I was talking to someone who had left a job, and her old boss had chided her for leaving without giving a full two weeks notice. I said,” I didn't realize the company you worked for gave two weeks severance pay.” She looked at me confused, like she had been hit on the head with a board. Most people don't realize that you don't owe notice to a company that doesn't provide severance pay. Many people don't even know what severance pay is anymore because that America's mostly gone. In some jobs, this America still exists: however, which is what brings me to this blog's subject; banking is a good career move.
Now first I must write about the obvious downside to bank employment if you should start as a teller. Banks get robbed. However; most bank employees will never experience this. And, according to Crime America Net, in 2009, no customer or bank employee died from a bank robbery, though 23 bank robbers did. ( Though take over bank robberies are more frequent now and they're very scary with criminals often threatening violence).
Also, to be fair, unfortunately, in this world there's probably actually no safe place to be or work because of terrorism, crime and the fact that the Supreme Court has made it almost impossible to commit even violent people who are obviously insane. However, one's fear of the chances of being a victim in a crime is something each person must consider when applying for a bank teller or manager's job, or any retail job for that matter.
Nonetheless, the upsides to bank employment are many:
- One in four jobs is full time. This means an employee gets the hours needed to earn money all year round. The hours can be long and on weekends though because banker's hours don't exist anymore.Note: You have to be careful though as some large banks will offer you a job that's a temp to perm job where only 30% of those involved actually get hired. This is disappointing, of course, and resource draining if you move and ultimately don't get the job.
- Full time jobs come with many benefits, especially if an employee sticks with one bank. In healthcare, everything from medical, dental and eye care can be offered. These financial jobs also offer retirement plans, stock options, vacation time which grows substantially with years of service, severance packages if you're let go once you qualify, sick days, maternity leave and daycare re-reimbursements.The starting pay is above average, and there are regular and often sizable raises not seen in other jobs. The work environment is also often pleasant, though there can be eye stress and, of course, mental pressure as you will handle large sums of money.
- Often only a high school degree is needed for tellers and if you want to go to school, many banks have education re-reimbursement programs. This means they're a great place for high level advancement, even for originally lower level hires.
- For those with college degrees, the advancement levels are even greater. Incomes often can range in the mid to high 5 figures to start, with compensation eventually being measured in the multi-millions of dollars for those with the right stuff. The career choice also vary as there are many kinds of banks, from regular cash a check banks, to brokerage houses that handle billions of dollars daily
Banking's a good career and banking establishments have good records in complying with civil rights laws.
By
Jeffrey Ruzicka
Jeffrey Ruzicka is a retired executive of a small company that specializes in industrial water treatment. He lives happily with his wife in Western Pennsylvania. He is a contributing writer to FinancialJobBank, FinancialJobBankBlog and Nexxt.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!