Financial advisors help individuals and businesses make decisions about investments, pensions, protection, mortgages, and estate planning. A typical day involves client meetings, preparing suitability reports, researching products and platforms, managing existing portfolio reviews, and generating new client leads. Most work for an IFA firm, a wealth management house, or a bank's advisory division, reporting to a senior partner or managing director. The role splits between technical financial planning work and relationship management — clients stay with advisors who make them feel looked after, not just financially successful.
Claire Davidson
Financial Advisor
📍 Edinburgh, UK✉️ claire.davidson@email.com
Summary
Chartered Financial Planner with 7 years of experience providing holistic financial advice to high-net-worth individuals. Manages client portfolios totalling £45M+ AUM. Specialist in retirement planning, investment management, and estate planning.
Work Experience
Senior Financial Advisor at St. James's Place Wealth ManagementMar 2021 — Present
Manage portfolio of 120+ high-net-worth clients with combined AUM of £45M+
Generated £380K annual revenue through new business acquisition and existing client growth
Financial Advisor at Quilter Financial PlanningJul 2017 — Mar 2021
Built client book from scratch to 85 clients generating £180K annual recurring revenue
Financial Advisor CVs are driven by numbers. Recruiters want to see your CII level, AUM managed, annual revenue generated, client retention rate, and specialist areas like pensions or estate planning.
Not including your revenue figures. This is a commercial role. If you generate £380K annually with 98% client retention, those numbers must be in your opening summary.
Formatting Tips
One page. Lead with your CII level and AUM. Include a Key Metrics section: annual revenue, client count, retention rate, and VouchedFor rating.
Average Salary — Financial Advisor
United States
$65,000 – $120,000
United Kingdom
$50,000 – $90,000
Germany
$52,000 – $88,000
UAE / Dubai
$60,000 – $110,000
Canada
$60,000 – $105,000
Australia
$65,000 – $110,000
Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.
Top 5 Interview Questions — Financial Advisor
1How do you establish a client's attitude to risk, and how do you use that in your recommendations?
Go beyond mentioning a risk questionnaire — describe how you probe further through conversation, how you reconcile stated tolerance with actual portfolio behaviour, and how you document your rationale. This is core FCA/SEC suitability territory.
2Describe how you'd approach a client who has just inherited £500,000 and has no investment experience.
Walk through your fact-find, immediate steps (cash parking, tax position review), the education process, phased investment rationale, and the platforms or wrappers you'd consider. Show patience and process, not a rush to invest.
3How do you manage a client relationship when markets have fallen sharply and they're panicking?
Show your communication strategy — proactive contact, reviewing their plan against long-term goals, reminding them of the original rationale. The best advisors prevent emotional decisions; describe how you've done that in practice.
4What's your current book of business and how do you manage and grow it?
Be specific — number of clients, AUM range, service model (annual reviews, ad hoc contact, segments). Describe your client acquisition approach: referrals, professional introducer relationships, networking. Firms want advisors who own this, not ones who wait for leads.
5How do you approach a client who wants a product recommendation that you don't think is suitable?
Be clear that suitability is non-negotiable — explain your obligation, document your concerns, and present alternatives. If the client insists, you need to decline or refer. This is a compliance and ethics question as much as a client management one.
How to Tailor Your CV
Wealth managers like St. James's Place, Quilter, Evelyn Partners, and Investec look for advisors who combine strong technical knowledge with excellent client relationship skills. Your CV should highlight your AUM, client retention rate, and the breadth of services you advise on — pensions, investments, protection, estate planning. FCA authorisation and Level 4 Diploma as a minimum; chartered status (CFP, CFPCM) will set you apart at senior level.