Growing In Your Financial Planning Career

Whether you enjoy setting New Year’s resolutions or not, the beginning of the year is always a good time to evaluate your personal and professional life. No matter where you are in your financial planning career, now’s your chance to look ahead and choose some goals to pursue for the coming year.

If you’re ready to expand your career this year, we’ve got you covered. Follow these steps to set yourself up to grow in your financial planning career in 2025 — and beyond!

Financial Planning Career Tip #1: Start With the Right Education and Certifications

Professional credentials can help you stand out from the crowd when you’re looking for a job and encourage clients to trust you. While there are many different certifications you can pursue, the best place to start is to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional.

The CFP® certification is widely recognized as the gold standard in this profession. Earning this credential shows that you have in-depth knowledge about investing, retirement, budgeting, and other financial planning essentials. You’ll also commit to serving as a fiduciary for your clients, giving them advice that’s in their best interest.

To earn your CFP® certification, you’ll need to complete an accredited education program, pass the exam, and earn enough experience hours to meet CFP Board requirements. Online education and experience programs are often more flexible than in-person options, which can be helpful if you’re a student, career changer, or someone with a busy schedule.

Once you’ve earned your CFP® certification, you can pursue additional credentials. Choose certifications that align with your career goals. For example, if you want to specialize in investments, consider becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®). If you want to offer financial coaching to your clients, the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) certification could be a good choice.

You don’t have to pursue every financial planning credential. Evaluate the available certifications and decide which ones align with your career goals and ideal client.

Financial Planning Career Tip #2: Gain Real-World Experience via The Externship

Financial planning education is important, but some aspects of the job are difficult to learn through textbooks and tests. You also need to develop the hands-on skills you’ll need to work with clients.

Fortunately, there are several ways to gain real-world financial planning experience, even if you don’t have the option to participate in a traditional internship. The Externship, our signature summer virtual training program, gives you the chance to earn practical experience through lectures, hands-on exercises, client meeting videos, and more.

And unlike a traditional internship, The Externship is fully virtual! You can participate from anywhere you have an internet connection. With this program, you can gain real-world experience and develop the problem-solving techniques you need to serve your clients well.

Financial Planning Career Tip #3: Invest in Professional Development With Amplified Planning CORE

While The Externship is an annual program, you don’t have to wait until summer to find professional development opportunities. With an Amplified Planning CORE or CORE+ subscription, you can hone essential skills (and earn CFP Board Standard Pathway experience or continuing education credits) all year long.

Our innovative professional development program is designed for financial planning professionals at every career stage. Whether you’re just starting to think about a career in financial planning or you’re a seasoned professional wanting to sharpen your skills, you’ll find essential resources and support as an Amplifier.

CORE is all about continuous learning. You’ll have access to online courses (featuring videos of real client meetings), community forums, small group coaching, and live learning events. You’ll have the opportunity to apply the technical knowledge you’re learning in your financial planning courses to real-world situations and hone vital soft skills like communication and empathy.

As a CORE subscriber, you can practice building financial plans and preparing for client meetings in a safe, low-stress environment. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and discuss key topics with peers and experts. And if you join CORE+, you’ll also get detailed feedback on your client meeting notes! This supportive environment is the key to building confidence, so you can feel calm and prepared when you work with your own clients.

H2: Financial Planning Career Tip #4: Network with Peers and Industry Professionals

The idea of networking with other financial professionals — especially those with more experience than you — can feel intimidating. But having that connection is so important!

A professional network gives you access to inspiration, motivation, and valuable insights from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. You can learn so much from other planners, whether they have more or less professional experience than you.

Plus, those professional connections can lead to job or mentorship opportunities in the future. When you step out of your shell and engage with other financial planners, you can practice your communication skills and gain more tools to serve your clients.

There are many ways to grow your professional network. Join our community of Amplifiers, and participate in The Externship. You can also check out opportunities in your area, such as your local FPA chapter, and interact with your peers at professional conferences.

Financial Planning Career Tip #5: Seek Out Mentorship and Support

Do you have a professional mentor? A financial planning mentor can provide personalized guidance and feedback to help you expand your skills quickly. Additionally, mentorships can often lead to job opportunities in the future.

Some firms offer mentorship programs with senior planners. If your firm doesn’t (or you aren’t part of a firm yet), there are plenty of other ways to find a mentor. Professional associations and LinkedIn are good places to start. You can also reach out to other Amplifiers and Externs.

It’s also worthwhile to remain in communities like Amplified Planning as your career grows. There’s always more to learn! As you advance your own career, you could have the opportunity to offer guidance and mentorship to the next generation of planners.

Make 2025 the Year You Build Your Financial Planning Career

If you want to spend 2025 actively building your financial planning career, now’s the time to make a plan. Mentorships, professional communities, educational programs, and The Externship are all fantastic opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. Setting specific goals now gives you the chance to research all the available options and choose the professional development opportunities that best align with your goals.

If you want to start the year with access to training, networking, and coaching, join Amplified Planning CORE. As an Amplifier, you’ll get access to courses featuring real-world clients, plus our online forum and live learning events every month. Build your network, grow your skills, and earn CFP Board experience or continuing education hours — all on your own time from the comfort of home. Learn more and join today!