When it comes to breaking into investment banking, your resume and cover letter aren’t just formalities – they’re your first shot at leaving an impression. Think of your resume as the opening scene of a blockbuster film: it needs to grab attention, tell a compelling story, and make recruiters want more. Your cover letter? That’s the trailer, the preview that builds intrigue and highlights why you’re the one to watch.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of crafting a resume and cover letter that make hiring managers want to learn more, not pass you over.
In investment banking, where competition is fierce, you don’t have much time to make an impact. On average, recruiters spend six seconds reviewing a resume (Recruitment Trends Report, 2023). Six seconds – that’s less time than it takes to scroll through a single TikTok! If your resume doesn’t make an immediate impact, it’s likely to be set aside.
Imagine your resume as the first scene of a blockbuster—it has to hook the audience right away, saying, “This is who I am, and here’s why you should be interested in what I can bring to your team.”
Investment banking recruiters skim resumes fast, looking for signals of competence and fit. Here’s what they want to see:
Your resume layout should be clean, easy to scan, and structured by sections such as “Education,” “Experience,” and “Skills.” Use bullet points to highlight each point, and make sure to focus on the results you achieved, not just the actions you took.
If you’re new to the field, leverage your coursework and projects as proof of your skills. Think of them as your practical experience, especially if they’re relevant to the role. Did you excel in “Corporate Finance”? List it. Did you complete a project that involved financial modeling or valuation? Absolutely mention it. These details demonstrate both your technical background and your interest in finance.
This is where most people miss the mark. A recruiter doesn’t want to read a laundry list of your responsibilities—they want to know what impact you made. Did you create a financial model that helped a team make a key decision? Did you identify cost savings during an internship? These are tangible, results-driven points that tell recruiters, “I’m someone who makes things happen.”
Quantify wherever possible. Saying you “analyzed financial statements” is good, but saying you “analyzed financial statements to identify $50,000 in cost savings, which was presented to senior leadership” is much better. Numbers add credibility to your accomplishments.
Your goal is to make your resume pop with data-backed accomplishments. Here are a few examples:
Source: University of York
Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a personal impression. A generic cover letter feels like you’re going through the motions; a tailored one shows that you’re genuinely interested in the firm. And yes, every application deserves a fresh, customized letter.
Whenever possible, address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name. It personalizes your application and shows that you’ve done your homework. If you don’t know their name, use the department or team name to show that you’re aware of the firm’s structure.
Example: “Dear Ms. Johnson, I am excited to apply for the Analyst position on your M&A team…”
Your cover letter is where you get to share the “why” behind your interest in investment banking. Why this firm? Why finance? Don’t be afraid to share a short anecdote about a moment or experience that inspired your career choice. Was it a finance class project where you analyzed real-world companies? A summer internship where you realized the impact of financial strategy?
Explain why you’re excited about this specific firm and what you admire about their work. If they recently completed a high-profile merger, mention it. Firms want candidates who see themselves as part of the team – not just applicants sending out generic letters.
Your resume showed what you’ve done in the past; now, the cover letter is where you discuss what you’d bring to the firm. Be specific about how your skills could contribute to their work. If you’re applying to an M&A team, for example, explain how your experience in financial analysis and modelling can support their upcoming deals.
If you’re thinking, “Isn’t it enough to have one version of my resume and cover letter?” – the answer is no. Customizing your application materials for each role might seem time-consuming, but it pays off. Tailoring is about aligning your experiences with what the firm values. This shows that you’re not just interested in any finance job; you’re interested in this role at this firm.
Firms have different cultures, focuses, and client bases. By customizing your resume and cover letter to reflect these aspects, you’re sending a clear signal: you understand their values, and you’re a fit. Research each firm’s core principles, high-profile deals, and market presence, and find ways to relate these to your experience.
Basic research goes a long way. Did the firm recently complete a notable acquisition? Mention it in your cover letter and relate it to your own experience with similar projects. Every detail adds up, showing that you’re committed, prepared, and aware.
Your resume and cover letter are your trailer – your first impression. Make them captivating enough to leave the hiring team eager for more. Just like a well-edited trailer teases the main event, your application materials should showcase the highlights and hint at the impact you could make if given a chance.
Imagine the recruiter thinking, “This candidate sounds promising; I want to know more.” That’s the reaction you’re aiming for. Your resume should be so well-tailored and compelling that it almost reads as a story they can’t put down. Avoid filler and focus on the specific accomplishments and skills that make you an ideal fit.
Before hitting send, do a final quality check. Look out for typos, ensure consistency in formatting, and confirm that everything aligns with the firm’s specific needs. When in doubt, ask yourself: Does this resume and cover letter reflect the best version of me?
A good resume and cover letter aren’t about padding or over-polishing. They’re your story, pared down to the essentials, with just enough there to make someone look twice. Think of your resume as the introduction: it’s short, sharp, and to the point. No fluff, no filler – just a few lines that say, “This is who I am, and here’s why you should keep reading.” The cover letter, meanwhile, lets you add a bit of the why, the personal side of things. It’s your chance to connect your experience with what matters to you about the role.
You should draft the CV like you would edit an image (your image). Every tweak brings it a little closer to the image you want to convey, but the key is in knowing what to leave out. Each adjustment, each tailored line, helps build a version that feels true. And the truth is, this process isn’t just a one-off; resumes and cover letters evolve as you do, reflecting what you bring to the table right now.
If you approach it right – no gimmicks, no shortcuts – you stand a better chance of leaving a mark. Because in a stack of applications, the one that feels real, that reads as human, is the one they’ll remember.
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