I keep failing the first round of internships and grad schemes. What's wrong with my resume?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some potential issues with your resume and actionable tips to improve it:

1. Lack of Specificity and Measurable Results

• Your resume might not be showcasing your achievements in a quantifiable way. Employers in finance love to see measurable impact. For example:
  • Instead of saying "self-run systematic trading," specify the results: "Managed a self-run systematic trading portfolio, achieving a 15% annualized return over two years with $X in assets under management."
  • For internships, highlight specific contributions: "Developed a financial model that improved forecasting accuracy by 20%."

2. Formatting and Presentation

• A poorly formatted resume can lead to immediate rejection. Ensure:
  • Consistency: Use the same font, bullet style, and spacing throughout.
  • Maximized Space: Avoid excessive white space and use margins effectively.
  • One Page Only: Resumes longer than one page are an auto-ding in finance.
  • Font Choice: Stick to professional fonts like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial, with a font size no greater than 12.

3. Action-Oriented Language

• Use strong, action-oriented verbs in your bullet points. For example:
  • "Executed," "Developed," "Led," "Optimized," etc.
• Avoid vague or passive language like "helped" or "assisted."

4. Tailoring for Each Application

• Your resume might not be tailored to the specific roles you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight relevant skills or experiences.
• For example, if applying for investment banking, emphasize financial modeling, valuation, and deal experience (even if simulated).

5. Skills and Interests Section

• This section can make you stand out but must be meaningful. Avoid generic interests like "traveling" or "reading." Instead, include unique, verifiable hobbies or achievements (e.g., "Certified Scuba Diver," "Completed a marathon in under 3 hours").

6. Defensibility

• Be prepared to defend every line on your resume. If you list "systematic trading," ensure you can discuss your strategy, tools used (e.g., Python, R), and results in detail.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Spelling/Grammar Errors: Even one mistake can lead to rejection. Print your resume and proofread it carefully.
• Irrelevant Information: Remove high school details or unrelated jobs unless they add value.
• Overloading Sections: Don’t overemphasize less relevant experiences (e.g., extracurriculars) at the expense of internships or trading experience.

8. Additional Tips

• Write in Past Tense: Even for current roles, use past tense to maintain consistency.
• Save as PDF: Always submit your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting.
• Start Early: Perfecting a resume takes time. Revise and seek feedback from professionals or peers.

9. Online Tests

• If you're also failing online tests, consider practicing with platforms like JobTestPrep or SHL to improve your performance.

By addressing these areas, you can significantly improve your chances of passing the CV screening stage. If you'd like, I can help you refine specific sections of your resume further!

Sources: 16 Tips to Improve Your Investment Banking Resume, 16 Tips to Improve Your Investment Banking Resume, Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, Cover Letter + Resume Advice, I'll help you with your CV (Top IB VP)