The Finance Intern Resume: How to Write It & Get Hired

So, you’ve decided that finance is the place for you. Congratulations! Now, all you need is a finance internship resume to kick start your career and you’ll be on your way. This article will explain step-by-step how to write a finance intern resume, including finance intern resume example entries.

Table of Contents

First Things First before You Start Your Finance Intern Resume

The competition for top finance intern spots can be fierce. So, make sure to research the types of finance internships you could pursue. This way, you can write a finance intern resume that will get you noticed for those specific roles.

One of the things I wish I had known when I started out in finance, was how many ways one could go in this field! Here are just a few of the types of companies and settings where you could start out as a finance intern:

  • Main Street Corporate America (small, medium, and large companies, private and public)
  • Sell Side Equity Research or Investment Banking
  • Buy Side Equity Research or Investment Management
  • Wealth Management/Investment Advisory
  • Commercial Banking
  • Public Sector / Government Finance
  • Non-Profit Company Finance

Research all the options and see which areas interest you most. Then you can start making lists of companies in those areas who offer internships and start hunting for internship job openings to which you might wish to apply.

The next crucial step is crafting a finance intern resume that impresses hiring managers and sets you apart from other candidates. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a resume that showcases your skills, accomplishments, and potential, helping you secure that coveted internship position.

1. Understand the Internship Requirements

Before diving into resume writing, it is essential to understand the specific requirements and qualifications for the finance internship you are targeting. So, jump onto Indeed or LinkedIn or efinancialcareers and pull some finance intern job descriptions that appeal to you. Then if you can, print them, and get a highlighter. Or copy paste them somewhere you can review them side by side.

Review the internship description, paying attention to the desired skills, experiences, and qualities. Then look especially for the common items in what they’re seeking. Pay close mind to items they mark as “preferred” or “extra credit” as this will tell you how you could stand out. This will enable you to tailor your resume, highlighting your relevant attributes that align with the internship’s expectations.

2. Write a Powerful Finance Intern Resume Summary Statement

Catch the reader’s attention by starting your finance intern resume with a summary statement. You can write this in a paragraph or a list of bullets but keep it to no more than 3 to 4 sentences. This brief section should introduce yourself, and show your finance-related skills, your educational background, and any notable accomplishments or experiences. Make it clear from the start that you offer the qualities and potential to excel in the finance internship role.

Let’s review a live finance intern resume example:

Finance Intern Resume

3. Highlight Your Education and Coursework

If you haven’t already completed one internship, education is your number one qualification, so it is crucial to showcase your educational background on your finance intern resume. Include details such as your (pending) degree, major, GPA, university, and (pending) graduation date.

Additionally, emphasize any relevant coursework or training you have undertaken, especially in areas such as financial analysis, investment management, financial reporting, economics, risk assessment, statistics, accounting, or corporate finance, among others. You might even consider adding a section called Example Projects and write 2 to 3 bullets about some specific accomplishments. Here is a finance intern resume example bullet:

“Created an Excel model of Outstanding Company’s revenue metrics and sales for Q123 and wrote a 2-page report on the core drivers of results, variance to consensus, and changes to annual forecasts.”

Don’t forget to include any extracurriculars like sports and clubs that demonstrate your natural drive to perform and/or your leadership skills. For instance, did you serve as VP of Finance for your sorority or fraternity? (I did! You bet I included it on my own finance intern resume.)

At this point in your academic career, you could include or not include your high school education. If it’s a particularly distinguished record with some outstanding achievements, include it. If not, feel free to leave it off. Either way, once you enter post-college full time employment, you’ll want to remove it.

4. Showcase Your Finance Skills and Abilities

To stand out, highlight your finance-related skills and abilities in a Skills or Core Competencies section. Include your proficiency in areas such as financial modeling, data analysis, financial planning, budgeting, and proficiency in financial software or tools. Additionally, emphasize skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking, problem-solving, and strong quantitative abilities. A finance intern resume sample skills section might look like this:

Finance Intern Resume Example

5. Emphasize Relevant Experience

While internships are often a way to gain finance experience, any previous work experience, even if not related to finance, can be valuable. Include part-time jobs, volunteer work, or activities that highlight transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, or project management. Additionally, focus on your achievements and duties in these roles, showing your ability to contribute effectively as a finance intern.

Here is a finance intern resume example entry:

Finance Intern Resume Sample

6. Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the Field

To show your dedication and passion for finance, demonstrate your knowledge and involvement in the field. Mention any finance-related certifications, memberships in professional organizations, or participation in finance-related workshops, conferences, or competitions.

For example, if you’ve taken courses outside of your regular schoolwork on key tools, such as Power BI or SQL, these are highly desirable and should be included. This shows your desire for continuous learning and professional development, and it positions you as a candidate who understands the field’s trends and demands.

7. Optimize Your Finance Intern Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

In today’s digital age, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline their hiring process. To ensure your resume gets past the initial screening, optimize it for ATS. Use industry-specific keywords throughout your resume (find these in the job descriptions), especially in the skills and experience sections. This will increase the chances of your resume being recognized and ranked highly by these systems, improving your chances of getting noticed by gatekeepers.

8. Polish Your Resume with Proofreading and Formatting

Before submitting your finance internship resume, take the time to proofread and format it. I’m going to go old school on you here…but it’s time to print this baby out. Why? Because a previous mentor taught me that you will ALWAYS catch more errors when you proofread a printed document. If you’ve given your printer to Goodwill, go to a library, a printing store, wherever you need to go to do this. Trust me. A spelling error is like spilling cold water all over your chances to land the job.

When you’re proofreading, read multiple times for spelling or grammatical errors and ensure consistency and professional formatting. Use bullet points, headings, and subheadings to enhance readability and organize information effectively. A polished and error-free resume reflects your attention to detail, a highly valued, make-or-break trait in finance.

Then, when you think it’s perfect, print out another copy. Hand it to a friend or family member and ask them to proofread it as a second set of eyes. Remember, your finance intern resume is your key to landing an internship in the finance field. By following these steps and crafting a resume that highlights your skills, experiences, and potential, you enhance your chances of standing out and securing that desired internship opportunity.

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