Youth in the Financial Services Industry

 

The financial services industry in South Africa has been pulled into a whirlwind as of late, with all of the mandatory examinations and acts that have been called into place, financial service agents have found it difficult to keep up with the speed of the growth happening all over the country.

 

However, the financial service industry remains one of the highest paid sectors in the country, which continues to attract hopefuls of all ages looking to make a success of themselves. Young individuals starting university degrees in the Economics faculties have a major head start when it comes to gaining experience and insight into the financial sector, as many universities tend to focus on local markets and laws that may affect those involved in the financial industry.

 

How does a young person enter the financial services sector?

 

However, there are many ways to get into the world of financial services without having to complete a university degree (although with the competitive climate as it is, it is highly recommended in order to stand out of the crowd).

 

Starting at the ground floor of a company is the oldest, most trusted method of growing a career. Sure, it may take a while longer than other methods, but showing loyalty to one company and learning the basics before moving onto more hands-on tasks is something that is noticed, appreciated and valued highly in any industry. Show your willingness to learn from the big dogs, and they will more than likely be willing to take you under their wings. After all, professionals are drawn to other professionals who are willing to learn from them, and who can teach them something in return.

 

The Learn Café provides training to individuals and groups looking to become compliant with the FAIS Act. The courses and training are dedicated to getting the client ready to successfully complete the FAIS Regulatory Examination (Level 1).

 

To learn more about how to effectively develop skills that will aid you in becoming a Financial Advisor, visit The Learn Cafe’s dedicated FAIS Training website to sign up and focus on preparing for the Level 1 FAIS Regulatory Exam, which is designed for Key Individuals and Representatives.

What happens if I don't write the FAIS Act exams?

 

Since the introduction of the FAIS Act, the South African Financial Service industry has been layered over with stipulation after stipulation. All of these terms point to one relatively simple idea: In order to continue practicing within the financial services sector, one must either be part of a service provider that has the necessary qualifications and training programs, as stipulated by the FAIS Act, or write the Mandatory Examination before the stipulated cut-off date.

 

The cut-off date has now been set at June 30^th, 2012. Any professional affected by the FAIS Act must write the Regulatory exam by the deadline or face being debarred from further work in the industry. However, individuals who have been part of the industry since before 2010 will have until the end of September 2012 to complete the exam.

 

Subsequently, any professionals that started working in the industry in 2011 will have until December 2013 to complete the exam, and those who started in the first half of 2012 will have until December 2014 before risking debarment. However, it is strongly advised that the exam be written as early as possible to avoid potential glitches and mishaps.

 

The Learn Café provides training to individuals and groups looking to become compliant with the FAIS Act. The courses and training are dedicated to getting the client ready to successfully complete the FAIS Regulatory Examination (Level 1).

 

To learn more about how to effectively develop skills that will aid you in becoming a Financial Advisor, visit The Learn Cafe’s dedicated FAIS Training website to sign up and focus on preparing for the Level 1 FAIS Regulatory Exam, which is designed for Key Individuals and Representatives.

 

Some Last Minute Study Tips

 

The end of June marks the deadline for the FAIS Examination entries. Anyone who hasn’t written by the 30^th of June will be debarred from practicing in the financial services industry, on condition that they do not meet the predetermined requirements for older members of the industry (additional deadlines have been stipulated at a later stage. Here are a few study tips that will be useful to anyone planning on doing some last minute studying, whether for the FAIS exams, or those dreaded Matric exams that are right around the corner:

•   It is best to review the material right after class when it's still fresh in your memory.

•   Cramming usually doesn’t work. Instead, space out your studying, review class materials at least several times a week and focus on one topic at a time.

•   Have all of your study material in front of you: lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides and any other relevant material.

•   Find a comfortable and quiet place to study with good lighting and little distractions.

•   Start out by studying the most important information.

•   Learn the general concepts first, don't worry about learning the details until you have learned the main ideas.

•   Take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material.

•   Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains the information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle.

•   Space out your studying, you'll learn more by studying a little every day instead of waiting to cram at the last minute. By studying every day, the material will stay in your long-term memory but if you try to study at the last moment, the material will only reside in your short-term memory that you'll easily forget.

•   Make sure that you understand the material well, don't just read through the material and try to memorize everything.

•   If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test.

•   Test yourself or have someone test you on the material to find out what your weak and strong areas are.

•   Listening to relaxing music such as classical or jazz on a low volume can relieve some of the boredom of studying.

•   Don't study later than the time you usually go to sleep, you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep, instead try studying in the afternoon or early evening. If you are a morning person try studying in the morning.

 

The Learn Café provides training to individuals and groups looking to become compliant with the FAIS Act. The courses and training are dedicated to getting the client ready to successfully complete the FAIS Regulatory Examination (Level 1).

 

To learn more about how to effectively develop skills that will aid you in becoming a Financial Advisor, visit The Learn Cafe’s dedicated FAIS Training website to sign up and focus on preparing for the Level 1 FAIS Regulatory Exam, which is designed for Key Individuals and Representatives.

Just uploaded a video in YouTube. Check: http://ping.fm/aBFC8

Just uploaded a video in YouTube. Check: http://ping.fm/5NJ8P

"Security depends not so much upon how much you have, as upon how much you can do without." Joseph Wood Krutch

Just in case you were wondering, the deadline isn't going to be extended...not this time...

http://ow.ly/bpy3A