5 Tips for Improving Your Finance CV

Let’s be honest - choosing to work in finance was a brilliant decision. It’s a role with masses of scope, huge potential for development, and one that is always demand. You made a great choice. And if you’ve been working in the recruitment sector, or if you’re thinking about a move to the recruitment sector, that’s another great judgement call you’ve made. The recruitment sector is growing, and any successful recruitment business is built on the foundation of a solid finance department – so there will always be room for top quality finance professionals.

Even with the growing importance of LinkedIn as a networking and job seeking tool, your CV is still a crucial first impression when applying for a job. A well-crafted finance CV showcases your skills and qualifications, gives you an opportunity to articulate your experience, and sets you apart from other candidates.

Whether you're an experienced finance professional looking to climb the ladder or a recent graduate entering the finance field, here are five tips to help you improve your finance CV and increase your chances of landing your next role in a great recruitment company.

1. Tailor Your CV to the Job

The thing about applying for a job at a recruitment company is that you’re working with people who look at CVs all day long. They know what makes a good one, and they know when they’re looking at a generic, one-size-fits-all CV. If you really want to stand out, look for ways to tailor your CV to the job description and the intricacies of working in the recruitment sector.

Show that you understand how commission schemes work, that you have experience of communicating with sales team members regularly, that you’ve processed both perm and contract fees.

This not only demonstrates your genuine interest in the role but also makes it easier for recruiters to see how well you fit the job's criteria.

2. Highlight Quantifiable Achievements

Finance is a numbers-driven field, so it's essential to showcase your achievements in a quantifiable manner. Rather than listing your job responsibilities, focus on accomplishments and the impact you've had in your previous roles.

Use metrics and statistics to quantify your achievements, such as increasing revenue by a certain percentage, reducing costs, or successfully managing a portfolio. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver tangible results – something that recruitment companies really care about!

3. Emphasise Relevant Skills

When you’re in finance (especially at a recruitment company), you need more than just financial analysis skills. Alongside your brilliant budget creation and data analysis abilities, you need a top notch communicator, you need to be great at stakeholder management, you need to be a problem solver.

Use your CV to highlight the technical and soft skills you bring to the table along with evidence of how you’ve applied them in previous roles. Remember to add in any qualifications – your ACA ACCA or CIMA if you have one - that are relevant to the position.

4. Showcase Continuous Learning

The industry is constantly evolving, and employers value candidates who stay updated with trends and developments – both in finance and in recruitment. Show them your commitment to professional growth by including any relevant training you’ve undergone or courses you've completed.

Do you have any memberships in finance-related organisations, do you participate in any industry events? This not only shows that you're dedicated to your career but also that you're equipped to handle the challenges of both finance and recruitment.

5. Keep it Concise and Well-Formatted

Recruiters often have limited time to review resumes, so it's crucial to keep your finance resume concise and easy to read. Try to make it “skimmable”, just highlighting the things that will peak their interest. Aim for a CV length of two pages.

Use a clean, professional format with clear headings and bullet points to make it easy to see your achievements. Proofread carefully – nothing is as off-putting as a CV littered with spelling errors. After all, attention to detail is vital in finance.

Conclusion

Your CV can be the difference between landing your dream role and not. Of course, there are other ways to impress - a great LinkedIn presence, direct outreach, a good reputation, but your CV is your shop window, a place to really display your best assets.. By tailoring your CV to the specific job (and to the recruitment sector), and making it easy for your hiring manager to see your achievements and skills, you're giving yourself the best possible chance of moving forward. Additional extras like showing you care about learning and development, and that you have an eye for detail will help set you apart from other applicants.

Ultimately your CV reflects your qualifications and commitment to your career, so invest the time and effort needed to make it shine.