How cooked is my resume?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s what you need to know:

Your resume is a critical tool for landing internships in asset management or family offices. To assess how "cooked" your resume is and whether you should focus on improving it, consider the following:

1. Resume Structure and Focus:

   • Your CV should have a clear thesis. For example, if you want to highlight a specific internship or experience, make it the largest section of your resume. This ensures the reader remembers you for that standout experience.
   • Tailor your resume to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to asset management or family offices, such as financial modeling, research, or client relationship management.

2. Key Areas to Highlight:

   • Internship Experience: If you’ve had prior internships, especially in finance, make them prominent. Highlight specific achievements, such as research contributions, financial analysis, or portfolio management tasks.
   • Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, and valuation techniques is highly valued. If you lack these, consider taking courses like the WSO Elite Modeling Package to strengthen your technical foundation.
   • Certifications: If you’re pursuing or have completed certifications like the CFA Level 1, include them. They demonstrate commitment to the field.
   • Education: Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or academic achievements that align with asset management.

3. Improvement Within Your Local Firm:

   • If you’re currently at a local firm, leverage this opportunity to gain relevant experience. Focus on tasks that align with asset management, such as market research, investment analysis, or client reporting.
   • Seek mentorship or additional responsibilities that can enhance your resume.

4. Networking:

   • Use networking to your advantage. Attend firm events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and seek informational interviews. Networking can often open doors to internships, even if your resume isn’t perfect.

5. Resume Review:

   • Consider a professional resume review service, like the WSO Resume Review, to refine your resume. Detailed edits and feedback from finance professionals can significantly improve your chances.

If your resume lacks strong, relevant experience or technical skills, it’s worth investing time in improving it. However, if you already have a solid foundation, focus on networking and applying strategically.

Sources: 16 Tips to Improve Your Investment Banking Resume, Anyone care to take a quick look at my resume?, What should go on my resume and cover letter in my circumstance for internship applications (RE specific), Consulting Recruiting 2023, This kid's got the PERFECT Resume