You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

• Level 1 Award for Introduction to Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Contact Centre Operations
• T Level in Finance

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You can apply to a financial company to do a Customer Services Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These take around 1 year to complete. They combine on-the-job training and time spent learning about financial products and services.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You could start as an admin assistant with a company and move into financial services by training on the job.

You could apply directly to become a financial services customer adviser. It will help if you have:

• GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
• computer and keyboard skills
• experience of customer service, cash handling or office work

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to sell products and services
• maths knowledge
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Most employers will want to do a credit check. They do this to make sure you do not have any outstanding debts which could stop you working in financial services.

In your day-to-day duties you may:

• deal with other businesses, investors or members of the public
• use computer systems to access customer information and update account details
• answer customer questions
• process payments and withdrawals
• keep accurate records
• promote financial products and services
• work to targets
• handle complaints or refer them to a supervisor
• refer customers to staff to sell financial products

You could work in an office.