Roast my resume

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of what might need improvement on your resume and story:

1. Your Story Needs Clarity and Focus:

   • Right now, your narrative is scattered. "Backpacking in LATAM" and "Merchants of Debt" are interesting, but they don't tie into a cohesive professional story. You need to clearly articulate why your experiences make you a strong candidate for the roles you're targeting.
   • Highlight how your internships and work experience align with your goal of doing exciting deals in your home region. Make it clear how your background and skills are a perfect fit for the job.

2. Ethnic Name Considerations:

   • If your name is ethnically Chinese, consider how it might be perceived. Based on previous WSO threads, using a format like "Bob Liang" or "Bob (Liuzhang) Liang" can help mitigate potential biases. Avoid formats like "Liuzhang (Bob) Liang" unless your ethnicity is a value-add for the role.

3. Backpacking Mention:

   • While backpacking is a great personal experience, it doesn't belong on your resume unless it directly ties into skills or experiences relevant to the job. Focus on professional achievements instead.

4. Internships in Home Region:

   • If your internships were in China or another non-English-speaking country, be cautious. WSO threads suggest that multiple internships in your home country might raise concerns about your ability to work in an English-speaking environment. Counter this by emphasizing any US-based or Western internships, or roles that required strong English communication skills.

5. Language Skills:

   • If you're bilingual, list it as "Native English and Mandarin" to make it clear you're fluent in both. Avoid vague terms like "proficient" or "conversational" unless you're ready to back it up.

6. Resume Structure:

   • Ensure your resume tells a clear story. Avoid mixing volunteer roles with professional experience. Use separate sections like "Professional Experience" and "Leadership/Extracurricular Activities."
   • Remove irrelevant or outdated experiences (e.g., high school roles unless they add significant value).

7. Key Words and Achievements:

   • Use action-oriented bullet points with measurable results. For example, instead of "Assisted in financial modeling," say "Built financial models that supported $X million in deal value."
   • Include keywords like "comparables," "valuation," "M&A," or "leveraged buyouts" if relevant to the roles you're targeting.

8. Avoid Over-Personalization:

   • While your background is unique, don't overplay personal anecdotes like "reading Merchants of Debt." Instead, focus on how your experiences and skills make you a strong candidate.

9. Address Potential Biases:

   • If you're concerned about HR screening, make it clear you're a US citizen and fluent in English. You can include a line like "US Citizen, fluent in English and Mandarin" in a skills or summary section.

10. Professionalism Over Honesty:

    • WSO threads emphasize the importance of "salesmanship" on resumes. Even if some of your internships involved mundane tasks, frame them in a way that highlights your contributions and skills.

Final Tip: Your resume should scream "ready for high finance." Every bullet point should reflect skills, achievements, and experiences that align with the roles you're targeting. If it doesn't add value, cut it. And remember, your story is what ties it all together—make it compelling, concise, and relevant.

Sources: Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Resume and cover letter - a reviewers perspective, Whitening My Resume, Anyone care to take a quick look at my resume?