Islamic finance has a phenomenal identity. What is today a $2.2 trillion industry had started off in 1970s as a humble effort to meet the banking needs of faith-conscious Muslims, primarily based on avoidance of interest and other non-halal transactions.

Like conventional banks, Islamic banks seek to hire individuals who have professional qualifications and are specialist in their areas, whether in areas of investment management, IT governance, risk management or Sharia, among others.

As an Islamic Banker, you are bound by the rules of Islamic law. Which in turn means that almost everything is approached, handled and managed differently than a Western banker.

• Even though there are 1,407 Islamic financial institutions globally, the industry is notorious for not providing many job opportunities to new graduates.
• The primary reason is that despite all the buzz it receives the sector is still really small compared to conventional finance and faces a massive challenge to scale up, given that less than 1% of the global financial assets worldwide are actually Sharia-compliant.

• Fortunately, the industry’s eco-system has a rich tapestry of players like Sharia-auditing firms, Fintech bodies, Islamic finance training providers, wealth advisory firms, law firms, among others, and they could be an excellent venue to kick start your career on the Islamic side.

• A Bachelors/masters degree in Banking, Finance or Islamic Finance & Banking 
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Professional Risk Managers (PRM) or any other reputable qualification 
• Pursuing an MBA also adds significant value to your competitive advantage and becomes more important as you reach 7-10 years of experience
• Most employers look for two things:
• Firstly, how reputable your university is and if you hold a qualification like CFA and CTP.
• Secondly, they also value your work experience in large corporates, commercial banks and development institutions, even if it be just an internship
• The Islamic finance industry is in desperate need of individuals who are confident communicators and are able to demonstrate leadership qualities
• Reading articles about the industry on websites like Zawya, Salaam Gateway and CPI Financial, in addition to international media outlets like Bloomberg, the Economist and Harvard Business Review will help you Ace your interview
• Aspirants should definitely consider applying to ICD’s MIRAS program, a strategic Islamic Finance industry Talent Development Program associated with Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia. The initiative aims to attract promising individuals from all around the world and train them to support the growth of the Islamic Finance industry.