non-technical skills is paramount when pursuing a career in front-office investing. The ability to analyse complex financial data, conduct thorough research, make informed investment decisions, and communicate your ideas is critical in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the investment industry. By mastering these essential skills, you will position yourself as a valuable asset in the competitive realm of front-office investing, opening doors to exciting opportunities and contributing to the success of investment teams. 

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