Need some guidance for my CV/resume
I'm in my final year of University, graduating next summer. I also recently completed a year long full time Industrial Placement year with a Big 4 firm, but not wanting to go back to them.
I've applied to some firms already and now I'm targeting more buy-side analyst roles and it would be great if someone is willing to give some feedback on my CV.
Thanks in advance,
I'd remove interest and hobbies. If you think you still need to keep this section, just keep it to one line.
Thank you both for the tips. What do you think of the actual content, should it be more brief, do I sell myself enough?
Ideally, the Resume should harbor all the specifics as laid out in the job description (for which you are applying) so that the Resume Management System (a software used by biggies to short-list applicants) can track these key words. Hence, it makes sense to use those keywords while highlighting your achievements (most important). No recruiter will spend more than 10 secs in a resume pulled out from the large applicant pool by the software. After all, why would they when they have options? So, the onus lies on the applicant to ensure he matches the job description to the maximum. For example, I'm in technology sales and business development, so I'd write -
"Led all sales and business development activities in SME (less than USD 150 M), NY region, and achieved x% growth during FY50 through a 12 member private cloud computing solutions team".
Employers always look at your contribution to your organization - how much money did you make for them during your tenure? What growth did you achieve against your fiscal budget?
As a Freshman, one should focus on interns, leadership assignments, workshops, extra projects, extra-curricular activities, academic scores (including your gmat score) and relevant certifications (like CFA). All these should be highlighted in the first paragraph itself. For example, ...
"A Harvard MBA (GPA 4.8/5.0, top 5% percentile; GMAT 750/800) valuation expert, specializing in DCF, financial analysis and capital structures, aspiring for an Analyst role in PE/IB"...
... followed by one liner on what you have done in each of these highlighted areas, besides your good understanding in topics like distressed M&A, LBO, etc. Make it simple, crisp, precise and concise in a presentable clear format. As a Freshman, your Resume shouldn't cross one page. Most important, show your financial acumen, passion, motivation and long-term commitment to the field.
EDIT: Regarding the resume format, occupy the entire page by adjusting the page margin. Standard font size: 12, font style: Times Roman, Line Space: 1.5. If any key words need to be highlighted, ONLY two color combinations, Bold or Underline should be used. Headers can be identified by UPPERCASE letters.
Thanks again ! Much appreciated
Looking at the actual content:
Add the years you were at Uni/School, similar to what is on the work experience section
Your last work experience section, the retailer, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that its the compulsory 1 week work experience in Year 10/11? Doesn't add anything to your CV, especially as its so long ago, and not particularly relevant to buy-side roles.
To fill out your CV, you could change work experience to Work Experience and Positions of Responsibility. Have you taken on any leadership positions at uni (societies)?
You mention "Good stock picking skills". Who has said that? If its you, you need validation through portfolio performance or an extended competition of some sort.
In other "key" skills, assembling a computer, diagnosing hardware/software issues/image suites aren't key to the job. Leave the assembling computer in your interests, but remove it from here. Alternatively combine the two sections into Key Skills and Interests. List the languages you are proficient in, no need to say advanced Excel skills.
In your personal profile you talk about a portfolio, but don't include it in your interests section. Have it there, maybe talk about performance
-No need for references available on request, waste of space, if they need references, they will ask you.
Hope it helps
delete all of "Other Key Skills". delete working in Tesco experience, no one cares. delete references, of course references are available on request. as said above, delete the top missive. don't call it a "career summary" you haven't had a career yet, you're like 20 years old.
generally a terrible CV. you state facts and do not consider your achievements. the use of the word "employed" is emblematic of the whole CV. It all sounds so passive.
i just keep finding horrid things about this CV.....just say football, no one gives two shits if its 5 aside or the full game....one more, don't call yourself "Mr.", seriously.
Thank you all for the constructive feedback so far, I've updated the CV and uploaded it again at the top as a v2. Should I write my name in upper case letters?
there's just too much wrong here and my hangover is really kicking in now, but here are some of favourites
maintaining your hand built PC = GEEEEEKKKKKK. ding
what the fuck is a "full" GCSE? as opposed to half a GCSE?
you "helped" with a project? what the fuck does that mean? you held the door open for the coffee boy? or you did the whole thing?
basic proficiency of French? i don't care that you can order a beer in Paris, however mildly useful that is.
you should post hungover more often, this is gold
Alright, amended those things, thanks for the feedback as well! If you have some more please feel free to share, thanks.
Better, but still changes need to be made.
I see you've made it "Work experience and positions of responsibility" I wouldn't add that block like that. Instead move the CEO thing to the Interests section.
You could make the voluntary teaching thing into its own, and maybe you successfully helped XX% gain A grades, or pass the 11+. Managed the relationship between parents and teacher. Implemented new ways of teaching?
Still don't feel the 1 week of experience at a retailer helps at all, it's 7 years old, was one week, are there any skills learnt during that week, that you haven't mentioned elsewhere in your CV?
Agree with Oreos on the building and maintaining of computers, seems too 'geeky', especially with the Android stuff. Would work if you were applying to Google, not for finance so much.
What are your A-level grades, most don't look at UCAS points, unless you've got ABB, I would write out Maths (A), Physics (B) etc...
And while there are half-GCSEs, if you've not got one, why bother writing full GCSE. People automatically assume full GCSEs.
The best way to look at a Resume is to put yourself in the shoes of the Interview, and think whether you will hire the applicant. The same applies to the Recruiter as well - s/he has metrics to close positions, plus a reputation that s/he has to build with the Manager through her/his performance. So, here are few additional points -
(1) You can write anything that is relevant to the job. The best analogy I can give you is to think of your Resume as the business magazine's cover page - you look at the layout, see the topics under "Contents" and then decide whether or not to buy it. The magazine carries a lot of other topics that are not much of interest to us, but we still buy it because it has a good cover story, few columns on finance, market trends and statistics.
(2) The order of precedence should be in the reverse chronological manner, meaning you should write the most relevant and latest experience first and then descend to the diverse areas. There is no harm in writing "Raised USD 2,000 for a non-profit organization that help destitute children in UK" when you are applying for an Analyst role in PE/IB/Consulting/HF. I'd keep it under "Other Credentials" at the bottom. Remember, hiring managers do consider candidates who carry cross-industry, cross functional experiences. It's always an advantageous. One should write experience and credentials which are solid and quantifiable.
(3) As a Freshman, it's very hard to see candidates with diverse experience (because we are just out of the college and new to this corporate world). The Interviewers know this. So, do not worry too much about differentiating yourself from others. Just keep this in mind -
I'd avoid writing things in my resume that are superficial. Instead, I focus on my core skills and strengths and make it very clear that I have only one/two skill(s) and I'm VERY STRONG at it. Just write them and leave it, even if the resume is just a quarter full.
Thanks again, I really do appreciate this in-depth feedback. I remember reading that 'it's difficult to see the picture when you're inside the frame', I think it applies here for sure.
Yeah you can go more brief like putting achievements and accomplishments in resume. But try to keep CV as simple as possible because you are already providing details in your resume. Like interest and hobbies you can keep it if you want but as per my opinion you don't need to put in your resume. Writing a cover letter is very important with resume.
Lengthy Resume: Unless you need to mention a particular field, don’t make your resume appear bulky with unnecessary texts. Let your resume appear as a clean single page with crucial details and no extra words.
References: Always provide references on request. If an employer wants them; they will mail you.
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