Upskill your future career with the right knowledge & tools
Preparing for a career in finance can feel overwhelming in today’s rapidly changing job market. Understanding how global capital markets operate requires a strong grasp of financial theory, economic insight and market dynamics.
Join this live webinar hosted by LSEG and Training The Street (TTS) to explore two powerful resources designed to help you do just that.
You’ll discover how the LSEG Finance Essentials Programme helps students and early-career professionals build a foundational understanding of global capital markets—combining financial theory, market structure, and economic context.
Then, see how TTS’s AI-powered interview preparation tool can help you sharpen your responses, practice with real financial scenarios, and build confidence ahead of applications and interviews.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
- Navigate key concepts in capital markets with the Finance Essentials Programme
- Use LSEG Workspace to explore and analyse real market data
- Upskill effectively to stay competitive in today’s evolving employment landscape
- Practice interview scenarios with TTS’s AI-driven tool, built for finance roles
Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your knowledge and your confidence.
Register to watch on demand >
Relevant tools
*Remember your discount code!
Use cupon code "LSEG_2025" to get 25% off all self-studies. Valid through end of 2025.
VIEW ON DEMAND
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You can adjust your preferences at any time through the preference link in any electronic communication that you receive from us.For more information on how LSEG uses your data, see our Privacy Statement.
You can adjust your preferences at any time through the preference link in any electronic communication that you receive from us.
For more information on how LSEG uses your data, see our Privacy Statement.
You can adjust your preferences at any time through the preference link in any electronic communication that you receive from us.For more information on how LSEG uses your data, see our Privacy Statement.
You can adjust your preferences at any time through the preference link in any electronic communication that you receive from us.
SPEAKERS
Maxime Slim (CFA, MBA)
Senior Customer Success Manager
LSEG
Scott Rostan
Founder
Training The Street
Dave Thomas (CFA, MBA)
Director, Client Strategy
Training The Street
FAQ
Finance Essentials
- Can anyone get the Finance Essentials Certification, or do you need a Workspace license?
You don't need an LSEG Workspace license to take or pass the Finance Essentials Certification. the certification is open and free to anyone with the right email. Having a workspace license is helpful for some hands-on modules but its not a requisite.
If you're ready to start, access LSEG's Learning Center, register with your corporate or academic email and dive in!
- What is the structure of the certification?
The program consists of seven online modules (Introduction to LSEG Workspace, Capital Markets Overview, Economics, Currencies, Fixed Income, Equities and Excel/Codebook) and will take approximately five hours to complete.
Learners will be provided one hour to complete a final assessment consisting of 30 multiple choice questions, requiring +75% to pass. Instant results with one retake allowed.
Upon successful completion, you receive a digital certificate that will attest to your knowledge and can be shared with social networks and future employers.
- Which content are covered in the certification?
The FE modules cover an Introduction to LSEG Workspace, a Capital Markets Overview, Economics, Currencies, Fixed Income, Equities and Excel/Codebook.
- If I failed the test more than twice, how long do i need to wait to be able to try to get the certificate again?
If you have failed twice, reach out to us and we will get you a third opportunity, although you may have to wait some time.
- I have already completed Finance Essentials, do you have any other courses available to continue developing my skills?
LSEG also offers certifications on our key products: LSEG Workspace, World-Check One and Datastream.
- Are there any courses around LSEG Workspace?
- How does this certification help a graduate looking to working as a business analyst?
Training the Street
- In TTS SmartPrep AI, will users' data be used to train the AI or will it remain private?
Data is private and not used to train AI.
- Does the $99 quote include the study and AI components, or just the study component?
The base product at $99 includes just Ai Simulations:
- 3 Industries (Corporate Finance/Investment Banking, Private Equity, and Investment Management)
- Behavioral Interviews: Practice showcasing why your skills, experience and demeanor fit with company culture and needs.
- Technical interviews: Practice showcasing your finance knowledge and problem-solving skills in a technical interview
- Detailed Feedback: Your coach will evaluate your performance against scenario objectives, provide actionable suggestions for improvement and feedback based on soft skills competencies and your tone, expressions, and eye contact during simulations
The $149 product includes:
- Everything in SmartPrep AI
- Coaching: Engage with avatars to dive deep into both behavioral and technical interview topics. Coaching experiences are designed to support those just getting started or feeling unsure of their ability to effectively answer questions
- Tailored Experience: Upload your resume and target job descriptions to better replicate your actual interview experience
- Detailed Feedback: Your coach will evaluate your performance against scenario objectives, provide actionable suggestions for improvement and feedback based on soft skills competencies and your tone, expressions, and eye contact during simulations.
Mastering The Interview Bundle includes self-study materials and is a great value at $250. Contains:
- Smart Prep AI+ ($149 bundle)
- Interview Prep Course ($100)
- Foundations Bundle ($200)
- How can we access Colleva? Is it a paid product and which one would be suitable for someone looking for a job interview?
Colleva is a paid product and is suitable for those looking to prepare for a job interview. You can access after purchase. You will be directed to the Colleva portal through your Training The Street Login.
Advice for a career in finance
- What advice would you give to a fresh graduate from a finance major with no prior experience in the finance industry, trying to break into the finance industry right after graduating?
Focus on building a strong foundation in technical skills like Excel, financial modeling, and accounting concepts as these are highly valued. Leverage your network: connect with alumni, attend industry events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. Also, consider internships, volunteering, or project work to gain practical exposure. Be persistent and tailor your applications to highlight transferable skills such as analytical thinking and problem-solving.
- How to stand out in your CV? Do certain universities have a better chance of getting accepted to jobs?
To make your CV stand out, you need to have something that sets you apart. Recruiters first look at threshold factors like your academic performance, so strong grades do matter. Beyond that, focus on everything that builds your credibility—relevant coursework, extracurricular involvement, competitions, certifications (such as Finance Essentials), or volunteer work that demonstrates initiative.
Your written communication is critical at this stage. Your CV and cover letter must be clear, polished, and free of typos—these documents are your first impression.
When you progress to interviews, your story becomes key. Think carefully about your narrative: how do you clearly and seamlessly explain your journey so far, your commitment to a career in finance, and the work you’ve done to prepare? People want to get to know you, not just your qualifications. They may make assumptions based on your background or studies, so use the opportunity to reinforce your genuine interest in the field and highlight the skills you bring.
While certain universities may offer stronger alumni networks or more direct access to recruiters, what truly differentiates candidates is how effectively they present their story, skills, and motivation.
- Which part of the year is best to look for finance role jobs?
Recruitment cycles vary by region and role. For investment banking and large firms, applications typically open in late summer to early autumn for the following year’s intake.
In the US, there is definitely a seasonality to the recruiting process in finance. Larger companies—such as investment banks base much of their hiring on their summer internship programs. That means you often need to apply and interview approximately 18 months ahead of the intended start date.
If you’re not in that cycle, don’t worry—but be prepared to work harder to break in. This is where networking, especially with alumni, becomes critical. You might need to take opportunities in smaller firms or in locations outside major financial hubs but the important thing is to just get started. There are no “bad jobs” at the start of your career. Every role helps you build skills and prepare for the next step.
For other finance roles, hiring can happen year-round, though Q1 and Q3 often see spikes due to budget cycles and business needs. Keep monitoring job boards and company career pages regularly. Hiring away from the normal recruitment cycle, known as lateral or off-cycle hiring, is often undertaken to fill a role or opening from unexpected business volumes or from a departure. They often occur in specialized areas (e.g. technology, health care, natural resources) so if you have industry specific expertise this can represent an additional gateway to a finance job. Networking will be key here.
- Is it possible to land a role without previous experience or internship?
Yes, it is possible, but you need to be strategic and it requires effort in demonstrating your readiness. If you’ve missed the typical internship cycle, you’ll need to work harder to stand out. That means making the most of networking opportunities, connecting with alumni, and being open to starting roles that might not be your “ideal” job right away. The key is to get your foot in the door, gain experience, and keep preparing for the next role. Every job is a step toward building your skills, credibility, and ultimately positioning yourself for where you want to be.
Many firms have graduate or trainee programs designed for candidates with limited experience.
- Does needing sponsorship drastically affect your chances of getting a job? If yes, what are some solutions to this?
Needing sponsorship can add complexity, as not all firms offer it, and some may prioritize candidates who don’t require it. However, it’s not impossible. Solutions include:
- Targeting multinational firms and sectors known for sponsoring (e.g., investment banks, large asset managers).
- Applying early, as firms may have sponsorship quotas.
- Considering internships or contract roles that could lead to sponsorship.
- Exploring graduate schemes that explicitly state they offer sponsorship.
