Finance Resumes Resumes

What Should Be On A Finance Resume?

There is always a high demand for professionals in the field of finance. Companies are looking for brilliant money managers who can guide them through profitable and difficult times. 

Businesses always have openings for wizards who can help them streamline costs without compromising the quality of product and service. Banks routinely hire smart and savvy lending officers who can evaluate applications and offer the right loan programs to potential borrowers. 

Real estate agencies want leasing consultants who can find the best paying tenants for their commercial projects and negotiate arrangements that work in the interest of both parties.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), financial analysts make an average of $85,550 per year. Likewise, accountants and auditors are paid well with a mean annual salary of $70,500. Tax Preparers are paid $47,090 per year which is still higher than the average pay in most industries. 

You can be sure the job market in the finance industry will be competitive. To gain an advantage over the other applicants, you must know what to put in your Finance resume.

 

1. Showcase Your License and Certifications

 

When it comes to handling money, it’s all about trust. Companies will prioritize candidates who can show proof of competency. If you’re an accountant, having passed the board exam and becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will be a big boost to your resume.

If you are a licensed professional, showcase this detail in the following sections: Contact Information, Resume Objective, and Licenses/Certification. 

The Contact Information is important because it is located in the top third section of your resume. More than likely, it will be the first section the recruiter will come across. 

Here is an example of how you can display your license as a CPA in the Contact Information section:

Contact Information

Name: Christopher L. Augustin, CPA
Address: 2346 Brendan Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Phone: (415) 473 7865
Email: [email protected]

 

2. Highlight Your Technical Skills

 

Which type of skill is more important – hard or soft skills? Both are important but hard or technical skills are quantifiable because these are acquired through learning and experience.

Every job ad will indicate the required hard/technical skills for the position. A recruiter does not spend a lot of time reviewing applications.  

If you have these technical skills, highlight them on your resume. For sure, the recruiter will be looking for them right away.

 

3. Voice Your Intent in the Resume Objective

 

Don’t underestimate the value of the resume objective just because it is a small section on your resume. On the contrary, a well-written objective statement can carry plenty of power and influence.

The Hiring Manager will always take the time to read your objective statement because this is the section which provides answers to the following questions:

• “Why should we hire you?”
• “Why did you apply for the position?”
• “How can you help the company achieve its goals?”
• “Do you fit our organizational culture?”

The best way to think of the resume objective is that it functions as your sales pitch. Tell the recruiter your strongest selling points and how these can contribute to the success of the company.

 

4. Validate Your Accomplishments with Numbers

 

Finance is all about numbers. Trust that the recruiter will also look at your numbers – data that validates your accomplishments or contributions to your current and previous employers. 

For example, if you are an Investment Consultant for a stock brokerage firm who made recommendations that delivered high-yielding returns, write it down in your Work Experience section in this manner:

“Prepare and discuss buy and sell recommendations in the stock market for the company’s industrial clients. The average return generated by clients in my portfolio is 21% per annum.”

 

5. Use the Right Verbs

 

Using the right verbs can trigger imagery that will clearly associate your skills with the demands of the job. Word or verb association will make the job of the recruiter easier and your job descriptions more effective.

Here are some examples of the best verbs you can use for your Finance resume:

• Balanced
• Calculated
• Canvassed
• Decided
• Estimated
• Projected
• Facilitated
• Revised
• Uncovered
• Scheduled
• Validated
• Reformed
• Managed
• Maintained

What Skills Should Finance Professionals Put On A Resume?

In today’s highly-competitive world, businesses are counting on finance professionals to utilize their wizardry with numbers to help the decision-makers validate their policies with empirical evidence, keep their budgets under control, and ensure the company adheres to compliances. 

Getting the finance job isn’t just about grades and providing personal recommendations. You must show that you are well-rounded; possessing the right technical skills, the ideal personality attributes, and proof you are truly invested in your career.

 

1. Hard Skills

 

We briefly touched on technical/hard skills in the previous section. It is worth mentioning that it is important to prove to the Hiring Manager you have received the proper training/educational attainment to manage the duties and responsibilities of the job.

What are the hard skills required for a job in Finance?

• Knowledge in relevant software – MS Excel, QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and other accounting/spreadsheet software programs.
• Knowledge in CRM software – CompanyHub, Zoho
• Excellent in Math
• Ability to read and analyze financial statements
• Good business acumen
• Ability to read contracts and other legal documents
• Updated in industry, national, and local government regulations
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Good comprehension skills
• Ability to articulate instructions and results of an analysis
• Good writing skills
• Updated in tax laws and regulations
• Familiar with government reporting forms

 

2. Soft Skills

 

Soft skills refer to the personality attributes – the behaviors that define you as a person and as an employee. 

A job in Finance is sometimes described as “structured”, “repetitive”, “monotonous”, and “ by-the-book”. In many cases, these descriptions are appropriate because when it comes to numbers, you have to be precise and accurate. 

For example, as an accountant, you follow procedures as prescribed under GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. There are formulas, formats, and documentation where you simply “plug in the numbers”.

A job that can be mechanical may require a candidate with specific personality attributes:

• High level of focus
• Determination
• Organized
• Dedicated
• Resilient
• Good Interpersonal Skills
• Patient
• Meticulous; Detail-Oriented
• Solutions or Results-Oriented
• Creative Thinker
• Excellent Analytical Ability

 

3. The Differentiators

 

The Differentiators are the skills that are not often associated with a job in Finance but can be useful for some future applications.

• Creative Writing
• Customer Service
• Second or third language
• Knowledge in computer programming
• Knowledge in software architecture
• A higher degree of education such as an MBA or a Doctorate Degree

Just because the job involves numbers and manipulating formulas, it doesn’t mean you should have a passive resume.  By learning new skills, not only do you expand your overall value proposition, but your resume becomes more dynamic and enticing to potential employers. 

What Is The Best Resume Format For Finance Professionals?

The best resume format for a professional in the field of Finance would depend on 2 things: the level of experience and acquired/learned skills. 

Use the reverse chronological format If you have the following qualifications:

• Uninterrupted work experience of at least 1 year.
• The unemployment gap does not exceed 4 months and your work experience covers finance work.
• Fresh graduate with on-the-job training experience or an internship.

The reverse-chronological format puts the emphasis on your work experience and other sections where a chronology of dates or a time period is involved. These other sections include Education, Certifications/Licenses, Additional Skills, On-the-Job Training, and Internship. 

Recruiters are more familiar with the reverse-chronological format because it is popularly used by job seekers. In some regard, the reverse-chronological is almost like the “default format” when preparing a resume.

In the reverse-chronological, you lead-off with your current or most recent experience. From there, work your way back to your earliest and relevant experience. 

The advantage of using this format is that the recruiter can immediately assess your present level of capabilities; where are you right now skills-wise and in terms of work experience? 

The structure of the reverse-chronological format arranges the sections of the resume in the following manner:

• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Strengths
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications/Licenses

The functional and combination formats have a similar structure:

• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Strengths
• Certifications/Licenses
• Education
• Work Experience

The 2 types of resumes will differ in their content. 

The functional format focuses on your acquired skill levels and other strong qualifications. Use this format if your current status falls under the following circumstances:

• You plan to shift or transition to a completely new career/profession
• Diverse background but work experience does not show a clear career direction
• Fresh graduate without any work experience, internship or On-the-Job Training.
• Unemployment gap that exceeds 4 months

With the combination format, you can present your work experience in reverse-chronological order and at the same time use the objective statement to “explain” or share a story about your qualifications.

Use the combination format if you have the following qualifications:

• Good level of work experience; at least 1 year
• Unemployment gap of fewer than 4 months
• Impressive qualifications; obtained certifications to validate differentiator skills

You can also use the combination format if you want to shift more focus on your soft skills. 

For example, if the company you want to work for is an advocate of right-fit employees and having a strong organizational culture, the combination format can be used by emphasizing your soft skills in the objective statement.

How To Write An Entry-Level Finance Professional Resume

Is it difficult to land a job with an entry-level Finance resume? No, as long as you tailor your resume to the needs of the employer and the demands of the job. 

If you scan through job listings, you will always come across openings that specify “Entry-Level” applicants or the qualifier, “No Experience Needed”.

There are many businesses that prefer entry-level applicants or those without experience because it’s easier to mold their minds according to the preferences of the company. 

Experience is always an advantage. But sometimes experienced people because set in their ways. It is hard for them to let go of the methods and processes they have acquired in the last few years. Training or orienting experienced candidates can be a challenge. 

If you want your entry-level Finance resume to get noticed, follow these helpful tips:

 

1. Highlight Your Technical Qualifications

 

Whether you have the experience or not, in the finance profession, you must always show proof of technical qualification. Most importantly, your qualifications must be aligned with the requirement of the job.

To be sure, read the job ad carefully. Note down the specific requirements listed for the job:

• What is the minimum educational attainment or degree needed?
• Do you have to be proficient in specific software programs such as Quickbooks, Freshbook or Xero?
• Are there are technical skills mentioned that are not related to your field of expertise such as creative writing, customer service, and programming?

As long as you fit the bill, you will be considered for the job.

 

2. Include Internships, Summer Job, Volunteer, and Freelance Work

 

Work experience does not have to be paid experience. For Hiring Managers, what’s important is that the applicant was given an opportunity to put theory into practice. 

If you accepted an internship, took a summer job, volunteered your services, or worked as a freelancer where your acquired knowledge and expertise in finance were tested, consider these events as experiences and include them in your resume.

 

3. Write a Compelling Objective Statement

 

“Why should we hire you?”

Give the recruiter the best reason why the company should take a chance on an entry-level applicant. The objective statement can become a powerful section if you can give a compelling reason for why you are the best candidate for the job.

You can share a story of an experience or episode from school or work that best embodies your approach to work and validates your status as the perfect fit for the organization’s culture. 

It would be a good idea to research the company you hope to work for. Learn what you can about the company’s history, founders, achievements, products, services, innovations, and culture. 

Look for alignment between what they need and what you can bring onboard the company.

Sample Entry-Level Finance Resume

 

Contact Information

Name: Charles B. Thompson
Address: 14562 Green Street, Chicago, IL.
Phone: (773) 324 6785
Email: [email protected]

Objective Statement

Fresh graduate with a degree in Accounting seeks to become the new Junior Accountant for McGraw, Hill,  & Associates. I am preparing for the Accountancy board exam and once I get my CPA license, I hope to build my career in your esteemed company which I have followed since 2015. I am proficient in various Accounting software such as Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and I am familiar with  GPIS software programs.

Strengths

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting; Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL.
• GPA – 3.8
• Graduated Top 10% 
• Member; Junior Finance Society
• Knowledgeable in Computers – Excel, Quickbooks, and FreshBooks.
• Detail-Oriented
• Ability to work with a team
• Disciplined

Education

College
Bachelor’s Degree
Accounting
Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL
2015 to 2019

High School
Jones College Prep
Chicago, IL
2011 to 2015

In this example, the applicant has no work experience. We used the objective statement to send a powerful message to the HR group of McGraw, Hill, & Associates that Charles seeks to establish his career with the office once he secures his CPA license. 

The statement is powerful because it shows dedication, confidence, and a sense of commitment. Charles also mentions that he has been following the growth of the company since he entered college. 

As you can see, the objective statement may be short in length but it can be big in value if it is well-written.

Look at the objective statement as your sales pitch. This is the section where you market your strongest attribute to the recruiter. Tell him why the company should hire you. 

With Charles, they might see someone who has accomplished a lot in college and is willing to dedicate himself to the company.

Finance Resume for Two Years’ of Experience

With two years of experience, it will be easier to get noticed by hiring managers. Having more than a year in the industry will settle concerns on your ability to handle greater duties and responsibilities. It also firms up a sense of commitment to having a career in the field of finance.

How should you write a Finance resume that has two years of work experience?

 

1. Use the Reverse-Chronological Format

 

The reverse-chronological is the ideal format to use if you have two years of work experience. It highlights tenure and enables the recruiter to assess your current skill level. 

Keep in mind that the reverse-chronological format is effective if your work experience covers tenure in the same industry. 

If your two years of experience only shows six months in the field of Finance and one year and six months in unrelated industries, it might be better to use the combination format.

With the combination format, you can still show work experience in a reverse-chronological order but explain in the objective statement why despite the limited tenure you are still the best candidate for the job.

 

2. Show Your Potential in the Work Experience Section

 

With two years in the industry, it is expected that you have experienced a promotion of some kind. Perhaps a vertical promotion where you were awarded a higher job title or a horizontal promotion where you are assigned a wider, more encompassing scope of work. 

Show proof in the work experience section that you were promoted by your current or previous employers. 

For example, if you were promoted to Senior Leasing Officer in your most recent employment, this information should be presented first in the work experience section. 

In the job description, identify the scope of responsibilities you were assigned as a Senior Leasing Officer. The descriptions must be greatly differentiated from your previous work as a Junior Leasing Officer. 

 

3. Present More Details in Your Duties and Responsibilities

 

With greater tenure comes greater responsibilities.

As you chalk up the months in the company, you should have been given more projects in addition to the usual duties and responsibilities.

Don’t repeat the same tasks over and over again. You can differentiate your duties and responsibilities by getting into the specifics or the details. 

For example, as a Senior Leasing Officer, you can mention a big project that you were assigned and the results you delivered. You can include details on how you had to recruit then manage a larger team of agents to help you sell more units which enabled the company to hit its sales quota. 

Sample Resume for a Finance Professional with 2 Years’ of Experience

 

Contact Information

Name: Gwendolyn C. Roswell
Address: 5956 Dwight Park Avenue, Portland, OR.
Phone: (503) 345 6129
Email: [email protected]

Objective Statement

Senior Leasing Officer with 2 years of work experience is desirous of becoming the new Property Manager of Devlin Property Developers. In my current job, I was instrumental in having Trident Realty’s latest project, Twinland Homes sell out within its first year. My team was responsible for 80% of the project’s total unit sales. I am confident of delivering better results for your company, particularly the monumental Bay Island Towers. 

Strengths

• 2 years of work experience in property management
• Licensed realtor
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management
• Knowledgeable in computers – Excel, Word, 360 Workplace, AppFolio Property Manager, and Buildium Property Management.
• Valid driver’s license
• Negotiation
• Communication
• Time management
• Results-oriented          

Work Experience

Senior Leasing Officer; 2018 to Present
Trident Realty, Portland, OR

Responsibilities

• Tasked to find buyers of the company’s 2018 flagship project, Twinland Homes, a two-building, 30-story development project with 600 units. 
• Sold 80% or 480 units with the assistance of 20 property agents within 9 months. 
• Recruited, evaluated, and selected property agents for the project.
• Lowered operating costs recommending an outsourcing arrangement to manage accounting, documentation, telemarketing, digital marketing, and lead generation with a company that is based in the Philippines. Outsourcing arrangement reduced operating costs by 40%.
• Presided over negotiations with prospective buyers; contract closing rate of 90%.
• Assisted buyers by recommending financing solutions; introduced buyers to mortgage officers that handled financing for the company’s clients.

Junior Leasing Officer; 2017 to 2018
Trident Realty, Portland, OR

Responsibilities

• Assigned to sell and/or lease properties and units that were developed by Trident Realty in the commercial sector.
• Tasked to sell houses that were developed by the company in the residential project, Grenville Subdivisions. 
• Sold 4 homes totaling $650,000 in sales for the Grenville Subdivisions project. 
• Tasked to sell units in the company’s commercial development project Peak Tower 1.
• Sold 10 office units for Peak Tower 1 totaling $350,000 in sales.
• Won “Top Salesman” in 2017.

Education

College
Bachelor’s Degree
Business Management
Portland Community College-Southeast
Portland, OR
2012 to 2016

High School
Franklin High School
Portland, OR
2008 to 2012

Certifications/Licenses

• Licensed Realtor – State of Oregon, 2016

As you have read in the resume, we focused on achievements that Gwendolyn made in her 2 years in the property leasing industry. Her achievements were validated by numbers that give them more substance and makes them read more impressively. 

The objective was to convince the hiring managers of Devlin Property Developers that if they hire Gwen, they will have an achiever onboard the team.

Finance Resume for Five Years’ of Experience

By the time you hit Year #5 in the field of Finance, you could be qualified for some of the top positions listed in the job market. There will be no question on your commitment to your career. For the recruiter, it may come down to who has accomplished the most. 

How do you write a resume for a career in Finance if you have at least five years of work experience?

 

1. Use the Reverse-Chronological Format

 

Some may argue that you should use the Functional format to draw more attention to the technical skills you acquired in the last five years. 

While that is correct, the reverse-chronological format still offers more advantages:

• The reverse-chronological is easier to follow for recruiters.
• It may still come down to work experience. With the reverse-chronological format, your work experience will be the centerpiece of your resume. Add to that a sharp focus on your accomplishments and you have the combination for a winning resume.

2. Summarize Your Technical Skills

 

 

You can use the “Strengths” section to summarize the technical skills you acquired during the last five years. 

If you attained a professional license, this should appear as early as the Contact Information section. 

For example, let’s assume Charles Thompson who was featured in our entry-level resume section successfully passed his CPA exam. 

If he decides to apply for a new job in five years, the contact information of his resume should be updated to read as follows:

Contact Information

Name: Charles B. Thompson; CPA
Professional License No.: 1245672889
Address: 14562 Green Street, Chicago, IL.
Phone: (773) 324 6785
Email: [email protected]

 

3. Focus On Your Accomplishments

 

Recruiters want to know what you have done in the last 5 years to merit strong consideration for the job. 

Specifically, they want to see how you contributed to the success of your previous employer. 

Similar to our example of a Finance resume for someone with two years of work experience, the focus of the work experience section should be on your accomplishments.

Sample Resume for a Finance Professional with Five Years’ of Experience

 

Contact Information
Name: Naomi F. Messingberg
Address: 35762 Elmley Avenue, Baltimore, MD
Phone: (410) 453 7641
Email: [email protected]

Objective Statement

Loan Officer with 5 years of work experience is interested in becoming the Senior Loan Office of Magnus Financial. In my current term as Loan Officer for Ridell National Bank, the loan delinquency rate of my portfolio is only 2.79% which is better than the state average of 7.47%. In 2018, my loan portfolio reached $12.7 Million, the highest in Ridell. If hired, I am confident that I can bring onboard my ability to procure low-risk accounts for Magnus.

Strengths

• 5 years of work experience
• Top Performer 2018, Ridell National
• Top Performer, 2017, Ridell National
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
• Knowledgeable in Computers – Excel, Velocify Loan Engage, Mortgage iQ, and BNTouch
• Methodical Approach to Loan Analysis
• Detail-Oriented
• Excellent Communication Skills

Work Experience

Loan Officer; 2014 to Present
Lidell National Bank, Baltimore, MD

Responsibilities

• Offer loan packages for home and car acquisition, business and investment purposes.
• Manage loan portfolio valued at $12.7 Million.
• Recorded the lowest loan delinquency average of 2.79% in 2018.
• Contributed to the profitability of Ridell National Bank by reducing the loan delinquency average rate to 4.65%.
• Actively market the bank’s products and services to institutional clients.
• Contributed to the review, revision, and improvement of the bank’s policies on credit guidelines, procedures, and standards.
• Analyze potential markets for the bank’s lending packages and created referral networks to target specific prospects for the loans.

Education

College
Bachelor’s Degree
Business Administration
Baltimore Community College
Baltimore, MD
2008 to 2012

High School
Edmonson-Westside High School
Baltimore, MD
2004 to 2008

How Long Should A Finance Resume Be?

Unless your work experience exceeds ten years, keep it down to only one page. How many minutes does it take a recruiter to read a resume? Try seconds. Recruiters don’t read through a resume; they scan it.

The length of a resume does not equate to the quality of its content. An experienced HR Officer knows what to look for. 

What would justify having a resume that is more than one page long?

• You have more than ten years of work experience.
• You have acquired an arm’s length worth of learning and skills.
• You have a long list of achievements in the industry.
• You attended several workshops and seminars that are relevant to the industry. 

Other than the reasons mentioned above, keep your resume short and down to only one page.

Where Just Graduated Education and Childcare Students Can Submit Their Resumes And Search For Jobs

You just completed four years of college and have that long-awaited Bachelor’s degree. So what’s next? Once the pats-on-the-back and congratulatory handshakes have dried up, it’s time to look for your first job.

The good news is that with the continued evolution of the Internet, there are plenty of websites to send your resumes to. 

Here is a shortlist of good sites to consider when you are looking to start a career in Finance:

• eFinancial Careers – You can find job openings in a variety of Finance-related work such as Investment Bankers, Asset Managers, Actuaries, and Business Analysts.
• Financial Job Bank – This website offers opportunities at all levels from entry-level to those with more than five years of work experience. Financial Job Bank makes the job search easier by allowing you to create an online profile so that potential employers can contact you directly.
• LinkedIn – The preferred social media by professionals, job seekers, and recruiters, you won’t find anyone posting a picture of their lunchtime meal at LinkedIn. 

Create a solid online profile and start networking! Give potential employers a peek of your qualifications by blogging weekly and by actively participating in discussion threads. 

• Indeed – Indeed is one of the more successful online job marketplaces on the Internet. You can browse through thousands of job postings for positions in Finance daily. 
• Glassdoor – Glassdoor is a great platform to use because you can find valuable information on key job considerations such as salary, benefits, and company culture. 

Don’t stop at the job websites. Expand your reach and connect with your network. Look for key referrals who can help you put one foot inside the door. And don’t shy away from old school legwork! Find the companies that are hiring and bring your resume directly to them.