The start of your career as a financial professional is thrilling when you graduate with a degree in accounting or finance. You will require a professionally written finance graduate CV to assist you in locating your first professional career. You can differentiate yourself from the competition by structuring your resume with an emphasis on content, format, length, and style. In this post, we’ll look at nine steps for structuring a strong finance graduate CV and provide an example.
How to write a strong finance graduate CV
Your finance graduate CV must have the appropriate kinds and amounts of content. A succinct yet comprehensive finance graduate CV will help you create an impression on a hiring manager and improve your chances of being invited to an interview for the job you’re after. To write a strong finance graduate CV, use these guidelines:
1. Include your profile’s most important information in the header
A title is necessary for your resume. Your name and your present position may appear in the title. When a recruiter scans your CV, having this information in the headline can help them decide whether to continue reading your CV or consider you for a certain job. You might state in your title that you are a new graduate who has never held a job.
2. Commence with a personal assertion.
You can avoid using a boilerplate opening by beginning your finance graduate CV with a personal statement or summary. Make sure your statement is customized for the job you are applying for. Include pertinent statements demonstrating your suitability for the position to the recruiter. Your statement should provide answers to issues like who you are, what you can bring to the organization, and your long-term professional objectives.
3. Describe your academic background in detail.
Your resume should emphasize your academic accomplishments as a new graduate in finance. This part should be written chronologically, beginning with the most current credentials and certifications. In this section of your finance graduate CV, you must provide information on the accounting or finance degree you have earned. Include your A-Level results as well as any additional qualifications or degrees you have earned, provided they apply to the work.
4. Describe your professional history
You may have little past employment experience to list on your resume as you just graduated from finance school. You can put in your finance graduate CV any relevant work experience you have obtained through voluntary work or part-time employment. If you’re still in the early stages of your graduate career, keep your job history brief. You can list the organization name, your job title, and the period you worked there in this section. Include a quick paragraph with a summary of what your employment entailed after this. After that, you can use a list with bullets to list your main obligations.
5. List your accomplishments
In the portion of your CV devoted to your career history, under the appropriate position, list any noteworthy accomplishments or achievements you may have attained in past positions. If at all possible, including unbiased indicators of your achievement is a great idea. Include this information in your resume if, for instance, you frequently received the staff-of-the-month award while being a waiter because it demonstrates your superior customer service skills.
6. Point out related skills
You might have acquired useful abilities for the job through volunteer work, an internship, or part-time employment. If these abilities are relevant to the job’s needs, you should mention them in your finance graduate CV since they might help you stand apart from other applicants. Examples of abilities you might have gained from part-time work include relationship-building and an understanding of customer service. Most jobs in the finance industry require interaction with clients; thus, developing strong client relationships is crucial for professional success.
7. References
The names and phone numbers of references are not required to be on your resume. You can include a clause promising to provide references upon request. Most employers will request references from you when they review your employment history with the companies you put on your CV.
8. Provide your contact information
Your finance graduate CV must always include your contact information. These details are required by the recruiter to contact you regarding interview invitations or interview results. In your CV, you should always include at least a mobile number and email address.
9. Limit your CV to two pages.
Rarely do recent graduates have a lot of employment history. A fresh graduate should be able to get by with a two-page CV. It is critical to ensure your CV structure includes all of the necessary components without becoming bogged down in unnecessary details.
Example of a Finance Graduate CV
A sample of a finance graduate CV is provided below, which you can use as inspiration while writing your CV:
John Hopper
Financial Analyst Graduate
Personal Summary
A motivated accounting graduate who can assist investment managers with strong analytical support. Motivated and eager to contribute to the investing team of an organization to benefit clients. a strong performer who has shown drive, initiative, and passion. Ability to prioritize activities and perform well under pressure so that I can always fulfill deadlines effectively in terms of the return analysis of investments. Knowledge of creating monthly financial reports and budgets. Seeking employment with a business that offers long-term career potential. Preparing to join CIMA after earning the necessary qualifications.
Academic History
Oxford University, 2017 to 2019.
First Class BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Investment Management
Southampton Metropolitan College 2016-2018
A-Levels:
- Math: A
- English: B
- History: A
Various Specialties
- Statistic evaluation
- Financial analysis
- Data evaluation
- Data Confirmation
- Manipulating data
- Portfolio administration
- Commercial savvy
- Internal measures
- Business evaluation
Work History
Cullen Securities, Salford
Student financial analyst: February 2020-present
Supplying investments and financial analysis as a source of information for portfolio investment choices made on clients’ behalf. Helping to create daily analysis techniques that will enhance the managerial information’s quality. I was given a performance incentive for speeding up and improving the quality of the investment appraisal reports I sent to top management.
Responsibilities:
- Assistance with the weekly and monthly investment appraisal for the asset managers
- Giving investment managers investment advice
- Composing and presenting monthly reports and investment research reports to top leadership
- Assisting with the creation of both short- and long-term investment plans
Salford Ecological NGO
Jul. 2018 – Oct 2019: volunteer fundraising
Weekend and nighttime hours were devoted to fundraising on the charity’s behalf, without payment, for the protection of the environment. Mostly engaged in cold-calling charity trusts and researching to raise money.
Responsibilities:
- Helping with creative fundraising initiatives
- Create bids and proposals to raise money.
- I did some research and discovered how awards are funded.
- Participating in public awareness initiatives to increase the charity’s visibility.
- Phoning potential contributors and charitable foundations over the phone
- Helped keep the administration system running
- Organized neighborhood events
Salford Regional Supermarket
Cashier, part-time: April 2019 – January 2020
6 times honored as staff of the month.
Essential financial skills
- Understanding of IT systems and financial software like Hyperion
- Solid mathematical and analytical abilities
- Advanced Excel proficiency
- Financial accounting expertise
- Excellent IT abilities, including the use of common presentation and word-processing programs
- Resource planning and budgeting
- Consolidated management account compilation and reconciliation
- Finance and commercial data manipulation, analysis, and interpretation
- Involvement in the creation of mandatory reports across the entire firm
Personal abilities
- Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities
- Excellent talents in client service
- Exceptional communication abilities
- Able to collaborate closely with coworkers and customers
- Adaptable and flexible, with the capacity to operate both independently and as part of a team
- Capable of meeting deadlines while facing challenges
- Capable of handling confidential information safely
- Capable of interacting with all levels of personnel, including senior management.
- Outstanding attention to detail
- A thoughtful, analytical, practical, and thorough attitude to addressing issues and consumers’ concerns
References
Available on request.
Contact information
Address: 8 Hogwarts Road, Salford, S2 3BB
Telephone: +44 167801-2345.
Phone number: 07903 356219
Email: johnhopper@email.com
Skills for Finance Graduate CV
When creating a CV for a finance graduate, it’s important to highlight the skills and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for finance-related roles. Here are key skills to include on your finance graduate CV:
- Financial Analysis: Showcase your ability to analyze financial data, assess trends, and make informed recommendations for investment decisions or financial planning.
- Quantitative Skills: Emphasize your proficiency in using mathematical and statistical tools to analyze financial data, calculate ratios, and perform quantitative analysis.
- Financial Modeling: Highlight your experience in building financial models to evaluate business scenarios, forecast financial outcomes, and support strategic decision-making.
- Accounting Knowledge: Mention your understanding of accounting principles, financial statements, and auditing standards, as these are fundamental to finance roles.
- Risk Management: Discuss your knowledge of risk assessment, risk mitigation strategies, and the ability to analyze and manage financial risks effectively.
- Financial Software: Include proficiency in financial software and tools such as Excel, financial modeling software, and accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks).
- Data Analysis: Showcase your data analysis skills, including data visualization, to present financial information effectively to stakeholders.
- Financial Reporting: Highlight your ability to prepare and present clear and concise financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
- Investment Analysis: Mention any experience in analyzing investment opportunities, evaluating portfolios, or conducting asset valuation.
- Financial Planning: If relevant, discuss your ability to create financial plans, manage budgets, and provide financial advice to clients or organizations.
- Communication Skills: Emphasize your strong communication skills, both written and verbal, as finance professionals often need to convey complex financial information to non-experts.
- Attention to Detail: Highlight your keen attention to detail, which is crucial for accuracy in financial analysis and reporting.
- Problem-Solving: Describe your problem-solving abilities, especially in addressing financial challenges or optimizing financial strategies.
- Teamwork: Mention your experience working in cross-functional teams or collaborating with colleagues on financial projects.
- Ethical Awareness: Emphasize your commitment to ethical behavior and adherence to financial regulations and industry standards.
- Adaptability: Showcase your ability to adapt to changing financial markets, regulations, and business environments.
- Time Management: Highlight your time management skills to demonstrate your ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple financial tasks efficiently.
- Customer Service: If relevant, discuss your customer service skills, especially if you’ve worked in client-facing finance roles.
- Foreign Language Skills: If you are proficient in languages commonly used in global finance, such as Mandarin, Spanish, or Arabic, mention these skills as they can be valuable in international finance roles.
- Certifications: If you hold any relevant certifications, such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), make sure to include them in your CV.
Tailor your CV to the specific finance roles you are applying for, and use quantifiable achievements and examples to demonstrate how you’ve applied these skills in real-world situations. Additionally, consider including relevant coursework, internships, and extracurricular activities that showcase your finance-related experiences and skills.
Conclusion
As a finance graduate, finding the job you want often depends on having a strong résumé. A strong finance graduate CV will demonstrate to hiring managers that you possess the necessary abilities and credentials for the position.
In conclusion, crafting a compelling Finance Graduate CV requires a strategic approach that highlights your unique qualifications and skills. Tailor your Finance Graduate CV to the specific job you’re applying for, showcasing your financial knowledge, quantitative abilities, and relevant experiences. Use quantifiable achievements and concrete examples to demonstrate your proficiency in financial analysis, modeling, and other critical skills. Pay attention to formatting, clarity, and professionalism in your Finance Graduate CV. Lastly, proofread and review your Finance Graduate CV carefully to ensure accuracy and coherence. A well-crafted Finance Graduate CV can open doors to exciting career opportunities in the finance industry, setting you on the path to a successful and rewarding financial career.
Frequently Asked Questions about Finance Graduate CV
- What are the two most common formats for a CV?
A chronological (or traditional) CV and a skills-based (or functional) CV are the two basic forms of resumes.
- What is the ideal length for a finance graduate CV?
Two pages long. Like other industries, it’s advisable to keep your finance CV to no more than two pages. You should only contain current and pertinent information.
- What constitutes financial management’s five A’s?
Prediction, Acquisition, Allocation, Appropriation, and Assessment of Funds are all included in the scope of financial management.
- Should I include my GPA on my Finance Graduate CV?
Including your GPA on your CV can be beneficial if it is strong and showcases your academic excellence. However, it’s not mandatory, and some employers may not prioritize GPA in their hiring decisions, especially if you have relevant work experience or certifications. If you choose to include your GPA, make sure it is prominently placed, typically in the education section, and ensure that it accurately reflects your academic achievements.
- Is it necessary to include a cover letter with my Finance Graduate CV?
While including a cover letter is not always mandatory, it is highly recommended, especially for competitive finance positions. A well-crafted cover letter allows you to provide additional context about your qualifications, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company, and demonstrate your written communication skills. It can also help you stand out from other applicants and make a strong first impression. Therefore, unless the job posting explicitly states that a cover letter is not required, it’s advisable to include one to enhance your job application.