When applying for finance internships, your CV is one of the most critical tools to make a strong first impression. Given the competitive nature of the finance industry, creating a well-organized, concise, and tailored CV is essential. Recruiters typically spend only a few seconds scanning CVs, so ensuring yours stands out (in a professional way) is key.
1. Keep Your CV Concise and Structured
Finance internships demand precision and attention to detail. Your CV should reflect that. A standard CV in this field should ideally be 1 page long, especially for entry-level applicants and students. Use a clean, professional layout, and avoid excessive formatting or colors. Here’s a recommended structure:
- Header (Name & Contact Information)
- Personal Statement/Summary
- Education
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Certifications & Courses
- Extracurriculars & Leadership
- Interests (Optional)
- References (Optional)
Let’s break down each of these sections in detail.
2. Header: Name and Contact Information
Your header should be clean and professional. It should contain:
- Full Name: Bold and slightly larger than the rest of the text.
- Phone Number: Ensure it’s your primary number and voicemail is professional.
- Email Address: Use a professional email address, ideally one with your name. Avoid informal or humorous addresses.
- LinkedIn/Portfolio: If applicable, include a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio, but ensure it is up-to-date and relevant.
Example:
John Doe
Email: john.doe@gmail.com | Phone: (123) 456-7890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe
3. Personal Statement/Summary
A brief 2-3 sentence summary introducing yourself can make a big impact. This section is optional but can be useful to highlight your motivations and qualifications. Tailor it to the finance internship, focusing on your skills, experience, and ambitions in the finance industry.
Example:
“Second-year Finance student at XYZ University with a strong academic background in financial modeling and investment analysis. Seeking a summer internship to apply analytical skills and gain practical experience in corporate finance. Highly proficient in Excel, with a keen interest in equity research and portfolio management.”
4. Education
Your education section is crucial for finance internships, especially if you don’t have a lot of professional experience. Focus on:
- Institution name and degree (e.g., Bachelor of Finance, Economics, or related fields).
- Graduation year or expected graduation date.
- GPA: Include it if it’s above 3.5. Finance employers are generally GPA-conscious, so if it’s strong, highlight it.
- Relevant coursework: List courses that are directly related to finance, such as Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Investments, Economics, and Statistics.
- Academic Achievements: If you’ve received scholarships, honors, or dean’s list recognition, list them here.
Example:
XYZ University — Bachelor of Finance
Expected Graduation: May 2025 | GPA: 3.75/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Financial Modeling, Investment Analysis, Corporate Finance, Econometrics
Dean’s List: Fall 2022, Spring 2023
5. Work Experience
Even if you don’t have formal finance experience, this section can still be strong. Highlight any internships, part-time jobs, or relevant projects where you developed skills related to finance. Structure your work experience as follows:
- Job Title and Company: Keep it clear and concise.
- Dates: Include the month and year for both the start and end of the role.
- Bullet Points for Responsibilities and Achievements: Focus on results and use quantifiable metrics when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 15%” or “Assisted in managing $500K portfolio”).
If you don’t have direct finance experience, highlight transferable skills. Roles in data analysis, customer service, or sales can show skills like data-driven decision-making, communication, and teamwork.
Example:
Investment Analyst Intern — ABC Investment Firm
June 2023 – August 2023
- Assisted in analyzing financial statements and market trends for 10+ companies.
- Conducted valuation analyses using DCF and comparable companies approach.
- Supported portfolio managers with daily reports on portfolio performance and risk analysis.
- Participated in client meetings and contributed to the preparation of pitch decks.
6. Skills
The skills section should focus on technical and soft skills relevant to finance internships. Consider dividing this into two subsections: Technical Skills and Soft Skills.
- Technical Skills: Financial modeling, Excel (advanced), VBA, PowerPoint, Bloomberg Terminal, SQL, Python (if applicable), financial analysis tools, etc.
- Soft Skills: Analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership.
Example:
Technical Skills: Advanced Excel, Financial Modeling, Bloomberg Terminal, PowerPoint, Python
Soft Skills: Analytical thinking, Problem-solving, Leadership, Teamwork
7. Certifications & Courses
Many finance students pursue certifications to boost their credentials. Include any of the following that apply:
- CFA Level I/II Candidate
- Excel Certifications (e.g., Microsoft Excel Expert)
- Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) Certification
- Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)
Additionally, list online courses relevant to finance if they demonstrate initiative and skill-building.
Example:
- Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) Certificate
- Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) Candidate
- Completed Udemy course on Financial Statement Analysis
8. Extracurricular Activities & Leadership
Finance recruiters appreciate candidates who have demonstrated leadership skills and can work well in teams. Include involvement in:
- Finance/Investment clubs
- Leadership roles in student organizations
- Volunteering or mentoring
- Competitions (e.g., CFA Research Challenge)
Example:
Treasurer — XYZ Finance Club, XYZ University
August 2022 – Present
- Managed a budget of $10,000 for club activities and investment competitions.
- Organized finance workshops and led discussions on market trends.
9. Interests (Optional)
Including a brief interests section is optional but can add a personal touch. If you have interests related to finance (e.g., investing, following the stock market), mention those. Be genuine, but ensure the hobbies you list are appropriate for a professional setting.
10. References (Optional)
You can leave this section out or simply state, “References available upon request.” Avoid listing references unless specifically requested by the employer.