Investment banking is a highly competitive industry, with numerous ambitious professionals vying for a limited number of opportunities. Your resume, which is often the first point of contact with potential employers, can be a critical determinant of whether you secure an interview or not. It needs to be a standout document that catches the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make your resume stand out for a role in investment banking.
1. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
It’s important to remember that less can often mean more when it comes to resume writing. Instead of focusing on filling every inch of space, concentrate on presenting the most relevant and impactful information. A well-curated one-page resume can be much more effective than a long-winded one full of irrelevant details.
2. Customize Your Resume
Each investment banking role you apply for will have its unique requirements. Make sure to tailor your resume to these specific needs. Customize your skills, experiences, and objectives to align with the job description. This will show recruiters that you have taken the time to understand the role and are a good fit for the company.
3. Start Strong
Your resume should start with a strong and concise objective or summary statement. This section needs to give a brief overview of your skills, experiences, and career goals, showing how they align with the requirements of the investment banking role. Aim to keep it between 2 to 3 sentences.
4. Highlight Relevant Experience
If you have previous experience in the field of investment banking, this should be the centerpiece of your resume. Include specific duties you performed, deals you worked on, and achievements during your tenure. If you’re an entry-level candidate, focus on transferable skills from other industries, academic projects, or internships that are relevant to investment banking.
5. Quantify Achievements
In a numbers-driven industry like investment banking, quantitative evidence of your accomplishments can be incredibly persuasive. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with concrete numbers, such as “Increased revenue by 20%” or “Managed a portfolio worth $2M.”
6. Showcase Technical and Soft Skills
Investment banking requires a combination of hard, technical skills and soft, interpersonal skills. On your resume, make sure to showcase both. Examples of relevant technical skills include financial modeling, Excel proficiency, or knowledge of financial regulation. Soft skills may include teamwork, leadership, communication skills, etc.
7. Pay Attention to Formatting and Proofreading
A resume with typos, grammar mistakes, or poor formatting can be instantly off-putting. Use a professional, clean layout, consistent formatting, and bullet points for easier reading. Always proofread your resume multiple times, or have someone else look at it, to catch any potential errors.
8. Use Action Verbs
Start each bullet point in your experience section with strong action verbs. Words like “spearheaded,” “led,” “developed,” or “implemented” can demonstrate your active role in achieving results.
9. Include Relevant Certifications
If you’ve gained certifications relevant to investment banking like CFA or Series 7, don’t forget to mention them in your resume. It signifies your commitment to the field and can give you an edge over other candidates.
Your resume is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. By focusing on these key points, you can create a document that effectively highlights your qualifications and suitability for an investment banking role, making you stand out in a competitive candidate pool. Remember, a resume is not just a summary of your past—it’s a marketing tool that presents you as the ideal candidate for the future.
Source: https://w3.stern.nyu.edu/careerresourcehub/static/resources/CCWP_Resume_Writing_Guide_2014.pdf
How Can Prospect Rock Partners Help?
We understand the financial recruiting landscape and have extensive experience working with hiring managers at Bulge bracket banks, Elite Boutiques and Private Equity firms. We can help you pinpoint what went wrong and help you course correct so that it doesn’t happen again.
Prospect Rock Partners Services
- Clean-up, reformat and retarget your resume so that you can secure more interviews
- Linkedin profile analysis
- Sample mock interview questions
- Sample technical interview questions
- How to Break into Banking Networking Tips and Tricks
- Target Company recommendations
- Target Company Prep Exercises
- Mock-interviews
- Develop a customized networking strategy
- General guidance and support
We know the banks and know what they are looking for. With our guidance and support we will help you navigate this ultra-competitive job market and land your dream role.