Investment Banker CV Examples & UK Templates

A successful investment banker knows the value of a strong and varied portfolio. When it comes to job seeking, the best way to show the value of your own professional assets — such as your skills and experience — is with a well-written CV.  

But with the number of investment banking businesses increasing year on year, you’ll need to make sure your investment banker CV is topnotch to secure the best roles. Time is money, so we understand that you want to find the most efficient way to communicate your value as an investment banker. 

That’s where we can help. Resume.io is a powerful resource for job seekers, providing CV guides and CV examples for over 100 professions. We know a thing or two about presenting your professional profile in the best light possible. In fact, we’ve helped millions of job seekers to do just that. This CV guide, along with the corresponding CV example will cover the following topics:

• What does an investment banker do?
• How to write an investment banker CV (tips and tricks)
• The best format for an investment banker CV
• Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional CV layout and design hints.

What does an investment banker do?

As an investment banker, an impressive salary could be on the table in return for some of your impressive number crunching. Your day-to-day activities depend on whether you choose to go into operational or corporate investment banking. For either role, a common entry-level stepping stone is to enter the profession as an investment analyst.

If you select an operations investment banking career path, excellent numerical and analytical skills are a must. You ensure that business is conducted efficiently and liaise with clients. You could even be involved in developing new systems to keep things efficient and stream line profitability. 

On the other hand, interpersonal skills are crucial for a corporate investment banker. In this role you need to be skilled in negotiation. After all, you’re the go-to person to provide strategic advice to businesses, organisations and even governments to help them achieve their financial goals.

How to write an investment banker CV

Before you commit pen to paper on your investment banker CV, you should understand what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Choosing the best CV format for an investment banker 

The tried-and-true reverse chronological format is typically best suited for an investment banker. This CV format begins with your most recent work experience and education, then works backward in time. This allows recruiters to quickly track your career progression and showcase your most recent and relevant experiences first. 

The reverse chronological CV format also offers a clear and concise overview of your qualifications. However, there are situations in which alternative formats, such as the functional or hybrid formats, might be considered. 

For instance, if you're changing careers or have gaps in your work history. A functional CV format focuses on your skills and accomplishments, allowing you to downplay the chronological order. A hybrid format combines elements of the functional and chronological formats, making it ideal for those with a strong skill set and a consistent work history such as those changing career paths.

CV summary example

Nothing says “strategic” like a well-written CV summary. Positioned at the top of your CV, your CV summary is your chance to make a powerful first impression. Craft three to four sentences that provide a snapshot into your portfolio of qualifications, skills, and aspirations making you suited for this particular job. 

Check out the sample CV content below to see how it’s done. Focus on highlighting your core strengths that directly resonate with the job's prerequisites. This could include financial analysis, risk management, or quantitative acumen. This personalised touch not only sets you apart but also communicates your genuine interest and value to your new potential employer. 

Employment history sample

The employment history section of your investment banker CV is probably the most important part of your job application. This is particularly true when you choose the reverse chronological format. It’s the backbone of your professional journey. Showcase each previous job with a subheading including the job title, employer name, dates of employment, and location. 

Underneath each subheading, you should highlight your most relevant accomplishments in the role through succinct bullet points. You can choose to highlight key accomplishments such as successful financial deals, the management of high-value portfolios, and your contributions to revenue growth. 

Use metrics whenever possible, such as the percentage increase in assets under management or the value of deals closed. This quantifiable data is a great way of measuring your impact and aligns with the results-driven environment you’ll be in as an investment banker. 

The investment banker CV sample content in this guide will help you to draft the most compelling bullet points to include in the employment history section of your investment banker CV. However, this section is particularly important to adapt depending on the job you want. 

CV skills example

You’re sure to have plenty of skills, attributes, and proficiencies to communicate to the hiring manager. However, you should be selective about which skills to add to the relevant section of your investment banker CV. Prioritise skills asked for in the job description that you haven’t yet highlighted elsewhere in your CV. 

Your skills section should be a list of several of your most pertinent skills in order of importance. You can understand which skills are most important for the job by reading the job description carefully. This is the section where you can reiterate the top skills you possess or include any that you haven’t managed to mention yet throughout the rest of your CV.

Investment bankers often find it important to highlight their quantitative and analytical skills, financial modelling expertise, and proficiency in financial software. However, don’t forget to diversify your skill portfolio. Strong communication and teamwork skills are also valuable. 

Given the need to collaborate with colleagues and clients effectively, you shouldn’t underestimate the value of your soft skills. Traits like leadership, adaptability, and resilience are vital for a top investment banker. 

Investment banker sales CV education example

In traditional industries such as finance, your education can speak volumes. So, regardless of where you studied, it’s important to structure your education section in the correct way. List your qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include the name of your qualification and educational institution, the location, and dates of attendance. 

For financial professionals such as investment bankers, it's especially important to stress any relevant certifications. If you have enough certifications and training gained outside of university, you could give them their own dedicated section. 

CV layout and design

To make sure that your investment banker profile is a truly attractive value proposition, your CV's layout and design should match the calibre of your skills and experience. A clean, professional format conveys your professionality and trustworthiness. These are both crucial traits in the financial sector.

Choose a simple and conservative font and colour scheme. You want your potential employer to know from a quick glance at your CV example that you’re the investment banker for the job! Following these design guidelines are a sure shortcut to clear visual communication.

If polishing the visual layout of documents is not your forte, you can consider using one of our field-tested CV templates. That way you can pass on time spent carrying out frustrating formatting tasks.

Key takeaways for an investment banker CV

1. Tailor your investment banker CV to the job you want to land. The hiring manager and ATS will thank you!
2. Concise bullet points in your employment history section are the key to communicating your most relevant accomplishments.
3. Look for opportunities to highlight your relevant skills throughout your CV as well as in the skills section.
4. Visual impressions count, too. Don’t cut corners when it comes to a professional CV layout.