How Police and Fire Experience Can Help: The long-established interest that the financial services industry has in hiring people with military experience also can be leveraged by people with backgrounds in civilian emergency services, such as police, fire and rescue. Many of the same key personal attributes and skills are developed, such as:
- Discipline
- Focus
- Adaptability
- Resourcefulness
- Coolness Under Pressure
Moreover, civilian emergency services personnel, such as those in police, fire and rescue, can be especially valuable in positions that deal with the general public. This is particularly true because their training involves communicating with average citizens in an authoritative manner, yet one that also can quickly defuse tense situations and resolve conflict.
Because it is more common for people to make a transition to the financial services industry or financial careers from the military than from police, fire or other civilian emergency services careers, those coming from the latter backgrounds may face a more difficult selling proposition than those from the former. Accordingly, it is advisable to emphasize the commonalities with military training and backgrounds when attempting such a career move.
