Working in the financial industry means you are someone that brings value in the company by providing financial planning and analysis to the company’s financial state and fulfilling other crucial tasks that can determine a company’s future state; with that being said, finance professional bring results and concrete data in the company. These characteristics should also be present in your resume.
Your resume as a finance professional should be able to show that you are someone that can deliver analysis on problems, provide solutions, and has a strong understanding of how numbers work in this industry.
We would be discussing further steps you can take in making your financial resume stand out from the rest. Improve on your resume with these tips:
1. Share what you have accomplished
It is important for you to detail what you have accomplished in your previous roles. This goes beyond your day-to-day activities at work. Quantify the things you have contributed to your past companies. Use your experience in working with numbers, provide metrics, percentage growth, etc. to highlight how you have added value to the company.
You can utilize this when you write bullet points for each role that you had. Make use of power verbs at the start of every bullet point and end with the result of your work.
Example: Identified a major discrepancy in the monthly cash flow that saved the company CA$53,000 in operational costs.
2. Take note of keywords you need to use
Just like for any other industry-specific resume, you need to make use of keywords. Take note of the keywords that are relevant in the financial industry. Plan how you can make use of those keywords in your resume. (E.g. financial reporting, Financial Planning, and Analysis (FP&A), etc.)
A good technique in determining the right keywords to use in your resume is reviewing the job description of the position you are applying for. Take note of keywords that are often repeated and vital to the role. Making use of keywords will also help your resume score high when the company you’re applying for uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter applicants.
3. Indicate tools and systems that you use
Technology is a big driver of efficiency in the finance industry. Different tasks can now be automated and finance professionals are able to do so much more with these technological advancements. Technical skills are essential in making sure that the operations of a business are running smoothly.
Having expertise in different tools and systems can be a huge factor in getting you hired. It is important that you are competent in using accounting software, IT software, Microsoft Office, etc., especially that these tools also constantly evolve through the years. Make sure to list down those tools and add them to your technical skills. (E.g. Oracle, SAP, QuickBooks, Excel, etc.)
4. Highlight your hard and soft skills
Your hard and soft skills are just as important as your technical skills. There are also certain skills you need to have in order to have a successful career in finance. Here are some finance relevant soft skills you may want to use in your resume:
- Communication
- Interpersonal
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Analysis
- Leadership
- Risk assessment
- Negotiating
- Decisiveness
- Debt and credit management
5. Emphasize your education and certifications
In the financial industry, education and certifications can make or break it for you. Certifications also increase your chance of getting hired and eventually getting a great offer. There are different companies that require a certain degree or certification for you to be considered for the position. Make sure to read these qualifications and include what applies to you.
If you are someone who has not yet completed any certification but is planning to, consider your career goals before making any decision on what certification to take. There are different certifications that are focused on different finance expertise namely: Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), and Registered Financial Planner (RFP).
Takeaway
Your resume should reflect how valuable your contributions are to your previous organizations. Having your resume screened is just the first step in getting the job you want, so dedicate time to improve and review your resume. Always remember to review the position you are applying for and take note of relevant skills you can showcase in your resume.