Microsoft Office Proficiency

Mergers & Inquisitions as many of you know has a resume template that they have designed and make available to the public. They also give out resume tips. One of them being that you should NOT list microsoft office skill proficiencies (excel, powerpoint, etc...) on your resume. However, I hardly ever see people omitting them.

Thoughts on whether you should or shouldn't omit microsoft office programs?

I mean in this day & age it just seems like common sense to be able to work with all of them...and I doubt anybody is "highly proficient" in any of them coming out of college.

8 Comments
 

It seems like common sense to us, but HR people aren't the brightest. I'm getting a higher amount of callbacks per application ratio than I was before when I didn't have it on.

Some phone interviews they asked about my proficiency in microsoft word, I was like "uh.. yeah I've been using it since middle school I know how to use word"

My skills bullet now has : "Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Bloomberg, Factset" instead of just "Bloomberg, Factset"

 
Best Response
WSOWillIt seems like common sense to us, but HR people aren't the brightest. I'm getting a higher amount of callbacks per application ratio than I was before when I didn't have it on.

Some phone interviews they asked about my proficiency in microsoft word, I was like "uh.. yeah I've been using it since middle school I know how to use word"

My skills bullet now has : "Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Bloomberg, Factset" instead of just "Bloomberg, Factset"

I don't think it hurts to have it on...but the question is, are you TRULY proficient in Excel? You dont use the mouse? That's what I woudl ask you if I was in a bad mood interviewing you :-)

 

In 2023, are HR still this dumb?

I mean, is it likely for HR to dinge me because I do not have a skills section (as Office is a minimum requirement)

 

It seems as relevant as including e-mail, Internet, & 'computers' proficiency. I can't imagine anybody being impressed that someone knows Microsoft applications.

 

Dolores sed corrupti ab. Atque incidunt qui voluptatem sed temporibus et. A amet ipsa quia suscipit sed accusamus. Quasi amet animi fugiat voluptatibus dolores.

------------ I'm making it up as I go along.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”