In the last finance jobs blog, we discussed how you might approach internships as a path to prosperity after graduation. Yet, there are other ways to ensure that you don’t end up working at a gas station and living in your parents’ basement – finance degree and all. Absorb these tips and apply them to your own life as you begin to plan your career move.

1.    Demonstrate Intellectual Curiosity.

One of the things that really impresses employers is the demonstration of intellectual curiosity. They know that they can train the right candidate, but they can’t force someone to want to learn if they are just not intellectually curious. So begin by subscribing to as many financial news publications as you can – the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Barron’s and The Economist, for example. Begin to understand industry jargon, trends and topics of interest. Read books on investing, watch tutorials, and download guides that you feel will help you in your field.

2.     Aim For A CFA.

It’s safe to say most grads applying for finance jobs will have come from good schools with good GPAs. So to make yourself stand out, you can take the Chartered Financial Analyst exam. Eventually, you’ll need to pass three exams and have four years of eligible work experience to get the full designation, but you can take your first exam in the last year of your bachelor’s program (usually in December or June.) Having the jump on your competition is something you can put on your resume.

3.      Research Finance Employers.

Lastly, you’ll want to look up the top firms offering finance jobs to new grads. Forbes and US News & World Report often publish annual features on the “Top Employers” and “Best Internships.” Research the corporate culture of these companies to see if you might find a fit with your personality and career ambitions. Having a list of finance jobs you’d like to apply to closer to graduation will help you remain focused and organized during the difficult months ahead.