If you’re obsessing over your WAM (Weighted Average Mark), we get it. For finance students, it can feel like the be-all and end-all of getting hired.
But here’s the truth: once you’re in the door, your soft skills often matter more.
Employers want people who can communicate clearly, solve problems, and build trust, not just ace exams. In fact, many hiring managers will choose someone with a slightly lower WAM but stronger real-world skills over a top student who can’t hold a conversation.
Whether you’re applying for internships, grad roles or your first lateral move, here are the 5 soft skills finance employers care about most.
1. Communication
Being able to explain complex ideas simply is gold in finance. Whether you’re talking to clients, stakeholders or your own team, clear communication helps build credibility and confidence.
Examples:
• Explaining financial analysis in plain English
• Presenting insights clearly in meetings
• Writing emails that get to the point
Tip: Practice writing and speaking about financial concepts in ways your non finance friends could understand. It shows clarity of thought and helps you stand out during interviews, too.
Why it matters: Financial roles often require translating technical insights for non-technical audiences. If you can’t communicate well, your ideas—no matter how good—will get lost.
2. Curiosity
Finance roles evolve fast. Employers want people who ask questions, dig into the “why” behind numbers, and genuinely want to understand how things work. Curious people tend to spot opportunities, anticipate risks, and grow quickly in their roles.
Examples:
• Asking smart questions during onboarding
• Looking beyond the surface of a spreadsheet
• Suggesting improvements or alternatives
Tip: In interviews, talk about times you taught yourself something new or asked a question that changed the outcome of a task. Include examples from university, side projects, or internships.
Why it matters: Curious employees don’t just execute—they improve. In a fast-paced, competitive industry like finance, that mindset is invaluable.
3. Judgement
Good judgement means knowing when to flag something, when to double-check, and when to back yourself. In finance, that can make or break decisions.
Examples:
• Identifying inconsistencies in reports
• Knowing when to escalate a concern
• Balancing risk with business value
Tip: Reflect on situations where you had to make a call under pressure, and be ready to speak to it. Talk through your decision-making process.
Why it matters: Mistakes in finance can have real financial consequences. Employers want to know you can exercise good judgement—even when no one is watching.
4. Stakeholder Management
This one comes with experience, but even early in your career, it shows up. Can you listen well? Handle feedback? Build rapport? Good stakeholder management builds trust and drives collaboration.
Examples:
• Working with clients or cross-functional teams
• Receiving and acting on constructive criticism
• Navigating difficult conversations respectfully
Tip: Use examples from uni projects, part-time jobs, or internships where you managed relationships or expectations. Show you understand how to work with different personalities and across departments.
Why it matters: Finance rarely happens in isolation. Whether you’re working in a large bank or a small team, you’ll be interacting with multiple people—often under pressure. Employers want to know you can hold your own.
5. Time & Energy Management
Finance is fast-paced. It’s not just about working hard—it’s about working smart. Can you prioritise? Set boundaries? Avoid burnout? The ability to manage your time and energy will make you more productive and reliable.
Examples:
• Managing competing uni deadlines
• Meeting work KPIs while studying
• Saying no when your plate is full
Tip: Employers want team members who are reliable, not overloaded. Talk about how you manage your capacity and deliver on time. Tools like prioritisation matrices or time blocking can show you’re intentional about how you work.
Why it matters: Many finance roles have high expectations and tight deadlines. The ability to stay calm and focused under pressure is a huge asset.
Bonus: Adaptability
While not one of the “core 5,” adaptability is becoming increasingly essential—especially in the current climate. Teams change. Strategies pivot. Tech tools evolve.
Examples:
• Adapting to a new team or manager
• Learning new tools quickly (like Power BI, Tableau or SQL)
• Working remotely or across different time zones
Tip: Share an example of when you were thrown into something new and how you adjusted. It shows resilience and initiative.
Final Thoughts
Soft skills aren’t fluff—they’re what make you effective in a real world environment. Finance is about more than crunching numbers. It’s about communication, curiosity, and clear judgement.
So yes, your WAM matters. But it’s not the whole story.
If you can show up with strong soft skills and technical ability? That’s when doors start to open.
The good news is that soft skills can be learned and developed. Seek feedback, reflect on your experiences, and stay open to growth.