20+ Investment Banking Resume Templates, Examples, and Writing Tips (Latest Updates)

The investment banking industry is one of the most complex and challenging jobs in the financial sector. As part of a universal or commercial banking division, investment bankers employed by banks are responsible for helping clients understand the current investment climate in order to raise capital. 

Before starting to write your investment banking resume, make sure to read Cake's complete guide on how to make it stand out. We also provided an example of an investment banker's resume and template.

What is the role of investment bankers?

Understanding investment can be complex for the average person. Investment banking jobs primarily involve providing support for companies seeking to raise capital. This includes activities such as mergers and acquisitions, financial advisory services, underwriting, and managing the initial public offering (IPO) process. Read more about the role of investment bankers, their roles, salary and required skills.

When writing an investment banking resume, understanding the job responsibilities is an absolute must. This advice is especially important for entry-level candidates, as the extent of your knowledge about the job you are applying for will actually be reflected in your resume.

Guidelines for Writing a Resume for Investment Bankers

Personal Information

The first thing to fill out when creating an investment banking resume is personal information. There are limits to what you can and can't include.

In recent months, there have been cases of recruiters being caught stealing candidate data and using it to defraud candidates. In the digital age, personal information is the new gold that must be carefully guarded.

There are a few caveats you need to keep in mind when creating your investment banking resume, which are:

Resume Summary

An investment banking resume needs a summary, a concise statement that summarizes the entire content of your application. It should be only three to four sentences and need to summarize your background, work accomplishments, and other important information. 

The resume summary is the very first part that recruiters read. If the summary is not strong, the chances of your investment banking resume being read in its entirety are slim.

You can start by listing your skills, then your measurable accomplishments and important information. After that, organize the information as densely as possible but still clearly. You can try stringing words together in a scrapbook or Microsoft Word.

Read your sentences aloud. This method can increase your sensitivity to whether or not your summary is good enough. The next step is to ask someone else to read it for you. Then ask for feedback and suggestions for improvement. 

Here are some resume summary examples that can be on an investment banking resume:

Career Objectives

New graduates sometimes find it difficult to distinguish between career goals and career objectives. They are both at the top of the resume if you are writing an investment banking analyst resume.

However, the summary of investment banking resume is used for professionals who have at least two years of experience. Career objectives are used by fresh graduates or job seekers who are changing careers.

Career objectives written in an investment banking resume contain your future goals. For example, you are applying for a job because you want to use your technical skills in banking. 

Fresh graduates with no work experience can include information about mastering skills critical to investment banking or non-technical skills that can help them communicate with clients.

Work Experience

This time we are going to focus on the most important part of an investment banking resume: work experience. Here are some tips on how to make your work experience section stand out:

1) Quantify your accomplishments

The mistake many job seekers make is not being able to explain how they contributed to the company. Contribution is not just a list of responsibilities. 

Hiring managers understand the day-to-day tasks you perform more. Contributions that are referred to here are accomplishments that can be easily measured.

Example: "Prepared financial analysis for more than 10 clients." This descriptive sentence doesn't explain what impact you had on the client. 

What if we changed it to: "Prepared financial analysis with 100% accuracy for more than 10 clients, successfully increasing their satisfaction rating to 99%.

The second sentence is more powerful in explaining the impact of financial analysis jobs on clients. To build credibility and coverage, try to include numbers, percentages, and financial data as much as possible.

2) Use action verbs and bullet points

Action verbs are words that show the process of the work you do. Action verbs are used in investment banking resumes to emphasize your role in the previous company. Some of the action verbs you can use are:

Meanwhile, bullet points make your resume more organized and concise. The purpose of using bullet points is to make your investment banking resume easier to read.

Skills

Skills can be divided into two categories: technical skills and non-technical skills. The list of skills in an investment banking resume is what differentiates you from other candidates.

Technical skills are the specialization you have in certain tools. While non-technical skills are your interpersonal skills when communicating with others.

Here are some of the most important skills you must have if you want to become an investment banker:

• Hardworking and Disciplined: Being an investment banker requires dedication and the ability to persevere. Investment banking has an intense work culture with long hours. This means that if you can't be disciplined and hardworking, you will be left behind and eliminated by your colleagues. Forging these two traits is not easy, so before you send your resume for an investment banker position, you need to understand the risks of working in banking.
• Intellect: An investment banker works like a machine because you have to calculate, analyze, research, and so on at the same time. According to Investopedia, the intellect of an investment banker is a core competency that must be possessed. Companies also need employees who maintain intellectual curiosity. This habit can accelerate one's understanding of the job and generate creative and smart ideas.
• Expert in Numbers: Financial reports, of course, contain numbers. Investment bankers who are numeracy experts automatically train their brains to think systematically and logically. When a problem arises, a trained investment banker can do accurate financial analysis and estimate what steps to take, what options are available, what risks are involved, and more.
• Meticulous: The end result of investment banking is to advise companies on the direction of their business. Inaccuracy in reading reports will have fatal consequences. An investment banker may miscalculate the price of a stock, resulting in a loss instead of a profit.
• Leadership and Client Relations Skills: It is naive to expect clients to have the same characteristics. Sometimes we meet clients who are easy to deal with, but there are also times when we have to deal with annoying clients. The ability to build a good relationship also means the ability to adapt to the characteristics of the client. It's time for you to showcase your leadership skills and client relationship-building experience as an investment banker. As well as the ability to communicate high-level financial strategies and concepts with executives.
• Open-minded: Investment banking is a broad job. Every day there is something new to learn. An open mind can lead to a deeper understanding of the profession, the opportunities it offers, and the paths to further development. 

Education History

Education information is especially important for recent graduates submitting investment banking resumes. For those who already have work experience, you can also include this information, although the format will be different than for entry-level positions.

• List your education chronologically, starting with your most recent education. Include details such as the name and location of the university and the dates of attendance.
• Include your GPA if it's above 3. If it's below, it's best not to include it.
• For recent graduates, place this section under resume objectives. That way, recruiters can easily see your affiliations.

Other Information

Languages skills

The use of English in today's working world is commonplace. The opening up of work-from-home and work-from-anywhere opportunities allows you to work in overseas companies without leaving your hometown.

In investment banking, the clients you meet can be diverse. Mastering a foreign language other than English can attract more clients from around the world. This is a very beneficial move from a business perspective.

Mandarin, Japanese, German, French, and Spanish are being studied. It seems to have something to do with the economic level of the country. Aside from being a banker, you can also find opportunities to become a translator for clients.

Certification

For an investment banker, certification is a sign that his or her technical expertise is recognized by a trusted institution. It also enhances the banker's credibility and reputation.

Some countries even prohibit an investment banker from practicing without certain certifications or licenses. In the United States, SIE and FINRA licenses are mandatory for bankers.

CFA and FRM are professional certifications that signify that the banker has technical expertise and can apply it appropriately.

These certifications and licenses also open up more opportunities for a banker. This means that the possibility of holding the highest position, that of managing director, is increasingly open.

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA)
• Chartered Institute Of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Certified International Project Manager (CIPM)
• International Budget Partnership (IBP)
• Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
• Series 7 License
• Series 63 License
• Series 65 License
• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE)

Tips for Writing Winning Investment Banking Resumes

Have you done your research?

Research is a critical asset when building an investment banking resume. Job postings do not provide all the information about a company. In fact, a company's work culture may not be the right fit for you.

There are several benefits to doing your research:

• You will know what kind of company you are applying to. This includes an overview of the work environment, the typical base salary offered, the employment contract, the career path, and the benefits offered.
• The research process will help you feel more confident. Hiring managers typically test how well you've researched their company. Your answers will show how enthusiastic you are about joining their team.
• Job descriptions show only a portion of the work you will be doing. Once you've explored the company's social media, you can at least get an idea of the additional work your employer will assign to you.
• Research will help you identify which aspects of your resume you need to strengthen. For example, you can include jargon or even specific terms that are commonly used in the company.
• Use your research to determine which skills need to be emphasized to meet the requirements.

You can use the company's official social media or ask for testimonials from former employees through LinkedIn. For comparison purposes, you can also look at competing companies' social media.

Do you know the difference between a resume and a CV?

CVs and resumes are often interchangeable in countries such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, some European countries, Australia, and some Asian countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. However, they serve very different purposes.

A CV is a summary of all your professional activities, including your educational history, work experience, internship experience, organizational experience, and a list of skills.

CVs can be up to 10 pages long (more if needed) and are intended for academic purposes, such as applying to be a researcher or lecturer, getting a scholarship, or seeking research funding.

In the United States, where the two are strictly separated, when recruiters ask for a CV, they expect a comprehensive overview.

But if you're applying to a company in Southeast Asia, for example, you might want to confirm the format first before sending it.

A resume, on the other hand, is a condensed version. The length of a resume is no more than 3 pages. It includes all of your work experience relevant to the position you are applying for.

If you are sending an Investment Banking Analyst resume, it would be more sustainable if it contains activities that you have done related to the world of banking and investment.

For example, a candidate with more than 10 years of experience may omit some sections of the investment banking resume. Examples of sections that are not relevant for senior-level candidates with long tenure are education history and skills list.

What type of resume will you use?

Did you know that there are three types of resume formats? By choosing the correct investment banker resume format, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers. Often, the most appropriate resume type is chronological. Here's the full explanation of each type:

• Chronological Resume: This resume lists all information chronologically, with the most recent experience at the top. Recruiters can easily see whether the candidate's recent activities are relevant to the company's needs. In addition to investment banking resumes, the chronological format works well for job seekers with a linear work history, such as from banking analyst to banking associate to vice president.
• Functional resume: Are you a recent graduate struggling to put together an investment banking resume? If so, you should know that the functional resume format is best suited for recent graduates. In a functional resume, instead of highlighting work experience, candidates can replace it with promoting their hard and soft skills. 
• Combination Resume: This is the least appropriate format for an investment banking resume. Combination resumes are often used by freelancers and job hoppers who have a variety of work experience. Unfortunately, an investment banking resume is a rather strict job when it comes to background requirements for candidates. As a result, it is difficult for freelancers to break into this industry unless they are enrolled in a specialized investment banking program.

How do you place keywords in your investment banking resume?

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to conduct the initial screening of candidates. The way it works is that the hiring manager enters keywords according to the qualifications needed by the company. These keywords are placed in the cover letter, resume summary, resume objective, work experience, and even letters of recommendation, if any.

For example, the company needs an analyst whose primary skill is creating financial models. The ATS engine will scan which resumes contain the word financial model.

The easiest way to find the right keywords is to understand the job description and requirements in the job posting. Companies usually emphasize the type of candidate they are looking for.

For clarity, check out the sample job description below:

Keywords you can find are pitch books, presentation, financial models, valuation, analysis, investment banking intern, TMT, and consumer products.

Once the keywords are in place, you still have a job to do.

You see, each company has different candidate requirements, even if the job is the same. Company A and Company B are both looking for banking analysts, but their requirements may be different.

Using keywords in an ATS requires you to tailor each investment banking resume you create to the job description of each job. This will increase your chances of getting through to the interview stage.

Investment Banking Resume Templates and Examples

Investment banking resume template (entry-level)

Investment banking resume template (mid-level)

💡 Pro Tips: Use a strong summary statement to highlight achievements and experience. Quantify achievements wherever possible, using action verbs like “modeled,” “analyzed,” and “acquired.”

Investment banking resume template (senior-level)

💡 Pro Tips: Highlight relevant skills and experience using keywords like “investment banking,” “financial modeling,” and “developing investment strategies.” Use a skills section or weave skills into the experience section to showcase expertise.

Investment Banking Cover Letter Example

When applying for jobs, investment banker resumes aren't enough to prove your professional endeavors. A resume consisting of 2 to 3 pages cannot contain all the information about you; for example, you cannot explain the gap in your employment period in your resume. The only way to do this is to include it in a cover letter, or you'll have to wait until the interview to let the hiring managers know about these details.

We understand if you are reluctant to write a cover letter assuming that no hiring manager will read it. Unfortunately, hiring managers spend an average of only a few seconds reading a candidate's cover letter.

However, Forbes found that 72% of hiring managers expect candidates to write cover letters. In fact, cover letters cause 77% of hiring managers to read your investment banking resume in detail.

So why spend time guessing that your cover letter won't be read? Cause the truth is, you don't know. Who knows, your cover letter could be the lucky star that lands you that investment banking job!

A good cover letter is a well-written cover letter. Cake knows that writing from scratch is hard work, so we're here to help you understand the important parts of a cover letter.

1) Who are you?

In any document you send to apply for a job, you should always include information about yourself. This information, written in the upper left corner, includes:

• Your full name.
• The city where you live
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• LinkedIn Account
• Portfolio account

To make it easy for recruiters to find you, don't forget to include a link for each of these.

2) When did you write this letter?

The purpose of including a date in a cover letter is to add a personal touch. The date also helps recruiters determine when you sent the application.

3) To whom are you sending this letter?

In addition to the date, including the hiring manager's name can maximize your cover letter's potential for personalization. You can include the hiring manager's name, position, and office location (just as you would if you were writing a postcard).

4) Greet the recipient appropriately

This time, greet your hiring managers to show your appreciation. It would be even better if you knew his or her name. You can use the format [Dear Ms./Mr. Insert Name]. But if you don't have that information, just use "Dear Hiring Manager”.

5) What is your opening sentence?

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the hiring manager only has a few seconds to read. That means you only have 3-4 sentences to explain your academic achievements, your contributions to your previous company, and your skills. To make it more interesting, always quantify your information!

6) What are your responsibilities?

Do you still need to explain your job description and any awards you received from your previous job? The next paragraph can be your place to write a detailed explanation!

7) Why are you applying?

Yes, employers really want to know what made you decide to apply. This part will be easy if you've done some research about the place you're applying to. Admiration for the company's work system, belief in the company's supportive work environment, or personal memories make great writing material.

8) Do you have any additional information?

You can skip this section if you don't have anything important to say. But if you have a letter of recommendation, for example, and want to highlight it, this is your chance to make that clear.

9) Close the letter nicely.

We've come to an end. It's time to end the letter with enthusiasm. Say that you appreciate their consideration of your cover letter and investment banker resume. Also, mention that you are available to discuss your skills and experience. 

Now that you've known how to write an impressive cover letter let's look at this investment banking cover letter example:

Key Takeaways

1. Investment banking provides assistance with merger and acquisition decisions, initial public offerings (IPOs), financial advice, financial analysis, and other investment-related decisions. Clients range from large corporations to governments.
2. A good investment banking resume should highlight relevant skills that can be practiced on the job. 
3. When writing an investment banking resume, keywords, quantified achievements, and cover letters should not be forgotten.

Hopefully, this article on investment banking resumes will help you get a job. If you are a beginner, always make sure there is no misinformation or typos when writing an investment banking analyst resume.

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