Knowing how to present your resume to an investment banker is crucial in securing a job in the industry. Walking them through your resume can help highlight your qualifications and experience, as well as demonstrate your communication skills. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive strategy for walking an investment banker through your resume that will help you stand out from other candidates.
Start with a Summary
Begin by providing a compelling summary statement that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. This statement should be concise, to-the-point, and tailored to the job you are applying for. A good summary statement can catch the investment banker’s attention and entice them to delve deeper into your resume.
Highlight Your Education Section
The education section is particularly crucial for those with little work experience. Be strategic in highlighting your educational qualifications, specifically your degree, the institution from which it was obtained, and your major. If you achieved a strong GPA, be sure to mention it. However, if your GPA is not impressive, it might be better to leave it out. Include coursework that is relevant to finance or the job you are applying for. If some of your coursework is not finance-related, highlight how it strengthens your skill set generally.
Present Your Professional Experience
This section should detail the organizations you have worked for, your positions, and your responsibilities. Be sure to articulate your accomplishments and quantify them if possible. Highlight specific skills that make you a standout candidate, such as experience with financial modeling. Use strong action verbs when describing your responsibilities and accomplishments, such as “designed,” “created,” or “streamlined.” This section should be well-organized and easy to follow.
Showcase Your Relevant Skills
An investment banker is looking for specific skills when hiring for a position. Ensure you highlight skills that set you apart from other candidates in the industry. If, for instance, the job description highlights the importance of experience with a specific software program, make sure to mention your proficiency in the relevant section. Highlight both hard skills, such as software proficiency, as well as soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, or leadership.
Provide Additional Relevant Information
Including extracurricular activities, certifications, or awards that are relevant to the job you are applying for can strengthen your candidacy. Extracurricular activities can show a well-rounded candidate or give the investment banker a sense of your passions and interests. Certifications and awards can demonstrate your knowledge of and dedication to the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Begin your resume with a compelling summary statement that identifies your key credentials and career goals.
- The education section should clearly showcase your qualifications and relevant coursework.
- Articulate your professional experiences with strong action verbs and provide quantifiable explanations of your achievements.
- Highlight the skills that make you a standout candidate in the industry.
- Including extracurricular activities, certifications or awards that are relevant to the job can enhance your candidacy.
FAQ
Should I include all of my work experience?It is best to only include work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. If you have previous experience in another industry, make sure to only include the responsibilities that utilized transferable skills.
What if I don’t have relevant work experience?If you don’t have work experience, highlight your educational qualifications or relevant volunteer work or extracurricular activities.
Is it necessary to mention my GPA?It is not necessary to mention your GPA. However, if you have an impressive GPA, it can work in your favor.
Can I include non-finance related coursework?It is fine to highlight non-finance related coursework if it highlights necessary transferable skills.