I’m currently a second-year student looking to break into investment banking or equity research down the road. I would really value any kind of feedback you can give me on my resume. Whether it’s about the actual content I’ve included, how I’ve formatted everything, or if there are glaring issues that need immediate attention - I’m open to all constructive criticism. I know these fields are super competitive so I want to make sure I’m putting my best foot forward. Any insights from people who have experience in finance or have successfully landed similar roles would be incredibly helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to look at this and share your thoughts.
can’t really help without seeing your actual CV. but here’s what everyone’s missing - tailor it for each role. IB and equity research want different things even tho they look similar. for IB, highlight deal experience, financial modeling, anything showing you handle pressure. research roles? focus on analysis, writing skills, industry knowledge. also remember - networking trumps a perfect resume every time.
Hey! Everyone covered the technical stuff well, but your CV should show personality too. Include personal projects or trading simulations that prove you’re genuinely passionate about markets. You’ve got this!
I can’t view your CV, but here are some essential formatting tips that can make a difference. Recruiters in investment banking and equity research typically spend only 10-15 seconds scanning resumes, so visual hierarchy is crucial. Ensure your formatting is consistent, with clear section breaks, and make your contact information prominent. Avoid weak, passive language; use strong action verbs like ‘analyzed,’ ‘executed,’ or ‘developed.’ Finance firms value precision, so replace vague statements with specific achievements, including numbers whenever possible. Lastly, ensure your PDF displays correctly across different viewers, as many firms utilize automated systems that can mishandle poorly formatted documents.
Can’t see your CV, but here’s what actually separates successful candidates from everyone else in these competitive fields. Skip the usual advice about grades and internships - everyone knows that stuff. Instead, put numbers on everything you can. Banks and research firms live and breathe data, so showing measurable results from leadership roles, projects, or even part-time jobs makes you stand out immediately. Think about how your CV tells a story. Each line should show you’ve got analytical skills, pay attention to details, and actually care about financial markets. Most second-years mess up by ignoring relevant coursework or forgetting to mention investment club work and independent market analysis. That stuff becomes gold during interviews - it proves you’re genuinely interested, not just chasing prestige.
Can’t help much without seeing your CV, but here’s what most second years mess up - they spend half the page talking about irrelevant jobs while barely mentioning anything finance-related. Cut the buzzword BS like ‘synergistic’ and ‘holistic’ - recruiters hate that stuff. Show you actually get what the job involves, not just that you want the paycheck. And if your GPA’s trash, either stick it at the bottom or leave it off completely.