Working as a money advisor

Legacy_user

Hello,


Are there any people here who work as money advisors for debt charities or similar roles?


I've seen a vacancy that I like the look of, and suit what they're looking for, and think I'm interested in applying, and exploring.


Wanted to find out from those who work in money advice , how you find the role, and what got you into it?


Are you using it as a stepping stone to other roles in finance or financial sector you may be interested in, or interested to stay and develop in the role in it's own right?





And any other advice or tips, and experiences to share.


Thank you in advance.

sourcrates

Hi,

You have to be a certain kind of person to advise people on money and debt matters, if your easily critical of others, and you think people in debt deserve to be there, then it’s possibly not the vocation for you.

On the other hand if you can sympathise with people’s situations, realise life is never as clear cut as some make it out to be, can listen, and explain things in a clear concise manner, then it may be a very rewarding job to have.

I have extensive knowledge of the debt collection and money advice industry, mostly from personal experience, but from study as well, I do this on a part time volunteer basis, I would love to do it full time, as I think I would be good at it, but alas the nearest office of stepchange is in Leeds, far too far for me to commute.

You need an empathy with people’s situations, because most have no idea we’re to turn, who to seek help from, or even what there rights or options are where debt is concerned.

If you like helping others, and get some satisfaction from doing so, then go ahead and apply for it, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of having helped someone out of a situation they cannot handle alone.

fatbelly

I work as a debt specialist for Citizens Advice.

You should definitely look into that job opportunity, and I agree with everything sourcrates said.

I think it's unlikely you would walk straight into a paid role in money advice without some track record.

For me it was a second career that opened up without being planned after working as a volunteer at Citizens Advice for 5 years. It's the best thing I ever did and I still enjoy every day. I could say a lot more but have to go shopping...

To add a bit to sourcrates, you need to like helping others, and enjoy giving the big organisations a bit of a kicking. If you do, then the job's win-win.

System

sourcrates wrote: »

Hi,

You have to be a certain kind of person to advise people on money and debt matters, if your easily critical of others, and you think people in debt deserve to be there, then it’s possibly not the vocation for you.

On the other hand if you can sympathise with people’s situations, realise life is never as clear cut as some make it out to be, can listen, and explain things in a clear concise manner, then it may be a very rewarding job to have.

I have extensive knowledge of the debt collection and money advice industry, mostly from personal experience, but from study as well, I do this on a part time volunteer basis, I would love to do it full time, as I think I would be good at it, but alas the nearest office of stepchange is in Leeds, far too far for me to commute.

You need an empathy with people’s situations, because most have no idea we’re to turn, who to seek help from, or even what there rights or options are where debt is concerned.

If you like helping others, and get some satisfaction from doing so, then go ahead and apply for it, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of having helped someone out of a situation they cannot handle alone.

Hey hey. Thank you so much for your response. I'll deffo be applying for the role, thank you

System

fatbelly wrote: »

I work as a debt specialist for Citizens Advice.

You should definitely look into that job opportunity, and I agree with everything sourcrates said.

I think it's unlikely you would walk straight into a paid role in money advice without some track record.

For me it was a second career that opened up without being planned after working as a volunteer at Citizens Advice for 5 years. It's the best thing I ever did and I still enjoy every day. I could say a lot more but have to go shopping...

To add a bit to sourcrates, you need to like helping others, and enjoy giving the big organisations a bit of a kicking. If you do, then the job's win-win.

Hey hey.


Thank you for your reply. Very insightful.


I suit all the criteria they're looking for, based on my current role and prior experience, so will submit an application, and see how it goes.

System

My brother does this working for the local authority helping people who are in council tax and rent arrears with personal finance to try to keep them in their homes and out of prison. Given how much more I know about it than he does it appears that knowledge of personal finance and making the best of your money to the levels of advice given on the MSE site and forums isn't a pre-requisite for the job.

System

Tarambor wrote: »

My brother does this working for the local authority helping people who are in council tax and rent arrears with personal finance to try to keep them in their homes and out of prison. Given how much more I know about it than he does it appears that knowledge of personal finance and making the best of your money to the levels of advice given on the MSE site and forums isn't a pre-requisite for the job.

I'm not really sure if the latter bit of your comment was a dig against your brother or me, but I'm applying based on my interest, and career experience, and having looked at the requirements , my skills and experience match what they are looking for to apply . So I can safely say that I won't be solely relying on the level on MSE forum advice haha. But maybe if you ever need a new career, you know what you could do

fatbelly

Sweetcake wrote: »

Hey hey.


Thank you for your reply. Very insightful.


I suit all the criteria they're looking for, based on my current role and prior experience, so will submit an application, and see how it goes.

Let us know how you get on

Tarambor wrote: »

My brother does this working for the local authority helping people who are in council tax and rent arrears with personal finance to try to keep them in their homes and out of prison. Given how much more I know about it than he does it appears that knowledge of personal finance and making the best of your money to the levels of advice given on the MSE site and forums isn't a pre-requisite for the job.

That would be my observation too about local authority 'advisers'. The phrase 'money advice' usually refers to something a bit more specific than the roles in a council's revenues or benefits department and I'm sure some of the advice on here would be a step further than they are allowed to go.

Willing2Learn

Sweetcake wrote: »

Are there any people here who work as money advisors for debt charities or similar roles?


I've seen a vacancy that I like the look of, and suit what they're looking for, and think I'm interested in applying, and exploring.

Hi, I work for a charity with vulnerable adults who have substance misuse or mental health problems. Most of my work is to do with their housing and care packages. Sometimes, clients present with major debt issues and I signpost them to the folks such as sourcrates or fatbelly for specialist support and advice.

I just wanted to say what a wonderful job it is to get to work with such vulnerable people and to chart their progress through the system. You go for it, if you believe you have the necessary transferable skills and all-important empathy. It can be a very rewarding job too...

Good luck with your application

System

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Hi, I work for a charity with vulnerable adults who have substance misuse or mental health problems. Most of my work is to do with their housing and care packages. Sometimes, clients present with major debt issues and I signpost them to the folks such as sourcrates or fatbelly for specialist support and advice.

I just wanted to say what a wonderful job it is to get to work with such vulnerable people and to chart their progress through the system. You go for it, if you believe you have the necessary transferable skills and all-important empathy. It can be a very rewarding job too...

Good luck with your application

Thank you so much, I really appreciate this