How do I write a resume for a finance job?

Start by selecting the appropriate resume format for you. Then, make sure your resume includes the essential keywords for the skills and tasks mentioned in the job post. Include all required sections for an effective resume such as the professional summary/objective statement, work history, hard and soft skills, education and contact information. Finally, ensure your resume is cleanly organized, without grammatical or spelling errors, and doesn’t exceed two pages.

How do you get into the finance industry?

The finance industry provides a large number of job opportunities. Anyone with the necessary skill set and educational credentials can work in the finance industry and advance their career. To obtain a sense of the work culture, students should start by interning or volunteering for entry-level positions. To find opportunities that match your educational qualifications, attend walk-in interviews, campus fairs, or conduct a thorough search on employment sites.

What exactly is the financial industry?

People and businesses use financial services provided by the financial services sector. Banks, investment houses, lenders and insurance companies are among the financial firms that make up this economic sector. This industry is dominated by large companies, although it also includes a varied spectrum of smaller businesses like cooperatives and personal advisory firms.

What are some finance careers?

Some finance careers are public accounting, investment banking, portfolio management, risk management, financial planning and commercial banking. Roles vary from professionals that prepare taxes (tax preparers), advise clients on their finances (personal bankers and advisors) or advise a business on assets (financial analyst) to handling bookkeeping (accountants) and many more.

What is the highest financial degree?

The highest finance degree you can obtain is a doctorate. While most roles ask for a bachelor’s, you can consider getting a master’s or a doctorate if you want to move up the corporate ladder into managerial roles. Another option is to get certifications to complement your undergraduate or graduate education.

Finance Resume Examples & Writing Tips

If you are interested in money management, financial services, stocks and bonds, securities and other investments, a career in finance is something you should consider. The financial sector offers an array of career alternatives that tend to be in high demand. After all, at the end of 2018, the financial services and insurance industries employed over 6.3 million people. This is in part due to the financial and banking sector being critical to the global economy.

Getting into the financial industry requires education, soft and hard skills, a passion for finances and preparation for the job hunt. In this guide, we detail what you need to do to get a job in the financial field, from looking at different role options and the preparation you’ll need to craft a competitive resume.

Let’s start by looking at three examples of how different finance professionals showcased their qualifications in their resumes.

Current trends in the finance industry

According to the Financial Services Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030, at a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%, the worldwide financial services industry is predicted to rise from $20,490.46 billion in 2020 to $22,515.17 billion in 2021. At a CAGR of 6%, the market is estimated to reach $28,529.29 billion in 2025.

Western Europe accounted for 40% of the global financial services market in 2020, making it the largest region. The second largest region, North America, accounted for 27% of the global financial services industry. In the worldwide financial services business, Africa was the smallest region.

Roles in the industry are anticipated to be more project-based (rather than based on a set number of hours worked in a specific capacity). With the adoption of automation, the industry is expected to experience a shift in skills through 2030. Mainly, technology expertise and customer service and managerial skills will be in more demand, while teller jobs, accountants and brokerage clerks may see a decline.

While a basic understanding of finance is essential, it’s even more crucial that professionals have access to substantial, forward-thinking, continuing education throughout their careers, especially as financial institutions adopt AI and automate tasks.

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Salary and employment outlook for finance jobs

A career in finance encompasses jobs and professions related to banking, accounting and many other areas. Finance professionals can find a job in practically any industry, as they help businesses evaluate their financial needs and identify opportunities that allow them to be profitable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in finance careers are expected to grow by 8% between 2020 and 2030, which totals an average of 750,800 new jobs.

Read on to know more about the salary outlook for specific job titles.

Personal finance and banking jobs

Financial analysts evaluate the fiscal, economic data of a company or entity to predict investment performances. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds and other investments to make recommendations to both individuals and businesses. Financial analysts work in banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other companies.

As the name suggests, a tax preparer prepares tax returns for submission to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for individuals and businesses alike.

Personal bankers work at bank offices and are responsible for assisting clients in completing their banking needs, such as opening checking and savings accounts, obtaining mortgage and auto loans, and investing in other bank products like CDs and money markets, among others. They can also help the customer with retirement planning.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as of Dec. 31, 2020, there were 5,001 FDIC-insured commercial banks in the United States.

Job Outlook 2020–2030

Financial Analyst

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for financial analysts is projected to grow 6% from 2020 to 2030.

Job outlook

Average hourly wage (2020)

$40.22 per hour

Tax Preparer

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is anticipated to grow by 2.9% from 2020 to 2030.

Job outlook

2.9%

Average hourly wage (2020)

$25.34 per hour

Personal Banker

From 2020 to 2030, the employment of personal bankers such as financial advisors is anticipated to grow by 5%.

Job outlook

Average hourly salary (2020)

$42.95 per hour

Source: Financial Analysts: Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Source: Tax Preparer: Occupational Employment and Wages (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Source: Personal Financial Advisors: Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Branch managers or retail banking jobs

A branch manager is in charge of coordinating all branch operations. They are responsible for hiring, onboarding and training staff. Among their many duties, branch managers oversee and manage employees and their responsibilities. They are also responsible for creating and implementing strategies to improve performance, productivity and sales.

An account manager acts as the communication link between a client and a business. They can work in various industries such as marketing, finance and advertising, among many others. Their job consists of creating and managing positive relationships with the clients and handling all aspects of the customer’s experience, like contract negotiations with new clients and new business opportunities.

Job Outlook 2020–2030

Branch Manager

From 2020 to 2030, employment of financial managers is expected to grow 17%, much faster than the national average.

Job outlook

17%

Average hourly wage (2020)

$64.51 per hour

Account Manager

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t have data specifically on account managers, the entire industry is anticipated to grow by 8% on average by 2030.

Job outlook

Average hourly wage (2020)

$18.90 per hour

Source: Financial Managers: Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Source: Account managers: PayScale

6 of the top soft skills needed for finance jobs

For a career in finance, you must possess a set of both industry and soft skills. Although each profession has its own set of skill requirements, there are several skills that you must have regardless of the position or experience level. Let’s take a look at some of the top soft skills for the finance sector.

Interpersonal skills
Finance experts must deal with clients daily. Being able to maintain healthy and professional relationships is vital in the finance world. Having strong interpersonal skills promotes trust and rapport, which can lead to keeping clients long-term.
Analytical thinking
This is crucial for finance professionals as they must analyze multiple factors simultaneously and provide insightful solutions to any issue that may arise. As a finance professional, you must solve all kinds of problems, including technical, relational, mathematical and more. With analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, you can quickly devise innovative solutions, which benefits the company and makes you a valuable asset.
Emphasis on ethical practice
Accounting isn't only about performing arithmetic and providing reports; it's also about being ethical. Deceptive accounting practices can result in harm to the company's credibility and financial stability. For example, a financial manager could abuse his position of power by inflating earnings over several years, causing the company to face severe ethical and financial concerns. This is why accounting professionals should adhere to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
Attention to detail
When working at a bank, it’s crucial that you always double-check your work. Small errors in any data you collect and input could lead to big repercussions. Being attentive to every detail entails staying focused for extended periods to catch errors before they become a problem.
Customer service
Since most finance roles are client-facing, you must excel at customer service. Tasks like answering questions cordially and helpfully, solving issues and providing excellent service can build strong customer satisfaction. This skill is also necessary when selling the bank’s financial products because it allows you to fit the service to the client’s true needs.
Ability to follow guidelines
The finance industry is wrought with policies and procedures to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness and reduce liabilities within an organization. The ability to follow guidelines is crucial to ensure the safety of the sensitive data you’ll work with and protect your customers and company.

Educational requirements for finance jobs

Aspiring financial workers must earn a degree in finance or a relevant field from an accredited university. Because this is a highly technical industry, proper training is a minimum requirement for any job in banking. Some roles, like that of an accountant, also need to be licensed to get hired.

Following are some degrees and certifications you can consider to get the training you’ll need.

Degrees
The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School offers a bachelor’s degree in finance. Their degree develops a high level of expertise in all areas of finance, including asset management, commercial and investment banking in an international context, the financial management of commercial and industrial enterprises and much more.

University of Illinois Chicago's undergraduate program in finance gives career-seekers close connections to Chicago’s financial markets, which provide world-class experiential learning opportunities. Their elective courses introduce students to various fields, including corporate financial analysis, business valuation, investments and portfolio management, banking, international finance, trading and risk management. They supplement the course materials with guest speakers from across the financial sectors.

New York University has a Bachelor in Finance that prepares students to enter the finance industry, whether in financial institutions and divisions, government or nonprofit institutions.

MIT offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in several specialties, including Management (which provides undergraduates in other majors with an understanding of the business, human and organizational dimensions of scientific and technological enterprise), Business Analytics (data analysis techniques and their application to practical business problems) and Finance (corporate finance and investments).
Certifications
Boosting your credibility requires taking exams, obtaining licenses and certifying yourself as an expert. The sort of certification you’ll need relies upon what kind of career you are seeking. For example, brokers, who purchase, buy and sell stocks and deal in financial products, need to secure a permit from FINRA.

Financial advisers, on the other hand, especially those in senior positions, require CFP accreditation. Meanwhile, the CFA exam recognizes financial analysts as knowledgeable in securities and investment vehicles. Another highly sought-after credential is the CPA, which is necessary to work in accounting or auditing. Following are more credentials you can consider getting:
- Universities and colleges: MIT MicroMasters Program in Finance is an excellent way to accelerate your career in finance or fast-track a master’s degree if you choose to further your career with graduate studies.
  
  Columbia University’s Introduction to Corporate Finance certification on edX is free, with an optional upgrade available. Two sessions are starting in August and January, and the program takes a month to complete. This course can serve as a quick way to learn key financial concepts for evaluating and valuing investment opportunities, including how to value stocks and bonds.
- For-profit companies Private companies such as Udemy and Coursera offer various comprehensive courses for finance professionals. Some of their courses and certifications are economical, and others are even free. Coursera, for example, has a free Introduction to Finance and Accounting specialization from the University of Pennsylvania that will teach you the basics of finance and accounting.

Finance resume examples by experience level

Making an effective resume starts with identifying your qualifications and abilities and choosing the best format to display them. Depending on your experience level, there’s a format that’ll help you highlight your best credentials. Let’s take a look at what they are and which one is best for your experience level:

Account Manager

No experience

The functional resume format is most appropriate for beginners, interns and students since they have practically no experience. That’s because skills are the main feature in this format, and any previous experience gets de-emphasized.
Start by analyzing the skills posted in the job ad. Select the ones you have and make sure to mention those in the resume. This requires making a tailored resume with slight changes for each job you apply to in which you incorporate the skills listed by the employer in the job listing.
To successfully use this format, organize your skills into sections that list the tasks you’ve done in bullet points under each skill. The details below each skill should answer the questions, “how did you develop the skill” or “how have you used your skill?”

Branch Manager

Entry level

If you are a recent graduate or have less than three years of experience, you are entry-level and can choose between the functional resume format and the combination resume format.

Suppose you have some relevant work experience like an internship, volunteer work or participation in student organizations that you would like to emphasize. In that case, you can do so in the combination resume format. This format gives you the space to delve into both your skills and experience.
However, if you don’t want to give your experience too much weight, you can still opt for a functional format to focus on your skill set instead.
Write a professional summary or objective statement that catches the recruiter’s attention by tailoring it to the specific job to which you’re applying. This step is important to get your resume read. Include the number of years of experience you have or your highest education, any achievements you’ve had and relevant skills.
Remember, when listing work experience and credentials, start with the most recent one and work your way backward to the oldest. If using the combination format, explain your tasks and responsibilities in detail under each job. Give specific numbers and percentages to quantify your accomplishments. Mention, for example, the percentage of any sales increases you’ve accomplished or the number of people you’ve trained.

Treasurer

Mid-level

Individuals with a steady and extensive work history of more than five years are encouraged to use the chronological resume format or the combination resume format to highlight their work history. The combination resume format helps you emphasize both job experience and skills, and the chronological format focuses on your experience over anything else.

List your work experience in multiple positions with the same employer or your career history with various companies. This helps demonstrate your professional journey as well as your competence in a variety of tasks. Under each job experience, including details of your responsibilities, including quantifiable metrics such as specific numbers or percentages wherever possible. Add the date and duration of each job as well next to your job title.
Create a distinct section for both hard and soft skills. In the combination format, this section goes first or on the margin of your resume to give it equal weight to your experience. If using a chronological resume, list the skills in bullet points after your work history.