Let’s talk about career switchers.
Every week, I hear from people who say things like:
“I’ve worked in banking for 10 years. I’m ready to move into treasury.”
“I’ve led cash forecasting before. I’m studying the CTP and FMVA. I’d love to go full treasury.”
“I work in credit / risk / finance / tax – but treasury just looks more interesting.”
Honestly, I love hearing that.
It means treasury is getting the recognition it deserves.
But here’s the bit that’s less fun to say…
Just wanting to work in treasury doesn’t mean you’re ready to.
And hiring managers are not just looking for enthusiasm – they’re looking for experience.
Here’s what doesn’t work:
- A CV that says “I’ve worked with treasury teams before…”
- A cover letter that says “I’m a quick learner with transferable skills…”
- A LinkedIn DM asking for a treasury role despite no treasury background.
That’s all great. But you’re basically saying that you want to be paid while learning the job from scratch on someone else’s time and money.
That’s how it sounds when you apply for treasury roles without any treasury experience. Or a variety of jobs, for that matter.
But here’s what DOES work:
- Highlighting the relevant bits you have done – cash forecasting, liquidity, funding, FX
- Take the CTP exam (or at least start studying towards it)
- Getting exposure in your current role – side projects, shadowing, anything that touches treasury
- Exploring ALM or FS treasury roles as a stepping stone from credit, banking or investment backgrounds
Let me give you a few real examples from people I’ve spoken to recently who wanted to move into treasury:
- Rob was leading cash forecasting, studying both the CTP and FMVA, and proactively carving a path toward treasury.
That’s a great start. I told him to make sure his CV screams treasury – put those skills front and centre, even if they’re just a slice of what he’s doing now.
- Anya had an impressive finance pedigree – CFA, Ivy League, the works – but no hands-on treasury.
I suggested a pivot: use her credit and risk experience to break into FS treasury or ALM, then aim for corporate treasury.
A sideways step is often smarter than trying to leap straight in.
- And Pablo was eager to switch to treasury but didn’t know where to start. I told him the truth:
Start somewhere. Study the CTP. Network.
Try to shift internally. But also be realistic.
This is a niche field with plenty of people already doing it. Just wanting it isn’t enough.
Now, here’s the advice I wish more people heard:
You CAN break into treasury…
But you need to show your work, put in the study hours, reposition your experience, and make it easy for a hiring manager to see why you’re a fit…
Don’t apply expecting a company to train you from scratch. That’s not how hiring works in this market.
And you can absolutely reach out to us. But we’re not career coaches, and we’re not running a training academy…
We help clients hire candidates who are ready to hit the ground running.
Want to get there? Then you’ll have to prove you’re putting in the work before you apply.
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. Thinking about applying for the CTP exam?
Head to www.TreasuryRecruitment.com/Partners for an exclusive discount to help you get started, and also discounts to attend the AFP Conference in Boston in October where I’ll be speaking too!
