September 26, 2024
What do you need for every application? That's right, a good CV. But what makes a good CV?
The CV is the first impression you can make on a company. In investment banking, a highly competitive and demanding industry, it is therefore of great importance to make the best possible first impression. Most banks and financial institutions are looking for qualified candidates who have not only completed a successful academic career, but also have relevant professional experience and specific skills.
So what does a promising CV include?
In investment banking in particular, recruiters often receive several hundred applications and must be able to quickly gain an overview of the applicant. On average, recruiters only need 7 seconds to form an impression of the applicant. Structure and clarity are therefore an absolute must for every CV. The following information should therefore be quickly apparent:
Relevant work experience is crucial in investment banking, as it shows the potential new employer that you are interested and capable. Even short internships in investment banks, private equity firms or auditing companies should be mentioned, as they prove that you have already had initial experience of the processes within the industry.
When formulating your professional experience, it is important not only to name the departments in which you have worked or the tasks, but also to emphasize specific successes. Qualifiable successes give the new company the impression that you have made a measurable contribution. Possible formulations here would be
High academic achievements are not everything that counts, but they still play a major role in investment banking. A very good degree in economics, finance or engineering is often a basic requirement for a career in the industry. A successful academic career can show the company that you have analytical thinking and stamina. Completing relevant courses such as corporate finance, financial modeling or business law may also be worth mentioning.
Additional qualifications, such as industry-specific certificates, are also a sign to the employer that the candidate already has in-depth knowledge of the financial sector and that they are willing to constantly work on their further training.
In a highly dynamic environment, not only strong analytical skills are required, but also soft skills such as the ability to work in a team, strong communication skills and resilience. You can list team projects and experience as a manager as evidence of soft skills on your CV.
Semesters abroad or internships in other countries can also be mentioned here. They not only signify practical experience, but also foreign language skills and the ability to adapt and deal with different people.
Technical know-how and financial skills should also be emphasized in the CV. Knowledge of common Office programs and special financial software tools is essential. In addition, skills in financial modeling, valuation techniques and handling large data sets are important to be successful in this industry.
It is not only the content that is important, but also the clear and error-free wording. Care and accuracy are essential in investment banking and a CV that is littered with errors gives the impression that the applicant does not work carefully. Long sentences should also be avoided in favor of short and concise wording. This way, the most important information is conveyed clearly and concisely.
It is usually worth adapting the CV to the respective position. This does not mean that a new CV has to be written for every application, but that the focus should simply be placed on different skills and experience for different positions. Small adjustments in the wording make the CV look tailored to the job, which can be seen as positive by recruiters.
The perfect investment banking CV combines a clear structure, relevant work experience, outstanding academic achievements, technical and interpersonal skills, and flawless and concise wording. In such a competitive industry, the CV can make the difference between the success or failure of an application. It is therefore worth investing a great deal of care and attention in the preparation of the document.
