Transitioning from paraplanning into a trainee adviser role is a natural career progression for many in the financial planning profession. As a paraplanner, you already have a strong technical foundation—but when applying for adviser roles, your CV needs to reflect more than just technical skills. It should demonstrate your ability to build relationships, give advice, and ultimately manage clients.
Here are 7 essential tips to get your CV ready to secure that trainee adviser opportunity:
1. Shift the Focus from Reports to Relationships
Paraplanners are known for their technical skills, but advisers need strong people skills. On your CV, highlight any exposure you’ve had to client meetings, how you've helped prepare for them, and any direct interactions you've had with clients. Emphasise where you've contributed to delivering a great client experience, not just the paperwork behind the scenes.
2. Showcase Your Commercial Awareness
Advisers need to understand how to grow and retain business. Mention times you've supported advisers with business development, identified new opportunities within client reviews, or contributed to maximising client portfolios. Showing that you understand the commercial side of financial planning is a big plus.
3. Highlight Your Knowledge of Products and Client Types
You’ve likely researched and recommended a range of financial products in your paraplanning role. Make sure to include specific examples on your CV, such as:
- Pension transfers and drawdown strategies
- Investment recommendations (ISAs, GIAs, Bonds, VCTs)
- Protection solutions (Relevant Life Plans, Income Protection)
Also, mention the types of clients you’ve worked with—whether HNW, UHNW, business owners, or accumulators—and average AUM you've been involved in supporting.
4. Demonstrate Soft Skills
Being a successful adviser is about more than just knowledge. Use your CV to show skills such as:
- Communication (e.g. explaining complex strategies in plain English)
- Empathy (supporting vulnerable clients)
- Collaboration (working closely with advisers and admin teams to deliver seamless service)
If you've ever presented in client meetings or explained recommendations directly, that's gold—include it.
5. Mention Any Client-Facing Experience
Even if you weren't the lead in meetings, any direct contact counts. Did you follow up with clients post-meeting? Handle inbound queries? Assist with onboarding? These show you're comfortable being client-facing, which is crucial for a trainee adviser.
6. Emphasise Your Qualifications and Career Ambitions
Make sure your CV clearly shows your current qualifications (such as the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning) and any work towards Chartered or Certified status.
Then, add a short career objective at the top of your CV:
"A highly experienced paraplanner seeking to transition into a trainee adviser role, with the ambition of building long-term client relationships while delivering exceptional financial planning solutions."
7. Quantify Your Achievements
As always, numbers tell a story. How many advisers have you supported? How many reports have you produced? What’s the average AUM of clients you've worked on? Adding figures helps employers see the scale of work you're already comfortable handling.
Final Thoughts
Moving from paraplanning into advising is about repositioning your skills. You already have the technical foundation—now your CV needs to show that you're ready to build relationships, offer advice, and help clients achieve their goals.
By applying these tips, you’ll show future employers that you're not just ready to become a trainee adviser—you’re ready to thrive as one.