Okay. Couple things.
1. I'm a rising senior at Univ. of Texas, but I will be taking a fifth year so next summer I want to try to do a SA internship in NY. Will being a 5 year student hurt me in the application process?
2. For my first two years of college I was a philosophy major and I added Economics my junior year. I don't have that much relevant course experience yet, especially for finance positions. However, I do feel that I know quite a bit about finance as I have done plenty of reading, etc. Is there a way to show this on my resume? Is there some kind of certification I should look into to make up for a lack of finance/accounting coursework?
3. This summer I am doing a wealth management internship at Merrill Lynch. Everyone says PWM internships are bs, which is probably true in a lot of cases, but I lucked out and got a boss who actually gave me things to do aside from get coffee. I have run wealth outlook reports and updated liquidity needs in accordance with FINRA requirements, I've used excel extensively and created several worksheets for one of the financial advisors that automatically updates current stock quotes and computes the value of clients' stock options, I have done a healthy amount of cold-calling, and I have done an extensive stalking campaign for highly experienced FAs in our area. My question is, which of these things belong on a resume? And how should I frame them? I work for a barrons top 1000 financial advisor (top 50), should I try to include his name or is this a faux pas?
4. My GPA is 3.6.
5. I have never taken the SAT. Should I consider taking the GMAT or some other standardized test before recruiting begins? I am an excellent standardized test taker.
6. I graduated high school in 3 years. Does this belong on a resume? Or maybe a cover letter? If so, how should I bring it up?
7. I am an officer in one honor society and I am a member of another, but my main leadership roles have been in my sorority. Is it bad to bring these up? I have managed a budget of about 20k and educated a pledge class of 70 girls. Should I put these things on there, or no?
I am just starting to restructure my resume so that it reflects the new direction I am headed rather than the (dead end) liberal arts direction it reflected previously.
Basically... am I wasting my time? I don't like wealth management, but I love studying the markets, and I think being an analyst would be ideal. Unfortunately I got a late start. Would appreciate any comments/advice as I begin work on my resume.
Thanks!
Here is a link to what I have so far. I know its rough. I especially need help with what to say for my Merrill Lynch section. http://www.razume.com/documents/26628
Also, I've noticed lots of resumes have "interests" section. Should I include this? One reason I think it would be a good idea is because I am female but I'm quite good at golf. This might not matter in NY, but its big in Texas. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Too much white space. Put it in the Mergers & Inquisitions format.
And then add an interests section and add interesting things, AKA conversation starters. I've had it happen to me more than once where I'll hand my resume to the interviewer at the beginning of the interview and then spend most of the time talking about something completely irrelevant building a rapport. Never underestimate the little things.
(btw, you blacked out one of the mentions of your sorority but not the other -- just letting you know in case you don't want to be identified)
Thanks Jrt & Chic.
SirBarney, could you give me an example or two of what is "interesting"? I play golf and ski, although I don't know that those really set me apart. I play chess... too nerdy? :) Is this section supposed to just be a list of things you like or is it supposed to reflect skills that aren't directly related to business/school?
For mine I put down Rubik's cube, so it really is pretty much 1 line of your resume that you can have fun with. Hell, put down dinosaurs if you like them/know about them.
Golf is good to put on provided you're actually halfway competent in it. The point of the interests section is to give your interviewer something to talk to you about besides tech/behavioral questions. If you have anything really unique/interesting, put it on there.
Ashleigh, your resume needs some work.. I would suggest using the M&I format.
Or you can make one of the best investments for your job search and hire a professional from our resume review service: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/wso-finance-resume-review
Let me offer you one really good piece of advice.
That MD you're supposedly close with? NEVER lose touch with him. Always look for opportunities through Managing Directors because they're worn-torn heroes. They've been through many battles, and have braved the undulous, financial jungle. Ask him for opportunities at ML. The economy is tough as hell right now, but try to use your current connections as best as you can. Good luck man! Please keep us posted!
Thank you for these responses, really great stuff. I downloaded the M&I template and got started on it. I'll try to upload it later tonight or tomorrow morning. It's a great template, thanks for the suggestion.
AQM- Suggestions for staying connected with the MD? He is really accommodating about advice, etc., but at this point I don't have a whole lot I can offer him in return for his help. What is a good way to hang on to that connection beyond the duration of my internship without saying "hey, let's keep being friends so I can call in a favor some day!" (sorry if this is a bit off topic for resume forum)
MDs understand that you're still young and probably know nothing about the actual industry, haha. They don't expect you to do anything for them in return; if they're helping you, it's out of the kindness of their heart (alternatively, they think you're an out-of-this-world badass baller who has major potential, but the chances of that are miniscule). Just reach out once every few months and let them know where you're headed in your career. Maybe toss in some requests for advice or "what do you think"-type questions. I've kept in contact with VPs and the like in a similar manner.
Here is an updated resume... I have done a lot of work on this and appreciate your input! http://www.razume.com/documents/26740
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