Resume Skills
The most in-demand skills that recruiters look for
What are Resume Skills?
The resume skills required in the financial services job market are rapidly increasing and growing in complexity. This is due, in part, to the technological advancements that make companies lean toward the latest tech tools that make tasks easier to manage. However, the challenge is the increasing skill gap between what candidates offer and what recruiters are looking for.
Are you interested in becoming an accountant, investment banker, or analyst in a hedge fund firm? No matter what job you want to apply for, opportunities will open for you if you can bridge the gap and demonstrate the required finance knowledge and technical know-how.
Top Resume Skills
With so many applicants who want to land a job in the finance industry, how can you stand out and get noticed by recruiters? Aside from having a relevant educational background and certifications, make sure to have the right resume skills.
Here are some of the in-demand resume skills that recruiters look for:
#1 Financial reporting
Companies in the finance industry need professionals who can create various comprehensive financial reports with accuracy. If you include in your resume skills building financial reports and extracting valuable insights from them, employers will note that you have the ability to produce accurate reports.
#2 IT software knowledge
Technology is rapidly evolving and finding skilled talent that can adapt to technological changes can be hard to find. That’s why you need to possess strong working knowledge of financial software and the ability to keep up with the latest in the technology. By doing so, you will gain a competitive advantage. You can be a more valuable candidate if you are proficient with database management systems and software, including Excel and SAP.
#3 Problem-solving
Various factors affect the finance industry, making it unpredictable. You may bring in solid finance knowledge, but that will not help you if you can’t quickly adapt to changes and face complex problems. You can demonstrate such resume skills by sharing a problem that you’ve encountered in your previous job and what you did to overcome it.
#4 Management experience
It may not be an essential skill if you’re applying for an analyst or associate role but management experience is highly desirable. After a few years, you may be considered for a managerial position and handle teams.
#5 Interpersonal skills
Gone are the days when finance professionals mind their own work in their cubicles. Nowadays, work involves dealing with clients, third parties, and colleagues across the organization. Interpersonal skills are essential, particularly in positions in investment banking and accounting where you need to establish good relationships with customers.
#6 Leadership skills
Recruiters prefer candidates who show the potential to fill senior roles in the future. If you have experience in leading a team in your previous job and note that as one of your resume skills, it tells recruiters that you have what it takes to take on a more senior role down the line.
During the interview, you can share stories of past work experiences where you led a group of people. This skill also means you can handle tasks and special projects with little supervision.
#7 Analytical ability
The finance industry deals with large volumes of data, so finance professionals need to have the ability to handle data, extract insights from reports, and come up with recommendations. You must be able to demonstrate financial analysis skills with KPI-driven results if you want to achieve a long-term career in the industry.
Related Readings
Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to resume skills. CFI is the official provider of the Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™ certification program, designed to transform anyone into a world-class financial analyst. To keep learning and advancing your career, we highly recommend the following additional resources:
