Resume feedback with no relevant experience
I've been applying to internships and jobs to gain some experience in finance, but I've struggled for the longest time to get responses. Im not sure how to overcome this so i'd like some feedback on my resume and its contents / structure. I've been working since I was 15, but all my work experience is not relevant to banking. How can I make myself more marketable? I was part of an unaffiliated fraternity at my school for a year but its not recognized. I've also managed a startup throughout 2020 that was profitable although the business was in the cannabis industry and was not licensed. I also am studying for the SIE FINRA exam scheduled for June 28th, 2021. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone is willing to do a mock interview please let me know.
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| Resume2021.pdf 180.55 KB | 180.55 KB |
Re: Resume - not sure what's going with the dates for the education section, I would recommend trying to sound as professional as possible through the resume, try to make the format as simple as possible, and then make sure the text for the bullet points fills up the entire line (no whitespace). There are a couple good templates online.
In terms of finding internships, I would emphasize that networking is the most important ingredient, regardless of you much of a target your school is, or how strong your credentials or resume is. If you are looking to get a taste of finance experience, I would recommend casting a wide net with any opportunities you see on Handshake, LinkedIn, etc., as well as reaching out to small firms in the area (many are surprisingly wiling to bring on someone for a summer).
Response rates are pretty low in any networking situation, so you really have to be relentless in conveying your knowledge + interest in the role, multiple follow-ups if necessary. One area I would recommend targeting are Search Funds, which is basically where one operator is looking to buy and run a small business. This is also technically a buy-side role, so really give you a lot to talk about in future interviews about your interest and experience with dealmaking/transactions. I would try searchfunder.com for some internship listings.
Given my situation, what should be the key components on my resume?
Ignoring formatting changes, I would slow down with the relevant coursework (also integrate that with the EDU section bullet points). I would then take that student fund experience you have listed and drill down, thinking maybe like 4 bullet points. Go deep into what you did, try to be as specific and technical as possible (seems you also have strong exposure to some really advanced modeling tbh, so use that).
Ex. Pitched Clover Health (NASDAQ: CLOV), citing demographic trends, competitive pricing structure ... and constructed Discounted Cash Flow model implying undervaluation ... presented to the investment committee, resulting in the fund taking a 10% position ... realized x% upside.
For the Amazon role, your current points are already strong, maybe change the last one to more "showing" rather than "telling." I would recommend keeping this one and then as a third experience, maybe find something more finance-related (the market associate role will show similar skills to the amazon role, so it wouldn't be as helpful as something that shows more of your interest). Anything from a blog, giving family/friends financial advice, or anything else you can think of. I would also remove the last section, but put that you're taking SIE exam in one of the Skills/Interests bullets.
To tag on the dates; nobody cares you took a semester off (it seems). Aug 2016 to July 2021. Done.
Your relevant coursework uhhh doesn't seem too relevant as you've listed nearly every class in your degree I bet. I'm not too sure the standards on those as I am not American but having "The Stock Market" isn't selling me much anyways.
I just added the listed course names. Is that a waste of space?
But you've added all of your courses it seems. I defer to Americans but that doesn't seem helpful to have all of them. Seems like stopping at Macro would be best if you want them (+ real estate).
MY 0.02:
The Career Goals section at the bottom is not needed. To me it will reflect negatively upon you for any role that is not specifically M&A. Why do they want to hire you, train you, and pay you just so you leave to work on M&A somewhere else?
Consider making up some BS statistic about your time in the Hylander Financial Group- any section without statistics showing results is weak in my opinion.
Trim the list of courses down to a select few highlights. Did you take these courses in high school? Why are they below your high school part?
Ditch the 9 Mos, 1 Yr 9 Mos stuff it doesn't add value.
The top formatting is messed up, but that could just be on this version
The bullet pt 'Finance' is awkward maybe expand it by mentionign a special focus into finance and other X topics.
With these changes, you might be left with significant white space. Do a side project. Becoming an expert on some niche topic / company is tremendously valuable especially if you can steer interview conversations toward it. On my resume I have several 'bait' points which are basically clickbait to get the interviewer to inquire about them, then I hit it out of the park. I've only heard the idea of bait points from one mentor of mine and it is hands down the best piece of resume advice I've ever received.
Thanks for the critique. Do you mind expanding a bit more on the "clickbait" aspect? It sounds useful. What sort of experience would be intriguing? I am planning to do some mock pitchbooks over summer to get a better idea of the job and to show an interest in the field.
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