In line with the new changes that are coming to WSO, this new Resume Review System should help out everyone here vying for those coveted finance positions. Any comments in this thread that are not constructive or does not give specific feedback to a resume will be deleted. This service has now been given its own Forum so that each new Resume can be given its own thread. Please ignore any non-resume threads in this forum (used to be called the Investment Inn). If you would like a more thorough and professional critique of your resume we also offer a paid option called the WSO Finance Resume Review. Also, make sure you check out our testimonials.
You can upload your resume free online for a critique from the community. Please read on for more details.
It’s easy:
- Make everything and anything on your resume that might give away who you are generic. Remove/change your contact information. The obvious stuff includes changing your name, address, email, etc. etc. After that, how specific or general you keep it is up to you (eg: “Merrill Lynch Summer Analyst” vs. “Bulge Bracket Summer Analyst”). You get the idea. Leave things like your school, GPA, formatting, hobbies, and any other small things intact.
- At this stage you can upload your anonymous resume as a .pdf or .doc file that can be easily accessed and viewed in public on the internet. Some of you may have file hosting space from your school, etc. For those who do not check out www.mediafire.com. You can upload files there and them share the links in this thread.
- Whether you decide to use a free third party posting service here or the paid WSO service, when you give the community the link to your resume please let us know what position you are applying for, the firms you are targeting (BB? MM? Both?), and any other background information or questions you’d like answered.
WARNINGS!
- Things could get ugly. Be ready for some harsh criticism. While your identity is protected, if you are a regular poster and decide to go with a third party service, realize that you are putting up your own resume: people can see it and will make judgments.
- This is definitely not for the faint of heart. If you feel that getting some good, hard-hitting honest feedback will help strengthen your case, then put your resume up. If you do not have SUPER thick skin, do not post your resume. Again, the paid version of the service provides more anonymity since you are not the one posting the resume but users on WSO can be very harsh.
- I know I’m repeating the same point, but do not begin complaining if after you post your resume, people start making some insensitive comments. You are expected to take the good with the bad since this is a free service (or relatively cheap). After all, while it may be embarrassing that you have, “Prepared over 30 pitch books with perfect attention to detail”, it will help you out in the long run to exclude that bullet.
Good luck! In the good spirit of fueling ego, any certified users that feel their resumes are top notch should definitely send them to share at [email protected], so others can see what goes into a strong resume.
Also, when you provide advice to the candidates, specify to whom you are addressing your thoughts AND YOUR BACKGROUND ("2 years in IB and 2 years in PE" or "Junior in college").
ps - Thanks to Alphaholic for the idea.
