In this article we’ll explain how to write a strong investment banking CV, from beginner to boardroom. We’ll also share an investment banking CV template.
If you’re an undergraduate with only a little experience in the world of work, there’s still plenty of relevant information worth including on a CV for investment banking job applications.
One of the most potentially lucrative career choices out there, the sector shows no signs of slowing down. There has been a 6.5% increase in the number of businesses involved in UK investment banking since 2022 according to IBISWorld.
But of course, it’s a very competitive industry and there will be plenty of other applicants going for entry level analyst roles.
Once you have years of bank experience behind you then writing your CV becomes an exercise in knowing which are the most relevant aspects to highlight.
But when a student with perhaps only some Spring / Insight Week or summer internship bank experience, it’s a different story. Then it can be hard to know how to sell yourself over one or two CV pages.
Don’t worry – we’re here to help. Let’s start with the basics of a CV for investment banking.
Here are some general principles:
We can’t stress enough how important it is – especially for a sector so competitive as investment banking – to keep checking your CVs for typos, inconsistencies or other errors.
If you’re writing multiple CVs for different banks, just because one of them doesn’t have any mistakes in it, don’t assume that’s the case for the others before you send them.
Use built-in spelling and grammar checkers on your Google or Word Doc. But also read the CV for common sense and any mistakes these tools can’t spot.
So far, so logical. But what should you actually prioritise writing about on a CV for investment banking?
To differentiate yourself from the competition, highlight your professional experience, no matter how limited.
Of course – as an undergraduate if you have had any work experience at a bank e.g. a summer internship, Spring Week and so on, this needs to feature high up on your CV.
It will likely go in your Personal Statement and high up in a Work Experience section. Unless you’re spoiled for choice and have something even more impressive to include above it!
As covered in the previous sections, use a few bullet points to summarise the most impressive aspects. Ideally, these will be achievements and accomplishments – of your experience.
If you have a ‘big name’ bank, private equity firm or other recognisable finance institution in your work experience, include this prominently on your CV, high up. What you achieved in your brief time there should appear in your personal statement and Work Experience sections.
It’s also common for undergraduates to include their Education section high up on a CV. So decide which looks more impressive – your Education or your Work Experience sections – and lead with that after your Personal Statement.
Compared to these sections, things to deprioritise or put lower down a CV for investment banking include volunteer work – arguably, it’s less relevant. For an investment banking role, the Work Experience section implies that you went through a tough interview process to secure the opportunity.
Depending on which company or team you’re applying to, work out which keywords they’re most likely to be interested in. If you have experience in these areas, write about them on your CV where it’s most relevant – for example:
Here is an undergraduate investment banking CV template to help you get started:
[Name]
[Address] – [Phone number] – [Email address]
Personal Statement
Use a few lines to say who you are, what you can offer and your career aims. Personalise it – show how you stand out and what makes you unique. Here’s a sample first sentence:
Multilingual finance undergraduate with Rothschild & Co internship experience, proven professional capabilities in due diligence and M&A support, and a 2:1 from Cardiff University.
Work Experience
List your previous roles or companies worked at in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position – also include the dates.
Then, add bullet points, to describe your most relevant achievements or responsibilities, e.g.:
[Summer internship, Rothschild & Co] [Location] [Dates]
[Spring Insight Week, Rothschild & Co] [Location] [Dates]
Qualifications and Education
Start by including any professional qualifications you may have and then provide your education details:
Other Information
Make sure you include any unique, distinguishing or relevant criteria that you haven’t covered yet – especially any language skills, extracurricular leadership positions, and so on:
References available on request
Already have years of experience? As we say, from beginner to boardroom, we’ve got your back!
While many of the principles already mentioned still apply – write in bullets, be consistent, check your CV thoroughly, etc. – here’s some advice for seasoned professionals:
We hope you’ve found this guide useful. For other informative articles, take a look through the full PurpleCV blog. We recently shared how to become an accountant UK guidelines.
Aside from a wide range of CV advice we also share tips to find the right job vacancies, ace interviews… Then thrive on the first day and beyond in your new role!
And if you need help writing your investment banking CV – or don’t have enough time to do it justice – fear not.
We are CV writing professionals with many years of experience supporting candidates with their job applications. That includes investment banking roles – for more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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