Financial Analyst Resume: Your Complete Guide

Your financial analyst resume is your first introduction to recruiters, so it needs to demonstrate why you’re the ideal candidate.

A financial analyst resume template can help you choose the ideal structure for your resume. Plus, Rocket Resume’s financial analyst templates come with recruiter-suggested phrasing so you can impress recruiters.

If you’re wondering what to include in your resume, keep reading. We’ll break down the essential components of a strong resume, how to adapt a resume template, and key tips for customizing your resume to different companies.

General Tips for Financial Analyst Resumes

Before we look at the must-include information, let’s explore some general resume dos and don’ts.

Tailoring the resume to the financial analyst job description resume is critical. Remember, this is the employer’s description of their ideal candidate. Make sure you include all the required skills and traits they took the time to mention.

In particular, use financial analyst resume keywords to help you make it past machine-readers. Include the exact same phrasing as the job description, e.g. don’t change “detail-oriented” to “attention to detail.”

Further, avoid squeezing in extra information at the expense of white space. Use standard margins, line spacing, and font size. Bullet points will help you highlight relevant experience and education. Opt for a conservative font, such as Arial or Times New Roman. If in doubt, copy the formatting from a financial analyst sample resume.

Essential Components of a Financial Analyst Resume Template

This financial analyst sample resume includes all the essential sections. You can use it as a base to start developing your own resume.

Annie Example

annie.example@gmail.com

(123) 456-7890

linkedin.com/annieexample

Professional Summary

CFA chartered financial analyst with volunteer experience in the environmental charity sector looking to develop a career in ecotech finance.

Skills

• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Business valuation
• Risk analysis
• Financial modeling
• Budget variance

Experience

Financial Analyst, JL Insurance, September 2020–present

• Analyze risk faced by clients’ businesses
• Propose insurance rates based on risk and business value analysis
• Improve annual profit margins by 6% through accurate risk analysis

Education

University of San Francisco

Master of Science in Financial Analysis

California State University, Los Angeles

Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Certifications and Licenses

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, CFA Institute

Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities

Volunteer Financial Analyst, Greener Earth Organization, January 2022–present

• Develop financial models
• Deliver proposals leading to a 15% reduction in expenses in the last 12 months

Tips for Writing Each Section of the Financial Analyst Resume Template

Our financial analyst resume example above, along with our resume builder, will help you structure your own resume.

But for a resume that’s bound to impress potential employers, take these tips and tricks into account.

Contact Details

Use your name as your financial analyst resume header, and then beneath that, add your contact details. Include your email address and phone number. You can also add your LinkedIn profile.

Your address is optional, and resume space is at a premium, so we recommend only including it if the job listing requires you to be in a certain location.

Details you should leave out include your date of birth, age, profile photo, and any protected characteristics, such as ethnicity or disability.

Professional Summary or Objective Statement

When writing a resume summary for financial analyst jobs, use this space to briefly explain who you are and what career goals you have. Be concise: aim to write no more than three sentences.

Skip your pronouns to save space. Start each sentence with a noun, verb, or adjective, such as “Financial analyst,” “Detail-oriented graduate,” or “Looking to.” You can also review resume profile examples for financial analysts for inspiration, if needed.

Skills Section

The skills section is your chance to show that you’re capable of carrying out the role. Include a bullet-point list of four to eight skills and again, make sure to include the skills mentioned in the job listing.

Key technical skills for a financial analyst resume may include IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), business valuation, risk analysis, data analysis, forecasting and financial modeling, budget variance, and asset management.

That said, don’t overlook the importance of soft skills. Recruiters are also impressed by teamwork, attention to detail, communication skills, and diligence.

Education Section

When listing your education, include your school’s name and your degree or certificate title. You don’t need to include your GPA unless it’s 3.5 or higher and you have fewer than two years of experience. You can leave out the year you graduated, too.

You’ll notice that our financial analyst sample resume above placed the education section below the experience section. That’s because our fictional financial analyst already has a career in the industry. If you’re a recent graduate, however, and you lack relevant experience, you may want to place the education section above the experience section.

Experience Section

Whether you’re writing a senior financial analyst resume or entry level financial analyst resume, the experience section of your resume should demonstrate that you have the skills required for the role. Under each role, include a bullet-point list detailing important responsibilities and accomplishments.

For a financial analyst resume with no experience, make sure to highlight transferable skills in previous roles. You can review an entry level financial analyst resume sample or use a resume builder that will suggest relevant skills to help with this.

If you have a lot of career gaps, you could also consider writing a functional resume. This resume style focuses on your skills instead of your career history. Use a functional financial analyst resume example for ideas on how to structure your own resume.

Remember that your resume should fit onto one page. This is relatively easy when writing a junior financial analyst resume. However, more experienced analysts may struggle. For older or less impressive roles, include fewer details. If you look at a senior financial analyst resume sample, you’ll likely see that some roles don’t include any bullet points.

Certifications and Licenses Section

If you’re a certified financial analyst or accountant, add that information here. Include the certificate title in full, with the abbreviation in parentheses, followed by the name of the awarding body. If the license expires, state the expiration date.

Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities Section

This section is optional, so only include it if your volunteer experiences or hobbies are applicable to the role you’re applying for. While recruiters are more interested in your professional experience, sharing relevant hobbies can support your application if you’re trying to move into a different sector.

How to Customize Your Financial Analyst Resume Template for Specific Jobs

You’ll need to tailor your resume to the role and company if you want to be invited to interview. Analyze the job posting to identify the skills and qualifications recruiters value most.

Pay close attention to the objective statement, skills, and experience sections when customizing your resume. For example, for a real estate financial analyst resume, you could include “debt and equity modeling” as a key skill. Consider using a more specialized financial analyst resume template, too.

Additional Tips and Tricks for Crafting a Strong Financial Analyst Resume

By now you’ve built and customized your resume, but treat this document as a first draft rather than the final copy.

Re-read your resume looking for ways to quantify your skills and achievements. For example, you could add “Delivered risk analysis that reduced losses by 21%.”

Print your resume and check that it’s still visually attractive in grayscale. It’s easy to find a snazzy financial analyst resume example online, but in this industry, it’s better to play it safe. Avoid graphics, columns, and different colored fonts that may interfere with today’s commonly used application tracking systems (ATSs).

Do a final proofread and check your file name. We recommend “Your Name Resume” to help recruiters locate your materials.

Finally, click send on your application. Don’t forget to follow up after submitting your resume. It will help you stand out from other applicants.

How to Apply for Financial Analyst Jobs

Successfully applying for financial analyst roles requires a mixture of good job-hunting skills, a targeted resume, and plenty of pre-interview preparation.

1. Job Hunting

Start with a thorough job search. Use job search engines such as LinkedIn and Indeed, along with more specialized sites like FinanceJobs.net, to find openings that match your skills and interests. Tailor your search with keywords such as “financial analyst,” “finance,” and “financial planning.”

Set some time aside for online and in-person networking, too. Connecting with industry professionals can open doors to opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised.

2. Job Application

When you've found roles that interest you, use a financial analyst resume template to craft your resume. Our resume templates come with recruiter-approved phrasing for key financial analyst skills, plus they can be easily scanned by an ATS. Our resume builder will also help you highlight your skills, experience, and education so you can demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the role.

If the job posting asks for a cover letter, make sure that’s also tailored to the role and company. Explain how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements. Take your time here, as a well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other applicants.

3. Interview Preparation

Once you’ve been invited to an interview, research the company. Make sure you understand their values and are aware of their recent news. This will help you adapt your responses during the interview.

You should also practice common interview questions ahead of the interview. While you can't predict every question, being familiar with typical financial analyst questions will boost your confidence. Develop anecdotes using the STAR — situation, task, action, result — model to help you answer behavioral and situational questions, such as “Describe a time you made a mistake and how you learned from it.”

With your polished resume and your thorough interview preparation, you’ll set yourself up for job-hunting success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to Write an Objective in a Resume for a Financial Analyst

When writing your objective statement for your financial analyst resume, keep it short and sweet. Aim for two to three sentences that outline your skills, experience level, and career objectives. Make sure these align with the role you’re applying for.

How to Highlight a Resume for a Financial Analyst Position

Highlight financial analyst skills and accomplishments on your resume by using bullet points, strong verbs such as “delivered” and “led,” and include numerical evidence of your achievements, where possible.

How to Make a Financial Analyst Resume

Make your financial analyst resume by selecting a professional and polished resume template, then adapting it to your skills and experiences. Don’t forget to customize it for the company and role you’re applying for.

What Should a Financial Analyst Resume Be Like?

The ideal financial analyst resume will be attractively presented, easy to read for computers and humans alike and, most importantly, tailored to the role, company, and team you’re applying for.

How to Write a Financial Analyst Resume

Write your financial analyst resume in 10 minutes by using a machine-readable resume template from Rocket Resume and then customizing it. Make sure to tailor the template to your own experiences and skill sets, as well as the company and job description you’re applying for.

What to Include on a Resume for a Financial Analyst

When writing a resume for a financial analyst position, include your contact details, objective statement, skills, education, work experience, and any certifications or licenses you hold. If you’ve got volunteer or extracurricular experience that’s relevant to the role, you can also include them.

Sample Resume for Senior Financial Analyst Which Includes Budget vs. Actual

Our sample resumes for senior financial analyst roles contain recruiter-approved phrasing for key skills and responsibilities, including budget vs actual variance analysis.

How to Highlight Excel Experience: Financial Analyst Resume

Highlight your Excel experience on your financial analyst resume by including it in a list of skills beneath your objective summary. If you have any Excel certifications, such as the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert, make sure to state that as well.

Ready to begin crafting your financial analyst resume? Review our samples and let our resume builder guide you through the process. You’ll be able to craft an eye-catching resume in minutes, so get started now.