Finance Resume Example—Template and Writing Guide

Think of your resume as if it was an Excel spreadsheet. You don't want it to be a mess. Each word you put on your finance resume is potentially worth thousands of dollars. So land your dream job, and don't lose that cash flow! 

Learn to write a killer resume for finance that will make you soar in projected value.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• A finance resume sample that gets jobs.
• How to ace your finance job description on a resume.
• How to write a resume for finance that gets the interview.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a finance job.

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Looking for different finance resume guides? Check out our other articles:

• Accounting Manager Resume
• Accounting Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Controller Resume
• Data Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume
• Financial Advisor Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Senior Accountant Resume
• Tax Account Resume

Finance Resume Template

Some finance specialists provide financial advice and risk assessment, while others serve as business model analysts. Some directly interact with their clients’ portfolios, developing profitable trading strategies. And your finance resume aims to show that expertise in the vast field of finances.

So let's show the recruiters a finance resume they won't ignore:

1. Choose the Best Finance Resume Format

Choosing the wrong resume format is like applying the wrong financial analysis method. Yes, you will get a result. But a bad one. Don't let that happen. Make your resume format readable with a few steps:

• Use the reverse-chronological format for the resume. This way, you show your most impressive stuff first. And recruiters will quickly find what they’ve been looking for.
• Choose a readable resume font and size. For example, Calibri 10–12pt.
• Set your resume margins to 1-inch. Have large, readable titles, and leave some white space not to clutter the page.
• Put relevant info in the header of your resume. Name, phone number, email address, and your LinkedIn page.
• Make room for relevant resume sections: resume summary/objective, work experience, skills, and education.
• Include some resume extras to make yourself stand out. Certifications and publications are very beneficial to have. If you have relevant hobbies, include them, especially if you don't have extensive experience in finance.
• Save your resume in a PDF format when you’re done, unless the job offer says otherwise.

2. Write an Eye-Catching Finance Resume Objective or Summary

So, how do you immediately catch the recruiter's attention? With a resume summary that shows your value! Your employers must see you know your yields and liquidities.

To create one, use:

1. One adjective (professional, reliable, analytical)
2. Job title (Financial Specialist)
3. Years of experience (6+, 7+)
4. How you'll help (enhance profitability at Daybreak LLC)
5. Most significant achievements (Saved in aggregate tens of billions of dollars, Managed projects and portfolios with budgets of up to $200M+)

These finance resume examples show you exactly why:

Finance Resume Summary—Sample

Highly professional senior financial specialist with 7+ years of experience in the field. Managed projects and portfolios with budgets of up to $200M+. Performed detailed financial analysis for over 80 companies throughout my career. Saved in aggregate tens of billions of dollars for my clients. Seeking to use proven skills to enhance profitability at Daybreak LLC.

Senior financial specialist with over 7 years of experience. Providing high-level portfolio management, responsible for high-budget projects. Seeking to use my experience to run your company's finances efficiently. Graduated with a Master of Finance degree from UC Irvine.

The difference is clear-cut!

That first financial specialist is for sure the one worth investing in. His highlighted stats-backed achievements leave little room for doubt.

But what if you're starting out in finance? Don't worry! Even if you don't have years of experience, you still have your skills and achievements. So use them in your resume objective.

Entry-Level Finance Resume Objective—Sample

Organized financial specialist skilled in Excel, Statista, and Tableau. A member of the university finance club, well accustomed to FinTech, Asset Management, and M&A subjects. Created weekly articles on my finance blog with 700+ newsletter subscribers.

Inexperienced financial specialist with a deep love for anything finance, who enjoys reading books and investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies.

The first candidate is clearly more dedicated. Not only do they show some skills right off the bat, but they also prove their commitment by running a blog. They have a great deal to offer.

Remember that finance summary/objective is kind of like a book abstract. It’s easier to write it after you’re finished with the rest of your resume. So fill this section last, once you’re done with other resume sections.

3. Add the Best Finance Job Description

The Business & Finance field is full of different specialties. And with its median annual wage in May 2021 being over $75,000, you want to maximize your chances of landing that next job in finance.

Increase your Return-on-Resume with these guidelines:

1. Read and analyze the job offer.
2. List out the relevant skills and duties from it.
3. Find a couple you can prove represent your own skills.
4. Write detailed resume bullets that clearly show your abilities.

These financial specialist resume examples show you how:

Finance Resume Sample—Job Description

Senior Financial Specialist

Pacific Bay Financial Corporation, San Francisco, CA

June 2020–Present

• Created and implemented a financial planning method that saved my client over $220M in direct costs annually.
• Trained a new team of financial specialists, reducing the company's turnover rate by 50%.
• Incorporated a new expense management procedure that generated $8M monthly savings across all the company departments.
• Generated financial reports for the State of California.
• Managed a significant company's tax filings, clearing 71% of outstanding tax liabilities.

San Francisco, CA, Pacific Bay Financial Corporation

Senior Financial Specialist

June 2020–Present

• Implemented a cost-saving financial planning method.
• Trained a new team of financial specialists.
• Applied company-wide expense management procedures.
• Worked with the State of California.
• Managed company's tax filings.

Candidate #1 is a surefire investment.

Not only do they show skills wanted by the employer, but they also supplement the resume with professional achievements. And employers love that. But what if you don't have much resume work experience?

Don't worry! You can also make your internships or junior positions into a compelling sales pitch. Just use this junior finance position as an example:

Entry-Level Finance Resume Job Description

Junior Financial Specialist

GROW Finance, Irvine, CA

February 2015–September 2016

• Managed the company's database system of 100+ clients.
• Performed financial analysis for clients, increasing the client company's performance by up to 12%.
• Conducted and presented detailed cash flow analysis.

See? You may not have much professional experience that can be backed with impressive million-dollar numbers. But you still show what you did. And that you did it well.

Now that you know how to write your finance job description let's move on to the next step.

4. Pick the Best Finance Resume Skills

Just so we're on the same page, don't copy-paste skill lists from the internet. But these lists can help you pick some of the best skills for a resume.

So use this list for reference and inspiration, not blind copying:

Finance Resume Skills

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Mathematics
• Business Knowledge
• Critical Thinking
• Computer Skills
• Data Visualization
• Financial Law
• Leadership Skills
• Time Management
• Financial Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Financial Reporting
• Trend Analysis
• Systems Integration
• Database Management
• Financial Planning
• Tax Laws
• Budgeting
• Revenue Projections
• Liquidity Analysis
• Business Valuation
• Portfolio Management
• Project Management

But remember to choose only the most critical skills. Keep the length of your resume in mind. You want to have a two-page resume at most.

If you're proficient in using industry-standard software, include it as a skill, just like you add Excel or Access to your list.

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5. Turn Your Education Section Into a Reason to Hire You

Your financial education matters. Graduating from a business university is, in many cases, necessary to land a job in finance. But you can make the resume education section stand out even more!

Here's how:

Finance Resume Education—Example

Master of Finance

UC Irvine, Merage School of Business, CA

September 2013–July 2015

• Was a member of the University Finance Club.
• Took extracurricular Data Analytics courses.
• Had a 3.8 GPA score.

And that's how you show you didn't just attend the university. You've been finance-oriented from the start! And you're serious about it.

Remember that listing relevant courses and academic achievements is not necessary for senior positions, but it helps when you're inexperienced.

6. Finish Your Finance Resume With Valuable Extra Sections

This is where you add that extra spin to your finance resume by creating a well-diversified portfolio of other achievements. You may be wondering what to include in a resume extra section?

This part is for all the miscellaneous sections of your finance resume. You can spice up your resume by showcasing won awards, received certifications, publications, volunteer work, language proficiency, and memberships. A sprinkle of these bonus personal achievements can make your finance resume stand out from the crowd.

Here's how:

Additional Sections on a Finance Resume—Example

Certifications

• Certification in Finance & Quantitative Modeling for Analysts, University of Pennsylvania, 2019
• Financial Reporting Certificate, University of Illinois, 2016
• Certified Financial Planner, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, 2015

Publications

• "Do Investors Value Sustainability?" Wall Street Journal, May 2018
• "The Old Ways of Conducting Business Are Dead" The Economist, January 2021

Additional Activities

• Member, CFA Institute
• Advisory Board Member, AAFM

Additional Activities

• Frequently attend financial conferences
• Published an article featured in Forbes magazine
• CrossFit

That first example is definitely in the green.

Sometimes you may want to use different certification placements on your resume, especially if you have some key certificates to show. If that happens, either showcase something else in the end, or omit this section.

To significantly increase your chances of landing a job interview, don't forget to attach a finance cover letter. Even though most employers don't read them, many won't acknowledge your financial resume without it.

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Key Points

For a finance resume that gets noticed:

• Use the finance resume template up top. Your rate of interviews will be sky-high.
• Focus on the job description section. Show your employer you're made for the job.
• Pick the right finance skills. Check what your employer wants, and show them what you have.
• Write a finance cover letter. Talk about your most outstanding achievements to make the hiring manager want you instantly.

Got questions on how to write an excellent resume for finance jobs? Not sure how to show finance on a resume? Leave a comment. We'll be happy to reply.

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