Skip to main content
School of Economics and Finance
  1. School of Economics and Finance
  2. News
  3. 2026
  4. Items

Networking in the UK Finance Market

Networking can be a great way to develop industry connections and build your understanding of your chosen sector. 

Published:

At QMUL, you’ll have the chance to network in-person and online through:  

  • Careers Fairs – We run several careers and job fairs throughout the year which are great opportunities to meet employers from a range of sectors. Past events include an Autumn Careers Fair and Spring Recruitment Fair 
  • QMUL-exclusive Employer Events – We invite employers onto campus to share insights into different industries and job/internship opportunities. Past events include a JP Morgan Careers Insights Day, Women in Finance Panel, Career Catalyst event (featuring employability workshops, employer panel and networking) 
  • Alumni Panels – We invite QMUL alumni onto campus to share their career journey and top tips for success in the job market. Past events include an International Alumni Panel and How to Break into Finance Alumni Panel  

These events are opportunities to have informational conversations with employers and alumni. It is very rare to be offered a job or interview during a networking event itself, but your newfound insight can help you build confidence and stand out during the job application process.  

The hidden job market  

In the UK, not every work experience opportunity is advertised on job boards. Many smaller or local employers may be able to support short-term internships or offer work shadowing opportunities but do not advertise these externally. You can use speculative applications to uncover opportunities from the hidden job market. 

Equally, through networking, you may meet industry professionals who are willing to have informal conversations about their role and how they got into finance. Some may even be open to providing work shadowing opportunities. 

You can expand your network by connecting with QMUL alumni, e.g. through LinkedIn. You can narrow down your search by looking for QMUL alumni in companies you’re interested in, or search by key terms or jobs you are interested in (e.g. Financial Analyst, Portfolio Analyst, Economic Consultant).  

Find out more:  

Get ahead: Create/update your LinkedIn profile  

Want to kick-start your professional career? Start by creating or updating your LinkedIn profile!  

Your LinkedIn profile acts as your ‘digital CV’, increasing your visibility to employers and recruiters. You can also use LinkedIn to contact (and stay in touch with) industry professionals. 

We recommend updating the following:  

  • Profile photo – use a high-quality headshot in natural lighting. Make sure you are dressed professionally and that your face is well-lit  
  • Headline – this is the section underneath your name. Use key words to boost Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and help your profile stand out. For example: Queen Mary MSc Finance | Aspiring Investment Analyst 
  • About section – this section should summarise your current experience (include statistics / data about past projects) and where you would like to be (the specific role and sector that you are interested in)  
  • Experience section – update with any paid or unpaid experiences you have completed 
  • Education section – update with your previous educational experience. Include your incoming MSc with QMUL 

 

 

Back to top