Moving into a new sector

[bobspud]

You are right, domain knowledge is definitely important and would be an advantage however the core BA techniques and skills required can still be applied to all sectors and domain knowledge can be learnt in the process. it just sickening that agents dont even consider looking at your CV even though you have BA experience in other sectors. Guess I need to take a daily rate cut and a more junior BA role to break in

Thats down to how you come across. I come from from a consultancy background. So although I have done work within many industries I can bury the less savory ones into the Consultancy name instead so it makes that crossover easier. However Government departments won't want me because I look like the type of predatory wolf that spends all day screwing them for change controls to get more cash. The problem you are going to suffer going from public to finance is that your industry sector does not have a great name for delivering on time or on budget so you are going to need to find a way to look successful before a bank will even consider you.
I went nuts moving from a private sector firm to a public sector work ethic where a BA could fail to collect any meaningful requirements for several months at a time without issues...

[malvolio]

Nothing to do with skills and roles, all to do with risk management. They have to do a shedload of checks before taking anyone on, if you're already in banking they have a fair bet you won't fail them. Exactly the same idea as Security Clearance at the end of he day, and equally irritating.

[NickNick]

I'd say that it would be harder if you are a BA as there is domain knowledge to take into account. As a developer this is not so important than for a BA who is talking directly to the business.

Well, I'm a BA and it's not been as issue that I or any of my colleagues have encountered.