Financial Analyst Resume: Free Sample & Writing Guide

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Financial analysis jobs are in the highest demand to date.

In fact, the financial analyst employment industry is predicted to grow 6% between 2020-2030.

The roles of financial analysts in today’s business sphere are endless—from planning and analyzing a business’s performance to making forecasts for strategic decisions —comprehensiveness is the king among successful financial analysts.

That said, becoming a suitable candidate for any given position requires attention to detail, advanced finance, economics, and statistics expertise, and high problem-solving skills.

We can hear you asking how to write a resume that includes all of these professional financial analyst skills that employers want to see.

Don’t stress. We’ve got all the answers in this financial analyst resume guide.

From personal information, skills, and experience to education sections and/or a resume summary—here is everything you need to know in order to create a resume that will help you stand out in the financial analyst job market.

Let’s have a quick look at a financial analyst resume sample, so you take some ideas to start yours without any legal problem.

Resume Example

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[Brice Hendrix]

[Financial Analyst]

[632 Duke Lane, Newark, NJ 08861 | 732-697-8918 | huejess@gmail.com]

Summary

Highly qualified and detail oriented Financial Analyst with 5 years of experience developing and delivering informative analysis for high level executives. Able to create detailed and informative financial documentation used to help solve complex financial issues. Highly knowledgeable in all aspects of financial reporting and data analysis. Experience in streamlining and developing new procedures for cutting costs and facilitating effective financial reporting policies and procedures.

Experience 

Financial Analyst

ARGI Investment Services, Louisville, KY

June 2017 – November 2020

• Tracked financial investments made important financial recommendations based on market trends
• Increased accuracy of firm by forecasting revenue projections by 15%
• Prepared weekly and monthly financial reports
• Lead presentations to inform on the financial outlook for both staff members and executives
• Improved the analysis of financial data and increased client revenue by 5%

Financial Analyst

Atlas Brown Financial Service, Louisville, KY

December 2015 – July 2017

• Wrote financial reports on the firm’s financial outlook
• Developed financial risk assessment strategies
• Analyzed competitors and developed financial strategies
• Helped to reduce losses by an average of 10%
• Created financial models

Education 

MBA, Finance
Harvard University – Cambridge, MA
September 2016 – June 2017

BA, Accounting
University of Louisville – Louisville, KY
September 2008 – June 2011

Skills

• Analytical skills
• Strategic thinking
• Leadership
• Risk management
• Trend and data analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Data Visualization

Certifications

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Mar 2014 – Mar 2015
Corporate Finance Institute

Memberships

• The Financial Management Association
• American Association of Finance and Accounting

Hobbies and Interests

• Softball
• Chess
• Public speaking

---

The finance sector is competitive and relentlessly moving at a fast pace.

Crunching numbers and planning is exciting, especially if forecasting big future investments.

Financial Analysts are, therefore, passionate when it comes to working.

However, before getting hired, you’ll need a strong resume to help single you out from the crowd.

There are several points to consider when writing a financial analyst resume. Combining carefully chosen information into a clear and precise employee portfolio, alongside showcasing yourself professionally in the perfect light, is what will get you that job.

When crafting your financial analyst resume, there are 3 basic resume formats to choose from:

• Functional—this format mainly focuses on the candidate’s skills and less on their working experience.
• Reverse-chronological—the most widely used and practical resume format. Its main feature is a reverse-chronological presentation of your working experience – or most recent to oldest.
• Combination—this format combines the two aforementioned patterns and showcases both the applicant’s experience and their skills.

For maximum effect, we advise you make use of the reverse-chronological resume format, thus putting your best and most recent work first. Plus, this type of format counts as the most widely accepted and practical one.

Remember, formatting a resume matters.

Because of this, you need to pay extra attention to the way you strategically use eye-catching fonts and the way you create well-defined and precise headings.

But that’s why you’re here, isn’t it?

To learn how to write the best financial analyst resume you can. Let’s get into it.

This is the simplest part of the resume, but at the same time, a highly important one.
Without the contact information, a recruiter will not be able to contact you and offer you the job.

So what does this section need to include?

• First and last name
• A cell phone number for easier communication
• An email address that looks professional and that you use regularly
• Link to a LinkedIn profile, so recruiters won’t waste time finding you
• A personal website that is used as a professional portfolio
• Social network account (Instagram, Twitter) if social media is your expertise.

It used to be common practice to add a headshot photo and date of birth.

Nowadays, recruiters prefer these 2 items to be omitted.

Unfortunately, there may be substance to the idea that candidates can be discriminated against due to age or looks instead of concentrating on qualifications.

No one is an expert when it comes to writing resumes.

Oftentimes, applicants find themselves at the crossroads of what information to include in their financial analyst resume, which information to leave out, and how to present their overall working experience, so it captures an employer’s attention.

This is where professional help can come in handy.

Our free resume builder knows how to make expertise stand out.

When writing a resume, it’s important to plan its framework ahead of time, so you don’t leave out an important step or even add information that is not of value.

If you care to apply for a job, but you don’t have sufficient experience, there are two options to choose from—a resume summary and a resume objective.

A resume summary is a far better option to use in senior resumes, whereas the resume objective is more suitable for those at junior entry-level or in an entry-level financial analyst resume.

Financial Analyst Resume Summary

When it comes to the resume of financial analysts, your resume summary might matter more than anticipated. Mainly, a resume summary represents a brief career profile, typically placed at the top of a resume.

It’s a summary that highlights some of your top skills alongside your biggest professional accomplishments.

Using a summary in your financial analyst resume provides the recruiter with a sneak peek of your greatest assets and strengths concerning the open position at hand.

It takes a maximum of 5 sentences to convince the recruiter to consider you as a possible candidate.

To catch their eye as a viable applicant, you ought to stick to specific, non-generic content, custom-fit to the company’s needs.

In the end, what recruiters want to know is how your skills can be of use to them, and you can stir up that interest with a top-notch resume.

A summary should point out your value as a candidate in just a few words.

Consider including the following:

• Professional position and years of experience
• Strong personality traits that make you stand out (optional)
• Your key 1-2 accomplishments in your career
• Your main skills

Follow this example of Senior Financial Analyst Resume Summary:

Here is an example of what a bad Resume Summary looks like. This might cause your application to end up in the trash:

Financial Analyst Resume Objectives

Resume objectives are ideal for those candidates who want to apply for an entry-level finance analyst position or build their entry-level finance resume.

It doesn’t include work experience but rather professional goals.

An objective requires the candidate to be very precise on how you can contribute to the company’s operation. Simple and concise sentences give a much clearer message.

A resume objective should include the following information related to the job you are applying for:

• Education and certification information
• A selection of your skills
• Reasons for applying for that position
• Example of how you can contribute to the company

A resume objective is a good section option for interns and candidates who are just entering the job market.

Below is a good example of a resume objective for a Junior Financial Analyst:

If you are fresh out of college and want to apply for an internship, this example might help you prepare your Resume Objective:

A financial analyst’s resume content will greatly depend on the level of experience you have.
An intern or entry-level financial analyst will have less to say on the subject than, say, a senior or professional financial analyst.

Financial analysis is a broad field and includes several industries.

Because of this, as a candidate, you may have experience in more fields than one.

Therefore, adapt your resume depending on whether you have worked on buying and selling or on investments.

The bullet points describing your working experience provide the resume’s real texture. A resume is not just listing positions, dates, and companies.

Bullet points, for instance, can drastically accentuate your skills and the professional contribution you have made throughout your career.

Financial Analyst Resume Samples: Experience Section

When writing the experience you have acquired as a financial analyst, some simple tips may help:

• Always start with the current position that you hold and work your way backward, in a reverse-chronological order
• Adjust the experience in the financial sector to the position you are applying for. Present relevant and similar experience examples
• Every entry should contain clear and precise data. In the beginning, give the job title, date of employment, and the company name
• Present your experience in no more than 5-7 bullet points. Don’t just list responsibilities. Use these bullet points instead to highlight your accomplishment for a particular position
• The experience of your previous jobs should be presented in no more than few bullet points

As an experienced financial analyst, point out how your analyses have given concrete results in a professional situation.

Also, it’s smart to use keywords concerning your specific tasks, like improved and increased budgets or reduced expenses.

Here is a sample of what the experience Section of a financial analyst resume should look like:

How to Write a Resume for a Finance Analyst with No Experience

Ever wondered how you could compete with others who already have experience?

Without a single day of experience in the financial world, you might think you don’t stand a chance—however, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

If you are just entering the job market, there isn’t going to be much to put on your resume.

However, although you might be lacking financial analyst experience, you might be still qualified for the job you are applying for.

Go through your skills and think about how they can be used for the position you are applying for.

Entry-level candidates should put the accent on their educational degrees, especially if these come from a high-ranking educational facility.

Projects

Completed personal projects are an excellent option to point out skills. Think back to a completed project from University that you are proud of.

Use strong words to stress your contribution to the project results. Your skills used on any given project have to reflect the requirements for the position you are applying for.

Below is one example of the right way to present your skills and achievements through completed projects:

Volunteering

You may not have experience, but you do have some extra skills you acquired while doing volunteer work. These may put you high on the list of candidates for the job that you are eyeing.

Volunteer work shows recruiters that the candidate is passionate and dedicated and willing to work for a cause.

To present your volunteer work on your resume, list the organization, date, and location. Also include the type of volunteer work and the relevant skills and achievements.

Follow the example below to present your volunteer work as your qualifications.

Extracurricular Activities

Many candidates are motivated and like to do things outside their daily school or business activities.

If you’ve been or are a member of any club, or have been a student president or representative, these qualities are worth mentioning in your resume.

All of them tell the employer that you have been proactive and hardworking in other fields, not just your schooling.

Studying is a must, yes, but there is also more to being successful than just knowledge.
Follow the example below to learn how to incorporate the extracurricular activities in your resume:

The education section on your resume should not be underestimated—financial analyst employers do find it useful and interesting to evaluate.

Having said this, education is not something that a candidate should go overboard with.

As with other sections, it’s paramount that you are, above all, clear and sharp, and only indicate the best skills you possess for the said position.

Entry-level finance analysts ought to place their education section at the top of their resumes.

If you are from an Ivy League school, you will especially want to point that out, as companies bend over backward to hire top graduates from elite schools.

Financial Analyst Resume Examples: Education

When writing your education section, bear in mind everything that the job requires.

Some recruiters just need your completed education level and where you studied.

Others, however, may require more information than this. If this is the case, you may want to include the following in your financial analyst resume:

• Your GPA
• Any relevant papers or publications
• Courses that are relevant to the job
• Membership in any academic clubs

The following is an example that might be useful when more educational information is required:

When adding skills to your resume, make sure they closely fit the requirements of the job description.

If a candidate has numerous hard and soft skills, they should be divided into categories for easier navigation.

The skills section should mainly be focusing on the hard skills. Soft skills are usually hard to measure so unless they are required for the job, you can give a short overview of them as a while.

Also, try to incorporate them into the working experience description.

Resumes should only and exclusively feature the skills you are experienced in.

Candidates tend to pack everything they believe is relevant, and end up facing mismatching difficulties once they start working.

When trying to choose the skills to include in your financial analyst resume, concentrate on the following as possible options:

• Strategic and logical thinking
• Financial and analytical modeling
• Process improvement
• Financial accounting
• Ability to multitask, persuade and influence
• Knowledge of ERP systems, etc.

Skills that shouldn’t be included are those you don’t find relevant for the job at hand.

This is important if you wish to change your career—skip over all irrelevant skills, and only stick to those required by the job post.

Typically, financial analyst candidates tend to oversell, undersell, or conceal their skills. If your knowledge in a field is basic, it’s better not to include it in the resume at all.

Also, if you state you have expertise in 5 fields but have worked in only one, this will look bad on your resume.

And lastly, never underestimate the recruiter’s judgment of your skills.

Financial Analyst Resume Samples: Skills List

The skills section is most commonly found at the bottom of your financial analyst resume.

It should be short and clear content and easily comprehensible for the recruiter.

Your resume is reviewed for the job you applied for—therefore keep your skills relevant and don’t venture into a non-related industry field.

Focus on your experience only, and mention the following, if you’ve done any:

• NetSuite
• Oracle Business Intelligence
• Montgomery Investment Technology Fin Tools
• S&P Capital IQ
• IBM Cognos Impromptu
• The MathWorks MATLAB, etc.

If you are clueless as to what the skills section of your resume should look like, below is an example:

Certifications may seem unnecessary, but they can help you stand out among your competitors. After all, being a certified expert in a certain field is a big advantage.

Let the recruiter know that you have the extra professional qualifications they need. Also, it shows them that you haven’t just been sitting around, but have been working on your skills whilst hunting for your ideal position.

Financial Analyst Certifications

There are several important certificates that financial analysts must-have. They are a must if you wish to be a professional in your field.

Here are just a few of those certificates:

• CFP—or Certified Financial Planner, which has everything to do with financial planning. Advising individuals on finances requires a trustworthy professional.
• CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst is obtained after passing 3 complex exams and entails 3 years of professional experience.
• CFS—Certified Fund Specialists gain expertise in mutual funds. It’s a certificate that requires candidates to constantly educate themselves.
• CIC—Chartered Investment Counselors are highly regarded and valued. They are entrusted with major accounts, on an international level.
• FRM—Financial Risk Managers aim for careers in financial, market, and operational risk management.

If you are struggling with how to add the certificates to your resume, here is a good example to follow:

So far, we’ve discussed which basic sections need to be included in your financial analyst resume.

In a nutshell, here are the sections that a standard resume should include:

• Personal and Contact Information—seen in 99.85% of resumes
• Work Experience—found in 98.33% of resumes
• Education—found in 97.25% of resumes
• Professional Skills—seen in 89.81% of resumes
• Summary or Objective—88.75%

However, many other additional sections may be added to help boost your financial analyst resume.

Some of the additional sections may include:

• Volunteer work—if your volunteer work can be linked to the job then make sure you add it. Employers like to see that candidates are active members of society.
• Projects—add your achievements related to completed personal projects. Make sure they are somehow linked to the job description.
• Languages—candidates with knowledge of several languages are an asset, especially if the company works internationally.
• Conferences and publications—if you attended conferences and have publications relevant to the field for the job you are applying for, make sure you mention them. Try to link how they can help you in your new position.

Finance Analyst Resume Samples: Additional Sections

Financial analysts might want to break down the resume into different categories based on their skills.

Other than the general section, a resume should include technical skills as it’s a technology-oriented career.

The following is an example of an entry-level or junior financial analyst resume for the additional sections:

Notice that the resume example includes a section on volunteering and university projects, technical skills, finance-related activities, certifications, and training.

A senior analyst resume should reflect on their extensive financial experience, including their leadership skills. Senior financial analysts aim for higher and better positions in leading project teams.

The resume should include additional information regarding technical and software skills, certifications, any specific techniques used, and leadership skills acquired.

A senior financial analyst should present the additional section of the resume in the following way:

Before preparing your resume for the new job position as a financial analyst, you must study the job description well.

To keep it simple, we’ve created a checklist for you.

Make sure your financial analyst resume ticks all these boxes!

• A reverse-chronological format is the best resume to accent the best qualities.
• Depending on your previous experience, prepare a resume summary or objective to catch the recruiter’s attention.
• When writing about your working experience, choose strong keywords to point out the main requirements relevant to the job.
• Recruiters like hiring interns or junior financial analysts from Ivy League schools, if you went to one, be sure to include it!
• The skills section is where you showcase what you are good at. Choose only those skills that relate to the job you are applying for and highlight your strengths.
• Certifications are known to increase the candidate’s credibility. They show that there is a continuous upgrade of the knowledge and following of trends.
• Additional sections depend on the experience level of the candidate. They need to reflect the employer’s requirements for the desired job.

As long as you mind your resume structure, feature all relevant details, skills, and achievements you possess, and represent yourself in a professional light, your resume will stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Remember. Lots of applicants under-appreciate the importance of a good resume, and if you’ve got this far, we’re guessing you don’t!

In ResumeGiants, we wish you the best of luck, future Financial Whizz!