Ultimate Guide to the SIE Exam (2024)

After the SIE Exam

Best Jobs in the Financial Services Industry

Passing the SIE Exam is a smart idea If you’re looking for a career opportunity within the financial industry. While you aren’t eligible to engage in securities with only a SIE Exam qualification, it is an important stepping stone into a career in finance, securities, research, operations, and more.

After passing the SIE Exam, it’s time to take a qualification, or “top-off” exam, which will allow individuals to engage in securities activities. An employer sponsor, as well as a member of FINRA, will advise you on which exam to take.

Here are the best careers to get from the SIE Exam and their adjoining top-off exams that are offered for each particular qualification.

Series 6 - Investment Company Representative
After taking the SIE Exam, becoming an investment company representative is a smart career choice. Individuals who want to go down this path need to take the Series 6 – Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam.

An individual who passes the Series 6 exam is then qualified to solicitate, purchase, or sell the following securities products:

- - Mutual Funds
  - Variable Annuities
  - Variable Life Insurance
  - Unit Investment Trusts
  - Municipal Fund Securities

Series 7 - General Securities Representative
With a SIE Exam qualification, becoming a general securities representative is a great option. Individuals who want to go down this path need to take the Series 7 – General Securities Representative Exam.

An individual who passes the Series 7 exam is then qualified to solicitate, purchase, or sell the following securities products:

- - Corporate Securities
  - Municipal Fund Securities
  - Options
  - Direct Participation Programs
  - Investment Company Products
  - Variable Contracts

Series 22 - Direct Participation Program Representative
Passing the SIE Exam offers the opportunity for individuals to become a direct participation program representative. Individuals who want to go down this path need to take the Series 22 – Direct Participation Programs Representative Exam.

An individual who passes the Series 22 exam is then qualified to cover activities and products, including:

- - Direct Participation Programs
  - Limited Partnerships
  - Limited Liability Companies
  - S Corporations

Series 57 - Securities Trader
After taking the SIE Exam, becoming a securities trader representative is a wise career choice. Individuals who want to go down this path need to take the Series 57 – Securities Trader Representative Exam.

An individual who passes the Series 57 exam is then qualified to cover activities and products, including:

- - NASDAQ Equity Trading
  - OTC Equity Trading
  - Proprietary Trading

Series 79 - Investment Banking Representative
With a SIE Exam qualification, becoming an investment baking representative is a fantastic option. Individuals who want to go down this path need to take the Series 79 – Investment Banking Representative Exam.

An individual who passes the Series 79 exam is then qualified to advise and facilitate the following:

- - Debt and Equity Offerings
  - Mergers and Acquisitions
  - Tender Offers
  - Financial Restructurings
  - Asset Sales
  - Divestitures or Other Corporate Reorganizations
  - Business Combination Transactions

Series 82 - Private Securities Offerings Representative
Passing the SIE Exam offers the opportunity for individuals to become a private securities offerings representative. Individuals who want to go down this path need to take the Series 82 – Private Securities Offerings Representative Exam.

How to Prepare for Financial Services Interviews

Passing the SIE exam is a crucial step toward a long and prosperous financial services career. If you've made it that far, congratulations! You now have an exciting journey ahead of you, from updating your professional documents to lining up job interviews to scoring your first financial services position.

Update Your Resume

Keeping your resume and professional networking profiles, such as LinkedIn, up to date ensures that your new accomplishment stands out to potential employers

Update Social Media

Let your followers know that you passed the SIE exam. You may make new connections with other professionals in the industry who have advice or potential opportunities for you.

Apply

Start by looking for finance companies on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn but also try job listing sites specific to the financial services industry, such as eFinancialCareers or Financial Job Bank. You can consider joining a professional association such as the Association for Financial Professionals, and search for jobs through their platform.

Practice

One of the best ways to prepare is to hold mock interviews with someone you know that can give you honest feedback. Did your answers seem natural or stilted? Did you appear confident or uncomfortable? Use that feedback to improve your performance in actual interviews.

Stay Motivated

Interviewing can be a long and frustrating process, and it is essential to be persistent even in the face of failure. Remember that every missed opportunity can lead to new opportunities in the future, and stay professional and persistent until you land the position you want.

How to Be Successful in the Financial Services Industry

Many aspiring finance professionals don’t know how to enter the finance industry, and it can be overwhelming to find a solid starting point. One great place to start is by taking the entry-level SIE exam. Getting your SIE certification shows employers that you have the drive and aptitude to succeed in the finance industry. One of the best ways to prepare for the SIE exam is to take a prep course, such as the ones we offer at Pass
Perfect.

Getting a certification is not the only way to begin your financial services career.Consider pursuing other accreditations or even degrees to build your financial skillsetand prove to employers that you have what it takes to succeed.

1. Network!
Once you have established a skillset, your next step is to establish or update your professional documents, such as your resumé and LinkedIn profile. Be sure to include your work experience, certifications, degrees, and any other relevant information that could help you stand out from the crowd.

After updating your professional profiles and paperwork, your priority should be networking. Making connections in the financial services industry can be the key to landing a fantastic job. You can also learn a great deal from fellow industry professionals, and many will be happy to take you under your wing and provide you with guidance on how to succeed. Consider attending networking events, such as through finance industry professional associations or local universities. Attending career fairs can also be a great way to learn about possible career options and meet accomplished
people in your field.

2. Choose a Financial Industry You Will Excel In
When planning how to be successful in the financial industry, setting specific and realistic career goals is crucial. Once you know what you plan to do with your future, you can work toward achieving those goals.

Start by researching the industries available for you to work in. The wide range of options is a large part of why working in the financial services industry is so appealing. Perhaps you would like to be a sales rep or broker in the insurance industry. Maybe you want to start with an entry-level job in the banking industry, working with customers on their finances. Perhaps you would rather work in accounting and manage financial
accounts for clients.

Consider which aspects of the finance industry appeal to you most, such as helping
everyday people with their finances or securing financial investments for businesses. Use the job aspects you find ideal to determine which financial services industry sector would be the best fit for you.

3. Career Success
Breaking into the industry can be difficult, and it is crucial to maintain a healthy career once you do. Not only should you complete quality work at the job you worked so hard to get, but the professional relationships you build at your job will be a vital part of securing a future in the financial industry. Ultimately, making a good impression on your boss, colleagues, and fellow professionals will lead you to career success.

To stay focused and free from burnout, always work toward achieving a healthy worklife balance. The more you take care of yourself outside of work, the better you’ll function at work. When negotiating with an employer, don’t be afraid to push for flexible hours, remote work, and paid time off.