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.
Investing in a growing career sector
An industry report shows that each year from 2018-2023, the number of investment banking businesses in the UK increased by 2.6%.
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.
Top financial employers
According to Cibyl Graduate Research UK 2023, J.P. Morgan is the number 1 employer in the financial sector, followed by Goldman Sachs and Barclays.
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
Invest in an ATS-friendly CV
While it may take extra time to tailor each CV to suit the job vacancy you’re applying to, it’s an important use of your time. Not only will the hiring manager appreciate it.
The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will be filtering only the highest ranking CVs to make it in front of the hiring manager.
So, make sure your CV includes the keywords it will be searching for by matching your CV’s language to the job description’s language. You can think about this more carefully by checking out our guide on CV keywords.
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.
Experienced and driven Financial Advisor with three years of experience partnering with clients and organizations to deliver financial insights and recommendations. Proven expertise in preparing financial models, executing data analytics, and conducting market research.
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.
Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs, Manchester
September 2022 - Present
- Analyse investment opportunities, partnering with clients to shape investment recommendations and strategies.
- Develop detailed risk and return profiles, enabling informed decision-making.
- Maintain up-to-date insights into current market fluctuations and shifts to support optimal investment activities.
Investment Banking Intern at Goldman Sachs, Manchester
June 2022 - September 2022
- Supported the M&A team in creating financial models and valuation analyses
- Conducted market research to gather data for pitch decks and client presentations
- Assisted in the preparation of client materials, showcasing attention to detail and understanding of industry requirements
Research Assistant at University of Warwick, Manchester
October 2020 - June 2021
- Collaborated with a faculty member to analyze economic trends and implications
- Utilized statistical software (R and Python) to analyse large datasets, providing insights and aiding in the publication of a research paper
- Developed excellent problem-solving skills through the analysis of complex economic problems
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.
So, don’t be afraid to gain some inspiration from other CV samples. You could start by exploring our:
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.
Skills beyond the skills section
Showing off your skills isn’t limited to the skills section. Don’t forget that the bullet points in your employment history section is also a great place to show examples of how you’ve implemented some of the most important skills for the role.
- Financial Modelling
- Analytical Thinking
- Client Engagement
- Risk & Return Profiles
- Investment Analysis
- Market Insights
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Pitch & Presentation Development
- Statistical Software
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.
Master of Science in Finance, Victoria University of Manchester, Manchester
September 2022 - July 2023
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics, Victoria University of Manchester, Manchester
September 2019 - March 2022
New to the field? No problem!
If you are breaking into the field, you could mention relevant coursework or projects that showcase your proficiency in financial analysis, risk management, and quantitative skills.
You can highlight in the same way you added detail in the employment history section:
- Add a couple of relevant bullet points underneath the corresponding qualification subheading.
- Keep it concise and snappy by using strong action verbs and quantifiable results such as grades where possible.
- To keep your CV concise, avoid this level of detail after you have a few years of professional experience.
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
- Tailor your investment banker CV to the job you want to land. The hiring manager and ATS will thank you!
- Concise bullet points in your employment history section are the key to communicating your most relevant accomplishments.
- Look for opportunities to highlight your relevant skills throughout your CV as well as in the skills section.
- Visual impressions count, too. Don’t cut corners when it comes to a professional CV layout.
