How To Write A Finance Resume

Tips For Writing An Entry-level Finance Resume

A resume describes your personality, where you have been, and your goals. When composed thoughtfully and with attention to detail, it presents you in the best possible light to potential employers. The skills and qualities you include in your resume should demonstrate that you are an appropriate candidate for a position and help you secure an interview.

The following is how to construct an effective finance resume:

Format

Page Size

Use only U.S. letter size (8.5x11).

Length

Keep your resume to one page unless you are applying to a senior level position, or you have 5+ years of full-time experience in the field to which you are applying. When you apply to a specific job, you may have to modify your resume to meet the employer’s requirements.

Margins

Margins should be between .5” – 1” around the entire document. Be sure to maintain enough white space so that the resume does not look crowded, while including sufficient detail about your skills and achievements.

Line Spacing

Spacing between lines should be consistent throughout the document and look balanced.

Font

Use a simple font such as Times New Roman, and keep it consistent throughout the resume. Text should be between 10 and 12-point type, with the exception of your name, which might be slightly larger, and your contact information, which might be slightly smaller than the rest of the document. Keep things simple; do not overdo bold or italic type and avoid using excessive indentations (bullets within bullets). All text should be left justified.

Page Header

This is where your name and contact information go and it is important that it is clear and easy to read. A common format for the header is as follows: Name centered at the top of the page; on the line below, also centered, put a local mailing address, followed by email and phone, each separated by a simple bullet or symbol. The whole header should be in bold, followed by a single line that extends between the two side margins.

Section Headers

Left justify and bold each section heading. Use capital letters and do not underline. The three most common section headings are education, experience, and additional information, in that order. If you are applying for a specific job, you may have to tailor your section headers.

Employer/School Names

Use consistent formatting within each section. For employers, put the name of the employer in bold, followed by your title in bold and italicized on the next line.

Locations

List locations to the right of employer/school names.

Dates

List dates to the left of employer/school names. Use a consistent format within each section. For education, dates should be the degree or certificate month and year of completion (ex. May 2011). For experience, dates should be the time you spent in the position listed, generally only month and year (ex. May 2005 – June 2008).

Bullets

Use basic round bullet points. Left align. Use consistent spacing. Limit bullets to no more than five per category/position. Be consistent throughout the document.

Punctuation

Be consistent throughout the document. Bullet points do not need periods at the end unless they include multiple sentences.

Content

Education

• List your education experience in a reverse chronological order. Where you received a degree, include the month and year of completion.
• List your concentration.
• List your relevant coursework. Not every employer is familiar with SIPA curriculum. It can help to include one or two lines of relevant coursework. Include advanced level classes or courses that equip you with key skills that are not evident in the rest of your resume.
• Unless you are applying for a competitive program, it is not always necessary to include your GPA. We recommend including a GPA of 3.7 or above.

Experience

• A resume should not sound like a job description. Avoid phrases such as "responsible for,” or "duties included.”
• Use action verbs and target appropriate key words so that hiring managers do not have to guess about your experience and qualifications.
• Provide brief descriptions of previous employers that are lesser known. This usually consists of a one-sentence description in italics underneath the company’s name.
• Use bullet points to make your resume easier to read. Prioritize your experience by listing most relevant accomplishments or skills first.
• Show quantifiable results of your work. Do not generalize; be specific.
• Only include relevant experience.
• Emphasize what distinguishes your degree from an MBA.
• Use the position description as your guide. Make sure your resume speaks to that position. You may have to create different resumes for different positions.
• Avoid repeating yourself.
• Be careful about making grand claims such as meeting "record levels” at previous positions. Make sure you can support all claims with concrete evidence.

Additional Information

• Include professional associations or licenses, language fluency, computer skills, volunteer activities, personal interests, and travel.
• Only include information relevant to your target audience.
• The interests section can be a good conversation starter. Be specific; do not simply list "hiking,” but give the name of the trail that you last hiked.
• For languages, include level of proficiency, such as native, fluent, semi-fluent, conversant, advanced proficiency.
• For skills, list those that would be of interest to the employer, and include your proficiency level.

Language

Avoid using vague or generic language - Describe specifically what your role was and what you accomplished in your previous positions. Avoid using words such as undertook, assisted, or initiated. Never use helped. Support verbs such as researched, analyzed, or liaised with specific and concrete examples.

Use industry specific keywords - Some employers will expect certain phrases to appear in a candidate’s resume; however, you should make sure not to go overboard.

Use appropriate language for the type of position you are seeking - When you use technical jargon, make sure that the person reading your resume knows what you are talking about. If not, rephrase your experience in words that the employer will understand.

Sell Yourself

A resume is a personal sales and marketing tool designed to attract and impress employers. When marketing yourself, sell the strengths and benefits you bring to the table. Do not simply list your responsibilities, but give examples of your achievements. Your resume’s job is to get you an interview.

Proofread

Go over your resume repeatedly for typographical and grammatical errors. Then ask three to five others to review it, paying attention to your terminology and tone. An imperfect document is not acceptable. If you are not a native English speaker, have it reviewed by someone who is.