MBB -> Hedge fund, how should I polish my resume?

Thanks for helping!

I'm a theoretical particle physics PhD graduated in 2023. After graduation, I joined MBB (top tier consulting company) as a consultant and had done a lot of strategy projects, building soft skills(program managing, stakeholder management, market research etc), but nothing related to programming or leveraging mathematical modelling. 

Now I want to apply for quantitativer reseacher role at hedge funds (better aligning my interest and skillset), but I'm not sure how to make my MBB experience valueable on my CV... Or should I minimize MBB experience and focus more on phd research experience? 

Thanks a lot for your advices!!

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some detailed tips to polish your resume for a transition from MBB consulting to a quantitative researcher role at a hedge fund:

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

  1. Quantify Your Achievements:

    • Emphasize any quantifiable results from your MBB projects. For example, "Led a strategy project that resulted in a 15% increase in market share for a client."
  2. Focus on Transferable Skills:

    • Highlight skills that are relevant to a quantitative researcher role, such as:
      • Program Management: Demonstrates your ability to handle complex projects.
      • Stakeholder Management: Shows your capability to communicate and manage expectations effectively.
      • Market Research: Indicates your analytical skills and ability to derive insights from data.
  3. Leverage Your PhD Experience:

    • Emphasize your PhD research experience, especially any work involving mathematical modeling, data analysis, or programming. This is crucial for a quantitative researcher role.
    • Example: "Developed complex mathematical models to simulate particle interactions, resulting in a published paper in a top-tier journal."

Tailor Your Resume for the Hedge Fund Role

  1. Professional Experience Section:

    • Clearly separate your MBB experience from your PhD research.
    • Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements at MBB, focusing on those that demonstrate analytical and quantitative skills.
  2. Education Section:

    • Highlight your PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics prominently.
    • Include any relevant coursework or projects that involved quantitative analysis or programming.
  3. Skills Section:

    • List any programming languages or tools you are proficient in (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB).
    • Mention any certifications or courses related to finance or quantitative analysis.

Formatting and Presentation

  1. Consistency and Attention to Detail:

    • Ensure your resume is free of formatting and grammatical errors. Consistency in font, bullet points, and tense is crucial.
    • Print your resume to check for any formatting issues that might not be visible on screen.
  2. Tailor to the Role:

    • Customize your resume for each application, emphasizing the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific hedge fund role.

Example Bullet Points for MBB Experience

  • "Led a cross-functional team to develop a market entry strategy for a Fortune 500 company, resulting in a projected $50M revenue increase."
  • "Conducted in-depth market research and data analysis to identify growth opportunities, presenting findings to senior stakeholders."

Example Bullet Points for PhD Experience

  • "Developed and implemented advanced mathematical models to simulate particle interactions, enhancing the accuracy of theoretical predictions."
  • "Utilized Python and MATLAB for data analysis and visualization, contributing to multiple peer-reviewed publications."

By focusing on these areas, you can effectively showcase your MBB experience and PhD research in a way that aligns with the requirements of a quantitative researcher role at a hedge fund. Good luck with your application!

Sources: Q&A: Former MBB Consultant, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Q&A: PhD -> MBB (with some steps in between), WSO Hedge Fund Resume Template for Professionals with Deal Experience is Released!, Cover Letter + Resume Advice

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Consequatur ipsum similique dolor enim. Architecto dolores sit consequuntur iure et. Voluptatem quasi est omnis. Facere quo tenetur doloremque aut ad dolores quod.

Eaque necessitatibus ut aut. Ducimus voluptatem deserunt officia recusandae facere porro. Quisquam nesciunt atque et consequuntur a suscipit. Unde explicabo ea a dolor. Voluptate sequi officia dicta facere.

Eveniet beatae aspernatur quia impedit odit aut et. Et a dolores libero animi eveniet. Facilis omnis autem voluptatum soluta. Optio et molestiae amet consectetur velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Millennium Partners 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (77) $191
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”