So what exactly do they mean

[DaveB]

when they ask for exoperiance in a banking or finance environment?

What is so special about it that you need specific experiance?

[Bluebird]

when they ask for exoperiance in a banking or finance environment?

What is so special about it that you need specific experiance?

Depends what the gig is for, if it's a BA then it could be vital that you know your way around pensions / investments, on the other hand if you're just writing code then the only pre-requisite should be the ablity to write code and an element of house training.

[DaveB]

Neither. I do Infosec policy and compliance. BS17799, ISO27001, PCIDSS etc. All standard stuff and no different inside or outside the finance industry.

[freakydancer]

when they ask for exoperiance in a banking or finance environment?

What is so special about it that you need specific experiance?

It's all bollocks mate - I'm working for a bank and the only previous banking experience I had was caning my overdraft then threatening to cancel my account when they tried to charge me for it.

[n5gooner]

I think sometimes they want people who have been in a Banking enviroment to show they can cope with stress etc.....but then a job is what you make it.....

[Mustang]

It's all bollocks mate

I agree but it's true! I am a project manager with over 15 years if experience in a variety of projects but trying to convince some agent that "banking experience" is not required is another story.

It was the same with NPfIT where they wanted NHS experience. Mrs Mustang is a sonographer and even provided me with an NHS presentation about NPfIT but that didn't sway them! Mind you - glad I am not responsible for managing THAT project!!

I guess that's the challange that I am currently focusing on - getting involved in other sectors. It's not just about negotiating either - why spend time/effort negotiating with the middle man.

[DodgyAgent]

I agree but it's true! I am a project manager with over 15 years if experience in a variety of projects but trying to convince some agent that "banking experience" is not required is another story.

It was the same with NPfIT where they wanted NHS experience. Mrs Mustang is a sonographer and even provided me with an NHS presentation about NPfIT but that didn't sway them! Mind you - glad I am not responsible for managing THAT project!!

I guess that's the challange that I am currently focusing on - getting involved in other sectors. It's not just about negotiating either - why spend time/effort negotiating with the middle man.

If I want someone to redevelop something like my own agencies recruitment systems I would much prefer someone who has worked in this industry before, someone who understands the subtle dynamics of running a recruitment business. For example agencies use references as sources of business, so who other than someone who has extracted this information before would know that this may be important?

What worries me most is people who boast about having X years experience and writes something that they disagree with off as b******. A proper analyst or project manager would try and get behind why this view is held and deal with it properly and positively.

After all what is meant by someone saying that they do not want someone from outside banking or under a certain age? the truth is that they are genuinely worried about something that actually has nothing to do with age or experience.

[malvolio]

If I want someone to redevelop something like my own agencies recruitment systems I would much prefer someone who has worked in this industry before, someone who understands the subtle dynamics of running a recruitment business. For example agencies use references as sources of business, so who other than someone who has extracted this information before would know that this may be important?

What worries me most is people who boast about having X years experience and writes something that they disagree with off as b******. A proper analyst or project manager would try and get behind why this view is held and deal with it properly and positively.

After all what is meant by someone saying that they do not want someone from outside banking or under a certain age? the truth is that they are genuinely worried about something that actually has nothing to do with age or experience.

A valid argument as far as it goes - but I have banking expereince (about three years out the last 10) and that doesn't seem to count at all - I'm not in banking NOW, and that seems to make a difference. And there are skill areas, such as security, BCP and Service Management, that are not induistry dependent in the slightest. I could argue that keeping a safety-critical production facility on line for three years at 100% availability is no different to doing the same for a trading floor.

[Philhere]

Its not the EB that seem to demand past banking experience but the clients themselves. I've heaps of BCP experience which, as Malvolio rightly indicates, is very largely sector independent. Been in the financial sector for years but unless the last year was exactly the client's business (investment banking or asset management) then forget it.

Someone has to educate the end clients to be less selective. The only ones who can are the EBs ... but (mostly) the EBs don't want too, otherwise the client doesn't assign them the role (or they lose their exclusivity on the role) and also lose their fee. EBs just agree with the client and pocket the dosh IF they can get someone with the *right* background.

Any views DodgyAgent?

[senditback]

Someone has to educate the end clients to be less selective. The only ones who can are the EBs ... but (mostly) the EBs don't want too, otherwise the client doesn't assign them the role (or they lose their exclusivity on the role) and also lose their fee. EBs just agree with the client and pocket the dosh IF they can get someone with the *right* background.

Any views DodgyAgent?

A valid point it is the agents job to educate the client when they take a job spec. A PSL or sh#t agent will just take where their given as a spec which may be a few lines. The agents that are any good will get flexibilty with their spec, it is their job to make the gig as filable as possible otherwise they wont get paid.

IE Mr Client you have asked for 5 years WinRunner experience, 1 Years TSL scripting from scratch?....What about 2 Years WinRunner, 18 month TSL scripting? That gives flexibilty and the second option would be easier to find in this case for the agent.

In terms of industry specific experience again this is usually avoidable. It isn't too common that someone from one industry will not be able to pick another up almost instantly. The reason that it is asked for will happen for one of three reasons.

1) tulip agent, and uneducated client
2) The market dictates - when there are a lot more contractors then gigs, the client can be choosey... If you were shopping for a new suite and there was loads of choice, would you ask for one that was reasonably well fitted with an ok design or would you ask the attendant for a fitted suite and excellent design from their range. However if there are alot more jobs then there are contractors, you dont have the choice and you generally wont see the client being to picky.
3) Pretty obvious, the position demands experience. No doubt any good contractor could do the role given time, but they may be required to 'hit the ground running'

Usually another sh*t agent though. Best thing to do is ask them they want it. If they can't answer it in line with the importance of it for the project or at the very least justify it then they are sh*t and don't bother with them, because if they can't represent their client, how on Earth can they represent you at the other end?