How to optimise your CV for a role in Finance
A well-crafted CV can be the key to unlocking new career opportunities or remaining stuck in a stagnant position.
In the competitive finance sector, your CV is often the first point of contact with potential employers and can determine whether you get an interview or are overlooked. At MB Connected, we have many years of experience in recruitment, and have seen a plethora of different CV’s in those years. Take a read of our advice below on how to craft the perfect CV…
Understanding the Role of Your CV
Finance employers are often pressed for time and seek efficiency in their recruitment processes. Therefore, your CV needs to be tailored to meet their specific requirements. Addressing your CV and cover letter to the right person and customising them for each application significantly increases your chances of standing out.
Generic applications rarely succeed in today’s job market. Your CV should:
1. Capture the recruiter’s attention immediately.
2. Clearly link your skills and experience to the job description.
3. Demonstrate your fit within the company’s culture.
4. Enhance your chances of securing an interview.
Crafting the Ideal Finance CV
Relevance is Key
Include only relevant skills, knowledge, and experience. Use the job advert as a guide, mirroring its terminology to create a connection with the employer. If you lack certain skills, express your willingness to learn and provide examples of your adaptability. Also, any transferable skills that can help to fill any gaps in your experience.
Keep your CV concise, ideally two pages, unless you have extensive relevant experience.
Essential Sections of Your CV
1. Personal Details: Ensure your contact information is current and professional.
2. Personal Statement: A brief summary at the top of your CV highlighting your suitability for the role. This is a key aspect of a brilliant CV.
3. Work Experience: Detail your relevant roles, including company names, job titles, and employment periods.
4. Achievements: Provide specific examples of accomplishments that showcase your ability to excel in the role. It is great to see personal examples in a CV, so your personality shines through.
5. Education: You don’t have to go into every detail of each academic achievement from when you started school, try to list educational achievements relevant to the job.
Tips for an Eye-Catching Finance CV
1. Contact Details: Double-check for accuracy. If they need to get in touch with you, you want to ensure they don’t run into any difficulty.
2. Professional Email: It might be time to say goodbye to the email address you first created all those years ago with a quirky username. To make the best first impression, use a professional email address.
3. LinkedIn Profile: Include a link to your LinkedIn profile, and ensure this is up to date and relevant.
4. Proofread: Run spell check and have someone else review your CV. When you have been looking at it yourself for a long time, it can be easy to miss easy to fix errors.
5. Font Choice: Use a clear, readable font and avoid using multiple styles or sizes. You want to make it as easy to read as possible.
6. Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of overused terms like “go-getter” or “think outside the box.”
The Importance of a Cover Letter
Always include a cover letter. It’s your chance to demonstrate that you’ve researched the company and to explain why you’re a good fit for the role. Use the cover letter to expand on your CV, providing a more personal insight into your suitability for the position.
Final Thoughts
Your CV is your first opportunity to impress a finance recruiter or hiring manager. By aligning your CV closely with the job description, you increase your chances of landing an interview. Take time over it, don’t be afraid to show your personality, and keep it relevant.
For personalised assistance in crafting your finance CV and discovering new job opportunities, contact us today.
In case you missed it, you can read last weeks post HERE
