Goldman Sachs CV Examples & UK Templates

Established more than 150 years ago, Goldman Sachs is one of the most well-known global financial institutions. The firm now employs nearly 40,000 people worldwide from analysts and associates to investment bankers. However, if you want to land a position with this esteemed institute, you need to impress the hiring manager. To do that, you will need a well-positioned Goldman Sachs CV. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. 

CV guide for a Goldman Sachs CV

Showcase your talents with the help of Resume.io. Our writing guides and CV examples cover over 150 professions. Use our CV builder to effortlessly create your Goldman Sachs CV.

This CV guide and corresponding Goldman Sachs CV example will cover the following:

• How to write a Goldman Sachs CV
• Choosing the right CV format for Goldman Sachs
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your Goldman Sachs experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right CV design/layout
• What the Goldman Sachs job market looks like, and what salary you can expect

How to write a Goldman Sachs CV

Before you can start working on your Goldman Sachs CV, you need to learn about the structure. This doesn't have to be hard. Here are the elements that you should include: 

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

You only get one chance to make the right first impression. When you’re working on your Goldman Sachs CV, consider how you can get the competitive edge. Chances are, there are many applicants who have a similar work history and education to you. But what is your unique selling proposition (USP)? What do you have that nobody else does? For example, you may share an anecdote about a large-scale project you worked on or the immense results you gained. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can boost the impact of your CV: 

• Focus on results not just actions. At Goldman Sachs, it’s all about the bottom line. When you are writing your CV, make sure that you include the impact that your actions had. You can do this by quantifying the statements you make with data and facts.
• Tailor your CV to Goldman Sachs. You can find out plenty about the institute on the company’s main website. Use both this and the job advert to help inform the CV that you write. Remember, you want to show you are the perfect candidate for the vacancy.
• Make the hiring manager’s job easy. You can do this by choosing a simple and professional design that is easy to read. Choose from our wide selection of CV templates that have been specifically designed to meet managers’ expectations.
• Optimise your CV for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Before the hiring manager takes a look at your application, it needs to beat the bots. One of the ways that you can do this is by using relevant keywords to get past the CV scanning software.

Choosing the right CV format for a Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is a traditional firm so you need a traditional approach. We recommend using the reverse chronological order for your CV format. This is the standardised approach to application writing and it’s what hiring managers expect to see. This approach positions your most recent accolades at the top of each section. It means that a hiring manager can glance at your Goldman Sachs CV and instantly see whether you have the right experience level. 

However, if your skill set outweighs your experience, you may want to consider a skills-based CV format. This approach places your talents and competencies at the top of your CV. That way, when a hiring manager reviews the document, it’s the main thing that they see. This CV format is also well-positioned for career changers who want to showcase transferable skills. 

If you’re not sure where to begin, we have you covered. Our CV templates in our CV builder can help you perfect your formatting. We have plenty of CV examples using each format as well. 

When it comes to the design, you need to make it easy to understand. A simple layout is a great place to start as it allows the content of your CV to take centre stage.

Include your contact information

Next up, let’s talk about your Goldman Sachs CV header. This section works as a business card displaying your main contact details and general information. 

Keep things professional and ensure that you include the right things. Here’s a rundown of what you should include in your header:

• Full name & title. Start with your full name and the position title listed in the advert.
• Professional email address. Add a clean email address. One that includes your name or initials tends to work best here.
• Phone number. Next, add a phone number where you can be contacted easily. You should also check the answer phone message to see that it’s suitable.
• Location. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to include your full address here. Instead, just put your city and county or country.
• LinkedIn. If you have a public LinkedIn, you can add it here, too. Make sure that your profile is up to date and that all of the information matches your CV.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth: There’s no need to include this and it can lead to age discrimination.
• Personal details: Leave out personal details such as your passport number, your NI number, whether you have children and your marital status.

Make use of a summary

The summary section of your CV is much like an elevator pitch. In between two and four sentences, you need to tell the hiring manager why you’re the ideal candidate. To ensure that this section has a real impact, show off your most impressive achievements first. Leading with a strong statement – that revolves around your results – could be just what it takes. 

You can also include action verbs throughout this section in either the simple past or present tense. Examples include ‘exceeded,’ ‘transformed,’ ‘succeeded,’ ‘delivered,’ and ‘increased’. These words convey a sense of control and power on your part. Use them well! 

Instead of simply detailing your duties, dig deeper. The hiring manager is far more likely to be impressed by the results that you gained than the action you took. Work hard to demonstrate your unique value in this section. For example, your summary may read “Experienced investment banker with prior record of contributing to £150M+ in annual revenue.” Ensure that you make every word count here. There’s simply no room for fluff or ‘filler’ words. 

You can find adaptable Goldman Sachs example summaries below:

Outline your financial work experience

Now that you’ve got the reader’s attention, it’s time to share your work experience. When you’re applying for a role at Goldman Sachs, your prior experience speaks volumes. Show the hiring manager that you check certain boxes before you get started. Once again, you should use the reverse chronological approach here, starting with your most recent position. You don’t need to list all of your experiences here. Only go back 10-15 years, even if you have worked for longer. 

If you have completed internships or university placements that are relevant, you have two choices. You can either include this in your work experience section but make it clear that it was not a full-time role. Alternatively, you may choose to add an ‘Other experience’ section instead.

Each position starts with a heading. This includes your role title, the company name, location, and dates of employment. Below that, you can start adding some colour to each position. Do this by including bullet points that demonstrate the accomplishments you achieved in the role. Leave out any sentence openers such as ‘I,’ ‘I have,’ or ‘I did’ to save yourself some space. 

Aim to highlight your tangible results here, wherever possible. Rather than simply stating what you did, draw a clear line to the result of your actions. Here’s an example of what not to do: 

• “Lead a team”
• “Supported senior bankers”
• “Prepared pitch books”

All of the above are duties and not achievements. You should flesh them out and add more details. That way, the hiring manager can see the value that you brought. Here are some examples of how you might do that: 

• “Lead a team of 50+ financial analysts”
• “Supported senior bankers in executing UK corporate finance transactions”
• “Prepared pitch books contributing to £300M+ firm revenue”

Take a look at the Goldman Sachs employment history CV sample below:

How to write a Goldman Sachs CV with no experience 

If you are a recent graduate applying to Goldman Sachs, you truly need to wow the hiring manager. Win them over with your keen interest in financial services, the expertise you have learned at university, and any transferable skills you’ve picked up along the way. 

Should you have completed an internship or placement, this can be the centrepiece of your Goldman Sachs CV. Show the hiring manager that you are ready for this competitive industry by focusing on the lessons you learned along the way. Once again, it pays to highlight your accomplishments and quantify them. Do this and you boost your chances of overall success. 

Don’t let the fact that you lack direct experience hold you back here. Consider the experiences that you do have and how they have informed your professional journey so far. By painting a clear picture of your progression, you may be able to pique the hiring manager’s interest.

Include the relevant key skills that make you a great Goldman Sachs worker

When writing the skills section of your Goldman Sachs CV, it’s important to tailor the list to the job title. You can look back at the original job posting to see which competencies you need.

Hard skills are more valuable in investment banking and you should dedicate a wealth of space to them on your application. Notable examples include financial analysis, quantitative skills, risk analysis, and financial project knowledge. 

Soft skills, on the other hand, may be less important. However, including them as part of your skills section demonstrates how you collaborate with others. Examples of these include communication, project management, time management, and organisation. 

Not sure where to start? Our CV builder provides a selection of pre-selected skills to choose from. You can also add your own skills into the mix.  

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our CV template for Goldman Sachs. 

It’s not simply about listing your skills in a dedicated section. Aim to demonstrate how you use each of these skills throughout the remainder of your Goldman Sachs CV, as follows:

• Showcase your business strategy by talking about the strategies and initiatives you have used during your financial career.
• Highlight your ability to build client relationships by illustrating long-term engagements.

By adding context to the skills that you list, you can let the hiring manager know what your true value is. This straightforward approach takes all of the guess-work out of things for the reader.

Detail your education & relevant financial certifications

Next up, it’s time to write the education section of your Goldman Sachs CV. The exact certification and qualifications you need will depend on the position you’re applying for. For example, a Mortgage Trading Associate will need different qualifications than an Analyst. 

Before you apply for a role, make sure that you have the right certificates for the role. That is highly important since the firm has high standards. Here are some that you may include: 

• Degrees. To work at Goldman Sachs, you will most likely need to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Math, Physics, or a related subject.
• Financial certificates. For example, the ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification (ACA) or a qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Programming qualifications. For some roles, you will need to be proficient in Python, C++, or Java. If you have certificates in these languages, add them in.
• Student programs & internships. Goldman Sachs offers a selection of student programs to help people enter the institute. If you have completed one of these, it is worth mentioning it either in your education section or in your work experience section.

Pick the right CV layout and design for a Goldman Sachs CV

Looks aren’t the only thing that matters. However, if you want to land a job at the esteemed Goldman Sachs, your CV needs to make the right impression. Opting for either a simple look or a professional design is the way to go. That way, your content will shine above all else. 

It’s also important to make use of white space. Rather than trying to cram too much information onto a page, allow for space around the edges. Leaving a small gap between sections means that each part is easier to read. Additionally, choose a clear, legible font to use throughout.

Avoid including pictures (such as headshots), graphs, or any other imagery. These elements can make your Goldman Sachs look unprofessional. What’s more, they take up valuable space on the document. Instead, you should stick to text and headers throughout your CV. 

If you are not a designer, don’t panic. We have a wide selection of CV templates that you can use to your advantage. Simply choose the one that suits your application best and get going.

Goldman Sachs text-only CV example

Goldman Sachs job market and outlook

Instability in the financial services sector should not put you off. The latest research shows that there has been a 2% growth in this sector year-on-year. There are currently more than 15,000 vacancies at Goldman Sachs, and that number is likely to stay steady in the months to come.

However, competition for this type of role will always be stiff. If you want to land a role at Goldman Sachs, you will need to show that you have real talent and expertise. Creating a stellar CV is only half the job. You should also ensure that you back it up with a persuasive cover letter.

What type of salary you can expect at Goldman Sachs

The salary you gain will depend on your position and level. However, as Payscale reports, the average base salary at Goldman Sachs is £66,000 per year. It doesn't end there. Professionals in this business also benefit from an average of £13,000 per year in bonuses. 

Key takeaways for building a Goldman Sachs CV

To land a job at one of the leading financial institutes, you need an impressive and persuasive application. Your Goldman Sachs CV needs to show off your unique value to the hiring manager and illustrate the results that they can expect. Make sure that you always refer back to the original job advert. There you can find all that you need to know about the vacancy. By tailoring your CV to the demands of the position, you can significantly increase your chance of success.

Perfect your Goldman Sachs CV in just a few clicks. Check out our online CV builder, which can help you create the perfect CV for your next application now.