The financial services industry is always rapidly changing, and 2019 is no exception. With constantly evolving technology and trends, finance professionals must be sure that they stay up-to-date to remain competitive in the field. “Today, roles are becoming more specialized within financial services,” says Jesse Blumenau, an Associate within The Execu|Search Group’s Financial Services division. “As a result, employers are increasingly looking for very specific skillsets—and those who can best showcase their skills during the hiring process will have an edge on their competition.”

As with any hiring process, your resume will likely change hands through human resources before landing on the desk of a potential manager. “An HR Manager who is hiring for a very specialized financial services role is looking for candidates that clearly highlight the skills needed for the position,” explains Jesse. “To stand out, your resume must be tailored for each role with the specific skills, product knowledge, and software it calls for.” To emphasize these items, be sure that you mention any specific programs by name, and re-order bullet points of skillsets based on each role.

So, what skills are in-demand in 2019? Jesse recommends you highlight the following:

Product knowledge

When it comes to product knowledge, financial services employers are looking for experts—and it’s up to you to prove that you have the knowledge necessary for the role. “When speaking about products on your resume or in an interview, it’s important to be detailed in your description of what you’ve worked with,” says Jesse. “Because there are specializations within each product, speaking directly to your experience is important to differentiate yourself.” In-demand product experience to highlight in 2019 includes:

• Fixed income
• Equities
• Loans

Software systems & coding languages

With the introduction of more AI and technology in financial services, those who specialize in data have an advantage in today’s job market. “Data continues to get more intricate and complex, and financial services companies are in need of specialists who can analyze data to present results and strategies,” explains Jesse. “Whether it’s a software system like excel or a coding language to help organize data, these skills should definitely be highlighted.” As a result, be sure that you emphasize the following data-centric skills:

• Excel
• SQL
• VBA
• Python