Crafting a CV that effectively highlights your analytical abilities and attention to detail can be a daunting challenge for a finance intern. Our guide provides tailored advice and examples to ensure these crucial skills are showcased prominently, enhancing your prospects with potential employers.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche finance intern role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Structuring your finance intern CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your finance intern CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a finance intern CV
- Education history detailing relevant finance courses underlines academic preparedness.
- Work experience in finance showcases practical skills and industry exposure.
- Finance-related projects and case studies highlight analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Technical skills section listing finance software and tools proficiency is crucial for efficiency.
- Relevant certifications and achievements demonstrate commitment to the finance field.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight any relevant coursework or projects, such as financial modeling, econometrics, or investment analysis, as this demonstrates a strong foundational knowledge pertinent to a finance intern role.
- Include any experience with financial software and tools like Bloomberg Terminal, Excel (especially advanced functions like VLOOKUP, pivot tables), or any programming skills like Python or R, to show you're well-equipped for technical tasks.
- Quantify achievements in previous roles or academic experiences, such as managing a student investment fund or improving a process that saved time or money, to provide tangible evidence of your financial acumen.
- Showcase your understanding of financial markets through involvement in investment clubs, trading simulations, or contributions to financial blogs or student publications, which can set you apart as an engaged and passionate finance candidate.
- Emphasize soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication by mentioning group projects, leadership positions in societies, or any occasions where you successfully presented complex financial concepts to non-expert audiences.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning finance intern CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for finance intern:
- Finance Intern | Focus on Investment Analysis | CFA Level I Candidate | 1 Year Experience
- Aspiring Financial Analyst | Specialising in Corporate Finance | Advanced Excel Skills | 6-Month Internship
- Finance Intern | Interest in Financial Modelling | Pursuing ACCA | Data Analysis Enthusiast
- Junior Financial Assistant | Expertise in Risk Management | Currently Studying for CPA | 2 Years Part-Time
- Research Analyst Intern | Equities and Market Analysis | MSc Finance Student | 1 Year Research Experience
- Finance Trainee | Focused on Taxation Principles | AAT Qualified | 18-Month Apprenticeship
Your finance intern CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
Finance intern candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you finance intern CV select between:
- A summary - to show how a brief and impactful summary of your main career achievements.
- An objective - to show how your career goals, dreams, and ambitions will benefit the organisation.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a finance intern job:
CV objectives for a finance intern job:
- To leverage my robust analytical skills and comprehensive understanding of financial modeling and data analysis in contributing effectively to the finance team of an esteemed New York-based investment bank.
- Aiming to apply my dedication and proven track record in high-level coursework and simulations at a leading Chicago financial firm, enhancing my experience in investment strategies and market analysis.
- To utilize my proficiency in advanced excel functions and my passion for accounting to support the financial planning and analysis department in a progressive London investment company.
- Seeking an opportunity to bring my commitment and keen insight into financial trends to the treasury team of a globally renowned San Francisco tech firm, fostering hands-on experience with corporate finance strategies.
- Eager to deploy my quantitative research abilities and familiarity with statistical software within a dynamic Berlin-based financial institution, to aid in the interpretation of complex financial data.
- Ambitious finance student with a flair for statistical analysis looking to contribute to the asset management strategies of an internationally recognized Tokyo financial consultancy.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your finance intern CV:
Financial Analysis
Financial Modelling
Accounting Principles
Microsoft Excel
Data Analysis
Budgeting
Financial Reporting
Economics
Quantitative Analysis
Statistical Software
Attention to Detail
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Communication
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Adaptability
Organisational Skills
Initiative
Ethical Judgement
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Further professional qualifications for your finance intern CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your finance intern CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your finance intern CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
