Before you start on the journey of becoming a part-time financial advisor, you may need to complete a couple of requirements. Here are what some insurance companies will require:
Educational Background
While a bachelor’s degree may be beneficial, it’s not a requirement to be a financial advisor. Some insurance companies accept aspiring financial advisors with various educational backgrounds as long as they pass the necessary training and exams to effectively help their clients.
Licensing and Certifications
Financial advisors in the Philippines need to pass certification exams. Depending on the services you plan to offer, you may need:
● Insurance Commission Licensure – Required to sell insurance policies.
● Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certification – Necessary if you plan to offer investment advice.
Some firms provide study materials and review sessions to help applicants prepare.
Soft Skills
To become an excellent financial advisor, you need to know more than the technical aspects of your job. Most of the skills below are something you may already have, or if you’re not confident, you can learn on the job:
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
The most important part of being a financial advisor is clearly communicating the services you may have as well as financial concepts. Some clients may catch on easily, while others may need more explanation to get the gist of the product. However, in the end, knowing how to communicate properly is key to managing your clients.
Sales and Persuasion Abilities
Another soft skill you may need in this job is sales and persuasion. This is because your clients may not immediately see the value of the products you offer. Aside from being able to communicate the benefits of your products, you may still need to persuade them to invest in the product with you.
Analytical Thinking
Finally, each client has a different set of realities and needs. That being said, you’ll need analytical thinking skills to assess your client’s financial situation and to be able to recommend a suitable solution for their problem–not just in product but also in premium costs.