Entry-level Finance Resume Examples

Breaking into the finance industry can be tough, especially when creating an entry-level finance resume. Many new graduates and job seekers feel overwhelmed as they try to showcase their skills and knowledge without much professional experience. It's easy to undersell yourself or include irrelevant information. You might worry that your resume looks too sparse or uncertain about what catches a recruiter’s eye. Fear not! This guide will help you craft an impressive resume that highlights your strengths and gets you noticed. Let's turn those numbers into a resume that adds up.

Your resume template is crucial in making a great first impression. A professionally designed template helps organize your information clearly and attractively. Using the right layout can make your resume stand out from the pile and show recruiters that you mean business.

We have more than 700 resume examples to guide you in writing the perfect resume. Use them to make your resume shine!

What to focus on when writing your entry-level finance resume

An entry-level finance resume should quickly show your ability to handle financial tasks and your eagerness to grow in the field. Highlight your education, internships, and any relevant coursework to build credibility. Make sure to include skills like proficiency in financial software and solid analytical abilities. Adding quantifiable results from past experiences can also boost your resume's impact.

Bullet points to boost an accountant resume:

• Proficient in Excel and financial modeling software.
• Completed coursework in financial accounting and auditing.
• Successfully managed a budget for a student organization.
• Assisted in preparing annual financial reports during an internship.

Must have information on your entry-level finance resume

A well-structured resume is crucial for landing an entry-level finance job. Here are the must-have sections for your resume:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Education
• Relevant Coursework
• Work Experience
• Skills

You might also consider adding sections like Certifications, Volunteer Work, or Extracurricular Activities to further showcase your qualifications. These additional sections can provide a more holistic view of your abilities and experiences.

Which resume format to choose

For an entry-level finance resume, a reverse-chronological format is best because it emphasizes your education and any relevant internships or part-time work. Use modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of the outdated Arial and Times New Roman for a fresh, contemporary look. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it looks the same on any device. Keep your margins between 0.5 to 1 inch for readability, and use clear section headings to help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) easily identify key information. Well-structured headings improve your chances of getting noticed.

An entry-level finance resume should include these key sections:

• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Education
• Work Experience
• Skills
• Certifications
• Activities or Interests
• References

Make sure to use Resume Mentor's free resume builder, which handles all these details smoothly for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your experience section for an entry-level finance resume requires a clear, logical flow and focus on your achievements. Start with your most recent job and work backwards. Aim to go back no more than 10 years; any older experience may not be relevant. Include job titles that reflect positions relevant to the role you're applying for. This means if you've had roles that don't relate to finance, it might be better to leave them out or summarize them briefly.

Tailor this section for each job application. Use action words to make your accomplishments stand out. These include words like "achieved," "improved," "increased," "developed," and "analyzed." Numbers and achievements should be highlighted to show your impact, not just your responsibilities.

Here's a first example:

This example is not effective because it focuses more on responsibilities than achievements. It also fails to quantify the impact.

Here's a better example:

This example shines because it highlights achievements and uses numbers to show impact. It demonstrates real value to potential employers. Make sure you use this approach to make your resume stand out in the competitive finance field.

Entry-level finance resume experience examples

Ready to spice up your finance resume? These tips will put you on the "fast track" to standing out! Let’s work on crafting entries that showcase your unique skills and experiences.

Achievement-focused

Emphasize your major accomplishments at work. Highlight what you did and the positive outcome. Being specific with figures can help your achievements stand out.

Skills-focused

Show off your top skills relevant to finance roles. Make sure these are concrete skills you've developed and used on the job.

Responsibility-focused

Highlight the duties you had in your role. Make it clear which tasks you were trusted with and how you managed them.

Project-focused

Detail specific projects you worked on. Explain the project's aims, your role, and its successful outcome.

Result-focused

Focus on the results of your actions. Use quantifiable metrics to emphasize the success of your work.

Industry-Specific Focus

Highlight your experience in a particular industry. Make it clear how your work within that industry is relevant to your prospective finance role.

Problem-Solving focused

Discuss challenges you encountered and how you solved them. Show prospective employers your innovative thinking.

Innovation-focused

Emphasize new ideas or processes you brought to the table. Highlight any created or significantly improved methods, tools, or systems.

Leadership-focused

Illustrate your leadership abilities. Even in an entry-level role, show instances where you led a team or took initiative.

Customer-focused

Highlight your customer service skills. Show how you met or exceeded customer needs in your finance role.

Growth-focused

Showcase how you contributed to the growth of the company. Detail specific initiatives or approaches that led to expansion or scaling.

Efficiency-focused

Highlight how you improved efficiency in your role. Use metrics to back up your claims and show tangible improvements.

Technology-focused

Show your comfort and aptitude with technology. Highlight your experience with relevant finance software or tools.

Collaboration-focused

Detail how you succeeded by working with others. Team-based successes can highlight your interpersonal and collaborative skills.

Training and Development focused

Emphasize any mentoring, training, or development roles. Even entry-level positions can include helping to train new hires or leading small learning initiatives.

Write your entry-level finance resume summary section

Crafting a resume summary for an entry-level finance position involves highlighting your relevant skills and experiences in a concise manner. This section should grab the hiring manager's attention. It should convey who you are and what you offer to the company in all of three to five sentences.

An applicant should describe themselves succinctly. Focus on your main strengths, any relevant education, and specific skills that make you a strong candidate for the role.

Knowing the difference between summary sections is crucial. A resume summary gives a brief overview of your skills and experiences. A resume objective focuses on your career goals. A resume profile is a detailed narrative about your professional experiences. A summary of qualifications lists your top achievements relevant to the role.

Here are two resume summary examples formatted in JSON:

This summary example is bad because it lacks specifics. The phrases used are too general and don't provide any value. It doesn’t highlight any particular skills or experiences. Hiring managers are left guessing about your qualifications.

This summary is good because it is specific and to the point. It highlights your degree, your proficiency in a key skill, and your experience. It clearly shows what you offer. This helps hiring managers quickly see your suitability for the role.

A well-written summary can make your resume stand out. Use concrete details to give the reader a clear picture of your capabilities.

Listing your entry-level finance skills on your resume

Crafting a skills section for an entry-level finance resume is crucial. You can have a standalone skills section or weave skills into other sections like experience and summary. Your strengths often include soft skills like communication and teamwork, invaluable in any finance role. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities such as proficiency in Excel or understanding financial regulations.

Incorporating your skills and strengths as keywords throughout your resume can help you get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers. Ensure these keywords accurately reflect your abilities and align with the job description.

This example effectively highlights a diverse set of relevant skills. It is good because it directly aligns with common requirements for entry-level finance roles and helps the resume stand out.

Best hard skills to feature on your entry-level finance resume

Hard skills for an entry-level finance role should include technical abilities relevant to the field. These skills show you have the base knowledge needed to perform specific job tasks efficiently.

Best soft skills to feature on your entry-level finance resume

Soft skills for an entry-level finance role should include interpersonal abilities that help you work well in a team and communicate effectively. These skills demonstrate your capacity to thrive in a professional environment.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is a crucial part of your entry-level finance resume. This section provides potential employers with a snapshot of your academic credentials. Tailor the education section to fit the job you are applying for—omit any irrelevant education. Highlight your GPA if it is strong and include any honors like cum laude.

To list your degree, start with the degree title, followed by the institution name, location, and graduation dates. If your GPA is impressive (typically 3.5 or above), include it. Mention cum laude or any other honors after your degree.

Here is an example of a poor education section:

This example is sloppy and lacks detail. "Some College" is vague, there's no specific degree, GPA, or location. It provides little useful information.

Here's a well-crafted education section:

This example clearly lists the degree, institution, location, dates, honors, and GPA. It provides a concise, effective snapshot of relevant education.

How to include entry-level finance certificates on your resume

Adding a certificates section to an entry-level finance resume is essential. Certificates show your dedication and specialized knowledge, which can set you apart from other candidates. You can place this section either in the main body of the resume or in the header for quick visibility.

List the name of the certificate first. Include the date of when you earned it. Add the issuing organization that provided the certificate. Organizing information in this way makes it easy for employers to evaluate your qualifications quickly.

The example above is excellent because it focuses on certificates relevant to finance. The "Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1" is highly respected in the finance industry. "CFA Institute" is clearly mentioned, letting employers know the credibility of the certification. This simple yet effective information layout allows for quick readability and clarity.

Extra sections to include in your entry-level finance resume

Breaking into the finance world can be challenging, especially for entry-level candidates. Building a well-rounded resume that showcases more than just your academic and professional experiences is crucial. Including diverse sections like language skills, hobbies, volunteer work, and books can help your resume stand out.

• Language section — List additional languages you know as this can highlight your communication skills and cultural awareness.
• Hobbies and interests section — Share your personal interests to show that you have a balanced life and can bring unique perspectives to the team.
• Volunteer work section — Include volunteer activities to demonstrate your commitment to community and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Books section — Mention books you've read that are relevant to finance to show your passion for continuous learning and staying updated in your field.

These sections can provide a fuller picture of who you are beyond your academic and work achievements. They can help you stand out as a well-rounded candidate, making you more appealing to employers.

Pair your entry-level finance resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It serves to introduce you to employers, showcasing your personality, skills, and enthusiasm for the role. A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out by providing context to your resume and explaining why you're a perfect fit for the position.

For an entry-level finance position, your cover letter should focus on your educational background, any internships or part-time jobs in finance, and relevant coursework. Highlight your analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work with numbers. Mention any specific finance tools or software you are familiar with, and demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow within the company.

Ready to make a lasting impression? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder to craft your perfect cover letter. It's easy to use, and exporting to PDF ensures your content and formatting stay intact. Start today and get one step closer to your dream job!