Why intellectual curiosity is a key skill for success in finance
By Chris Wiese, CFA
Demonstrating intellectual curiosity is a powerful way to stand out in early-career interviews. Chris Wiese, CFA, Managing Director, Education at CFA Institute, explains what it really means to be intellectually curious, and whether it’s a skill you can develop.
Imagine you’re a child again, sitting in math class, grappling with a new algebra topic.
No one expects you to understand it right away. You’re encouraged to ask questions and to get things wrong. To go away and dig deeper, and build understanding over time.
You don’t have an ego holding you back. You have time. You’re curious.
As children, curiosity comes naturally. If we don’t know something, we want to learn it. And there is a lot to learn.
But as adults, that willingness to learn often gets suppressed. We get more self-conscious. Time gets limited and other priorities take over. And little by little, we start to believe that being seen as an expert is the safest way to stand out.
So, we focus on looking like we have all the answers, because that feels like the safest way to get ahead.
Why that mindset doesn’t work in finance
Putting a lid on your learning is risky. This industry doesn’t stand still. Markets shift, clients’ needs change, and assumptions that once worked don’t.
The people who do well are the ones who keep learning and who are comfortable saying, I don’t have all the answers (yet).
In other words: they’re intellectually curious.
This came up again and again in the conversations we hosted during the recent CFA® Program Careers Webinar Series. Across discussions with leading finance and investment professionals, one message was clear: intellectual curiosity helps candidates stand out in early-career interviews.
What is intellectual curiosity?
Put simply, intellectual curiosity describes a person’s willingness and desire to learn, understand, and explore new ideas beyond surface-level facts.
Intellectually curious people don’t just ask what is happening. They ask why.
Here's an example. During a recent discussion, I realized our teams were talking past each other about “quality.” Curriculum meant rigor, product meant engagement, and finance meant margin sustainability. Getting curious – listening to data, feedback, and perspectives across the organization – helped me see that quality isn’t a single standard, but a system, and that insight shifted us from debating opinions to designing for outcomes.
Why does intellectual curiosity matter in finance?
In finance, intellectual curiosity often separates good professionals from great ones.
Better judgment and decision-making
People who are curious are less likely to accept default answers. They look for context, test assumptions and ask why before making a call. That leads to fewer snap judgments, more balanced evaluations and better decisions under pressure.
Stronger risk awareness
Intellectual curiosity makes people better at spotting risks because it pushes them to question what others take for granted. They are more likely to ask questions, less likely to take things at face value and more inclined to notice when something doesn't quite add up. They’re also less attached to being right, so are more likely to gather more insights and adapt if new information comes up.
More creative problem-solving
Intellectually curious people tend to explore different approaches, look for ideas across disciplines, and find solutions that are different from the norm. This creativity is important because in finance no two clients are the same.
Faster learning
With finance evolving at a fast pace – thanks to artificial intelligence and technology – people stuck in their old ways won’t adapt as fast. Curious professionals who look for new ways to do things and seek out new ideas and skills are the ones who’ll stand out.
Are you born with curiosity or can you build it?
It’s true, some people are naturally more curious than others. But intellectual curiosity isn’t a fixed trait. It’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be developed.
Here are a few ways to strengthen it:
- Ask questions: don’t be afraid to ask for clarification from colleagues, managers, and peers. Questions are the cornerstone of learning and gaining knowledge.
- Go deep on what interests you: there’s no better way of sparking curiosity than by digging into an area you genuinely care about.
- Challenge traditional ways of thinking: it forces you to ask why, not just follow the precedent. Over time, the habit of questioning becomes second nature.
- Admit when you don’t know: don’t pretend to know all the answers. Get comfortable not knowing something.
How to demonstrate curiosity in a job interview
Intellectual curiosity can set you apart, but only if you show it.
Hiring managers are paying a lot more attention to human or soft skills during the recruitment process – partly because they’re hard to teach. And intellectual curiosity, in particular, has a very real impact on the business because it leads to better thinking and better decisions.
Here are a few ways to demonstrate intellectual curiosity in an interview:
- Do your research on the company and ask informed questions.
- Show interest in the wider business and industry, not just the role you’re applying for.
- Share examples where you challenged assumptions or explored alternative approaches.
- Talk about times you learned something new because you didn’t have the answer.
- Explain how you sought ideas from other functions to get a better result.
Prove it through the CFA Program
Of course, completing the CFA Program is an excellent way to signal intellectual curiosity to potential employers. It doesn’t just show that you’re technically capable, it shows you’re committed to learning and willing to invest in yourself.
The curriculum is broad and demanding. To get through it, you have to be genuinely curious. And along the way, that depth of study actually strengthens your curiosity even more.
Crucially, that mindset doesn’t disappear once you pass your exams and earn the charter. It stays with you as you move into new roles, teams, and even new industries.
To learn how investment professionals use intellectual curiosity in their careers, see these stories:
Thinking of a career as a credit rating analyst? Here’s my story
Thinking of a career as an investment strategist? Here’s my story
To learn more about the importance of human skills in finance, see these stories:
Human skills you need for a career in finance
In the age of AI, it’s human skills that employers want
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