I am 28 years old and have been working as a financial journalist for two years. Before this, I worked for a year providing marketing services for financial derivatives to investment banks. In the long term, I want to become a marketing or investment specialist so for my next step I want to apply for a position related to investor relations, PR or marketing. As I don't possess a CFA qualification or business degree, or come from a top university, will it be hard to find a good position? Raymond

You mention that you want to become a marketing or investment specialist. The two roles are very different and will lead you onto very different paths. Therefore, you need to first decide which path you want to follow.

If you want to become an investment specialist where you are selling investment products, you will need to have qualifications from the Securities and Futures Commission and other relevant licensing requirements. If your focus is more on being an investment analyst, then employers will be looking for a relevant economics or finance degree and a CFA qualification.

In order to take on a marketing role, obtaining experience in financial services doing in-house marketing or PR would be an appropriate step.

Finally, when an employer is recruiting, they look for people who have a clear vision of what they want to achieve. It is very important that your next move is in the direction that you want to go in the long term and you need to spend a reasonable amount of time in one company.

I recommend that you talk to people who work in the areas that you are interested in, so you gain full understanding about these careers.

Mark Enticott is the managing director of Ambition Hong Kong, a leading global boutique recruitment firm with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and London. Ambition specialises in the banking and financial services, finance and accounting, technology, and sales and marketing sectors.