Q&A: I have no qualifications and went from a Bank Teller to Commercial Analyst in 18 months

I am based in the US and am high school educated with no formal qualification. I went from a Bank Teller to a Commercial Analyst in under 18 months through a series of promotions. I work at a renown institution. Ask me anything. I am hoping that this will serve as helpful for anyone who is interested in finance and starting at the lowest rung of the ladder . The ambitious taking the road less travelled.

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Getting the right person to realise I was fucking good and doing it without expecting or wanting anything in return. I learned how the game was played much quicker than a graduate due to long hours and careful observation. I gave my life to the industry for no reason but to see how it ended. I didn’t do stupid stuff that resulted in the political missteps that most graduates make when trying to “network”. This set me apart and the perception of me being “switched on” spread.

When a manager wants to hire someone they don’t look at a pile of resumes for the most qualified. They ask their closest political allies if they know of someone who is a monster at what they do. I made it so that the people I crossed paths with knew I’d make them look good.

 

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