As well as having excellent knowledge of financial products and principles to planning (which you will gain as you take the various qualifications), you need to have some more general skills to succeed in the role. These include:

• Approachability – you will be discussing sensitive matters, which can be difficult for people especially if they are going through a tough time such as divorce. Having a warm and open approach will help people be unguarded with you.
   
• Good listening skills – often, clients won’t be forthcoming with information. You may need to read between the lines and know the right questions to ask. Sometimes, they simply don’t realise that telling you how many children they have, for example, is important for their financial planning. It is your job to find this out by listening to every detail.
   
• Objectivity – clients are turning to you for an objective, unbiased view of their finances and the best way to achieve their goals.
   
• Reliability – by being responsive, reliable and honest, you will build trust with your clients for a long-lasting relationship.
   
• Writing skills – although financial advice is a numbers game, you will need to write reports for clients. These should be well written, in easy-to-understand language, to ensure clients fully understand the advice you are giving.

At Future Financial Adviser our Partners each offer a training and qualification route to becoming a financial adviser and can also place you in work at the end of it.  Please visit our Develop your career – connect with our partners channel.