Roast My Resume, Please Literally Any Advice is Welcome

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key points to consider when refining your resume for IB Summer Analyst (SA) 2027 positions:

1. Structure and Formatting

• White Space Management: Avoid excessive white space. A cluttered or overly sparse resume can deter recruiters. Ensure your resume is visually balanced and easy to read.
• Consistency: Maintain uniform formatting for fonts, bullet points, and spacing. Inconsistencies can make your resume look unpolished.
• Length: Stick to one page. Recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning resumes, so brevity is key.

2. Content Prioritization

• Thesis Statement: Your resume should tell a clear story. Highlight your most relevant experience (e.g., internships, leadership roles) prominently. If you have a standout internship, make it the focal point.
• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate impact. For example, instead of "Assisted in deal analysis," write "Conducted due diligence on a $50M M&A deal, identifying cost synergies of $5M."
• Remove Irrelevant Experience: Avoid including unrelated jobs unless they showcase transferable skills. For instance, part-time jobs like taxi driving or retail work should only be included if they fill a significant gap or demonstrate resilience.

3. Bullet Points

• Action-Oriented Language: Start each bullet point with strong action verbs like "Led," "Analyzed," "Developed," or "Executed."
• Focus on Results: Highlight what you accomplished, not just what you did. For example, "Streamlined reporting processes, reducing turnaround time by 20%."
• Parallel Structure: Ensure all bullet points follow the same grammatical structure for readability.

4. Education Section

• GPA: If your GPA is strong (3.5+), include it. If not, consider leaving it out or including a major GPA if it's higher.
• Relevant Coursework: List finance, accounting, or quantitative courses that align with IB skills.
• Leadership Roles: If you held leadership positions in school organizations, include them here or in a separate section.

5. Skills and Interests

• Technical Skills: Highlight proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, and any relevant software (e.g., Bloomberg, Python).
• Unique Interests: Include interests that make you memorable but avoid generic ones like "traveling." Opt for specific, active, and unique hobbies (e.g., "Competitive chess player" or "Marathon runner").

6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Overloading with Text: Avoid making your resume a "wall of text." Use concise bullet points and leave some breathing room.
• Generic Descriptions: Tailor your resume to IB roles. Avoid vague phrases like "Worked on various projects."
• Unnecessary Details: Skip high school achievements unless they are extraordinary or directly relevant.

7. Additional Tips

• Intro Paragraph: If your background is non-traditional, consider adding a brief summary at the top to provide context and tie your experiences together.
• Proofreading: Double-check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies. Even minor mistakes can hurt your chances.
• Feedback: Share your resume with peers, mentors, or professionals in the industry for additional insights.

If you'd like more tailored advice, feel free to share specific details about your resume (e.g., key experiences, challenges). Good luck with your IB SA 2027 recruiting!

Sources: Can some real estate people take a look at my resume and tell me if I'm making a fool of myself or not?, Anyone care to take a quick look at my resume?, Q&A: I just conducted interviews in 4 Superdays, CV Review - please rip my CV apart, Please tear apart my resume - 3rd Year Analyst