Sample Resume for Entry-Level Finance - Critique

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About this Sample Resume Critique

In this sample resume critique, the certified professional resume writer at ResumeEdge explains the process of creating the client's "after" resume from the original resume or raw data that the client submitted.

Sample Resume Critique

Dear David ~

After carefully studying your material, I chose a "Student" format to best display your skills. This format emphasizes your education over your work experience, which is limited. It also employs the Times New Roman font resulting in a resume that's elegant and uncluttered, with plenty of white space.

I began your new resume by bolding and centering your name, increasing its size until it stood out from the rest of the type. I then separated your contact information, placing your phone number flush left and your email flush right so that a hiring manager could easily locate this data.

In the body of your resume, I began with a Qualifications section, rather than an Objective, which isn't as strong or effective. An objective tells the hiring manager what you want, while a Qualifications section explains what you can do for them. It makes a powerful difference when you put the hiring manager's needs above your own.

In this section, I described you as an enterprising and articulate Investment Banking Candidate, then went on to state your skills. I did say that you possessed the Series 7 and 63 licensing. In your email you said you had acquired the examinations, so if you're not licensed, please let me know.

I also stated that you're professionally affiliated with the NASD. I ended this brief paragraph with your technical skills and stated that you are willing to travel.

In the next section, I detailed your education, projects, and honors, revising some of the text you provided for clarity, conciseness, and maximum impact.

For example, you wrote:

"Researched and analyzed many different investment opportunities that produced the best return. Became the leader in my class for this project."

I revised that to read:

"Chosen as class leader in studying and monitoring diverse investment opportunities to determine which insured the best return." (I brought out your leadership skills first because it shows how enterprising and assertive you are).

In the next section, I listed your Work History under a Professional Experience section. Here, I began each bullet point with the strongest action verb possible, while also rewriting some of the text for clarity and conciseness.

For example, you wrote:

"Answered customers questions about different products and supervised inventory level."

I revised that to read:

"Ensured adequate inventory levels; assisted consumers in purchases."

All decisions to modify data were in keeping with the guidelines and standards set forth by the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW). You now have a powerful tool that's well organized and filled with pertinent data, while also being aesthetically pleasing.

It was a pleasure serving you, David. Best of luck in all your future endeavors.

ResumeEdge Editor
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

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