5 tips to build a good CV for finance jobs
Posted at 24/08/2021
The CV establishes the first contact with the recruiter, gives a first image about your professional profile and, is decisive for whether you get through to the interview stage. Recruitment specialists know that it takes only a few seconds for those responsible for hiring new staff to analyse a CV, so it should be as objective as possible, grabbing attention and making a difference.
What should you pay attention to stand out from the other candidates? At Fed Finance Portugal, we have analyzed 5 key tips:
Adapt your CV to the job description
Your CV must convey the most relevant experience according to the position you are applying for, rather than being a description of all the professional experiences and roles you have had throughout your career. Never forget that what is most important should always come first.
Always have several different CVs available, so that it is easier to adapt to the type of vacancy in question. Constantly update and adapt it whenever necessary so that you can send it out as soon as an offer that suits you comes up. Include in your CV keywords about the role, values, and culture of the company you are applying for.
Among a flood of applications, the most interesting CV will be the one that exactly matches the technical knowledge, work experience and requirements sought for the job.
Be succinct and direct
A good CV of a financial profile should be clear, concise, and easy to read. It should be no longer than 3 pages and should only contain the really important information. It should be able to draw attention and make a difference. In terms of visuals, in finance you should favor a more minimalist look. Include your LinkedIn profile link as it is an easy way for recruiters to validate your work history.
Highlight your achievements
Beyond the jobs you've had, go further, and highlight what you've achieved. Emphasize your responsibilities in each role and your achievements. Try to present concrete results that reveal your success in each professional challenge and highlight the positive impact your activities have had in your department or company.
Provide numbers, quantify the achievements
A good tip to grab attention is to use quantitative data, to describe your previous professional experiences. Highlight achievements, awards, or other distinctions. How many products have you sold? How much money did you save? How many employees have you led? That's what can make the difference as a candidate.
In the financial sector it is always an asset to present some information about the companies you have worked for. Namely about the size of the company, location, results, number of employees and type of business. This gives context to your work experience in each role and is particularly important in the case of smaller or less well known companies.
Constant learning
The Finance area values constant learning. Therefore, invest in training and make your CV more attractive to recruiters. The knowledge and mastery of one or more foreign languages is also always a differentiating and valued factor.
In the end, make sure your CV tells your story, in a brief, objective and appealing way. Confirm that you have checked and proofread it completely, with no spelling mistakes. In short, to make your CV stand out from other candidates, never forget that you'll need to tailor it specifically to each of the offers you're applying for. And be aware of the financial health of the company you're applying for. Research and analyse the accounts of the company you're applying for, and let your findings formulate some of the questions you can ask during the interview. A new version of your CV, considering these 5 tips, can help you to get an interview.
