Many financial analysts have solid financial background and qualifications. How can you differentiate yourself from your peers in the competitive financial industry? If you and your peers offer similar level of value to the organization, how can you increase the chances of you getting the next promotion or keeping your job safe during cutbacks? Having strong people skills will distinguish from your competing peers. Here are five characteristics that will help your colleagues to better know you, like you and trust you.



Positive attitude - Everybody prefers to work with someone who is enthusiastic than one who complains. Do you embrace new responsibilities or do you grumble about having too much work? Do you see challenges as opportunities or threats? Are you a proactive action taker or are you easily influenced by negative events? Be sure that you are part of the solution and not part of the problem. Take initiatives and be willing to exceed expectations of your colleagues.

Emotional maturity - It is understandable that a financial analyst is stressed out under the intensity of work. Be responsible for your own your own feelings and keep them under control in the workplace. Take an honest look at yourself. Are you quick tempered? Do you act on impulses often? Do you express your emotions and vent out your frustrations in healthy ways? Exercise, rest and relaxation are just a few simple ways you can release tension. It you want to go far in your career, emotional maturity is critical quality to have.

Empathy - This is the ability to identify and understand the wants, needs and perspective of others. If you remember that your fellow co-workers are under work pressure just like you and some may even have their personal struggles to deal with, you can be more understanding of their seemingly unfriendly behavior. Empathetic people are often good listeners who can recognize the underlying wants and needs of others. Empathy is a basic quality of an excellent leader and is the foundation for developing strong people relationships.

Team player - It may be counter-intuitive to help your co-workers when some, like you, may be vying for the next promotion. Although you will be evaluated based on your individual performance, you belong to a team. Share your knowledge with your colleagues. Helping your team and its members achieve their goals will earn you the support and respect of others. When you help to give solutions to your team members, they will also reciprocate the support when you are in need.

Network - The more people you connect with, the wider your network for information, ideas and potential opportunities. Do you have any regular networking meetings? Do many people know about your quality work and great work attitude? Does anyone know about your work achievements? Be authentic but do not brag. Networking is the opportunity to apply the people skills that you have developed.

Know yourself first. Observe and see how you currently interact with people. This is a good way to enhance your interpersonal skills. Are you welcome by your co-workers or do they tend to exclude you? Where do you have room for improvement? Do you complain and whine often and have a negative attitude? What are the qualities that people like about you? Keep them up.

Your people skills will be the crucial factor differentiating you from you peer financial analysts. When a position opens, the first candidate to be considered is a positive team player and who can understand the wants and needs of others. Of course, it helps to have people know about these valuable qualities of yours. When the time comes to compile the hit list during cutbacks, you can be sure the unfriendly individual that few people know about will go first.