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Finance Personal Statement Examples

5 Finance CV Examples | How to write a CV for finance jobs [with finance CV writing tips]

If you want to work in the finance industry, you have to learn how to write a finance CV.

Finance is a large and competitive industry, and if your CV doesn’t stand out, you aren’t going to land the interview. Your generic CV just isn’t going to cut it.

• Finance CV Example

• Experienced finance professional with a proven track record in senior leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of international self-accounting.
• Results-oriented, self-motivated and positive.
• Proven ability to think laterally and a pro-actively.
• Provided coaching and strategic guidance to executive committee
• Identified new ways to increase the top line revenues through cost containment, revenue enhancement, and profit improvement opportunities.

Work Experience

Director of finance.

Intellectsoft

• Establishing and maintaining financial policies, procedures, controls and reporting systems for various companies.
• Reporting on financial conditions to the Board of Directors and Executive Officers for multiple companies.
• Managing and responsible for cash flow and budgets for companies from $20m to $23m.
• Reducing expenses by $80k annually through training of supplies usage.
• Analyzing profitability of two departments resulting enclosures with annual savings of $70k.
• Helping to reduce operating budget by $540k by combining positions and departmental organization.
• Creating interactive budgets for various operational departments to determine the cost of services provided to improve profitability.
• Recovering $250k in unknown account receivables by means of audit and identified unrecognized revenues of $10k.
• Training Accounts Receivable department in customer follow-up best practices to reduced receivables by $20k per month.
• Directing and overseeing cost and general accounting, accounts receivable/payable and payroll departments.
• Providing management of property maintenance including HUD properties.
• Bridging the communication gap between the operations team and the finance team.

Senior Finance Manager

iTechArt Group

• P&L responsibility for a $186MM Market Unit including four production facilities and six satellite warehouses.
• Executed pricing strategies across a multi-segmented market resulting in 5% annual revenue-per-case growth.
• Led Market Unit to 5% Operating Profit growth each year during four year tenure.
• Directed and managed the Annual Operating Plan process for the Market Unit; developed financial targets and strategies consistent with national growth priorities.
• Fostered business literacy across all functional levels through coaching, disciplined forecasting processes and periodic financial reviews.
• Coached and mentored multiple Finance Interns; responsible for onboarding and career development.

Assistant Financial Controller

Magneto IT Solutions

• Implemented all necessary controls to safeguard operations.
• Introduced purchasing and payroll control procedures to deliver monthly expenses and cost targets.
• Trained everyone in the accounting department to do multiple tasks
• Developed onboarding processes for new junior accountants.
• Responsible for preparing and presenting financial and management reports.
• Recipient of Minor International’s President Award of Excellence in Finance and Accounting.

MBA, Finance

American University

BBA, Accounting and Finance

Taylor's University

• Back office systems
• People Soft
• Web Prolific
• MPC - Finance Studio
• Front office systems
• Inventory systems
• Core Competencies
• Risk Management
• Payroll Management
• Strategic Planning
• Financial Processing
• Procurement Management
• Human Resource Management
• Budgets and Management Reporting
• Office & Administrative Management
• Security and Emergency Procedures
• Finance Manager CV

• Senior Finance Manager CV

• Experienced Finance CV

• Finance Officer CV

Your finance CV has to be perfect for the job you’re applying for. To make sure you pick the right finance CV template and highlight the right skills, make sure to follow these steps:

• 1. Pick a great finance CV template

If you want your application to be successful, pick a great finance CV template.

Your CV’s appearance is just as important as your work experience. If your CV is ugly or confusing, no one will read it, even if your skills are perfect for the job.

Further, your CV template needs to suit the industry. The finance industry tends to be formal, so a traditional CV template is your best choice. This means you should look for a CV template with a readable typeface, clearly defined CV sections, and a subtle colour scheme.

When you pick your finance CV template, use a traditional CV template like ATS , Standard , or Corporate .

• 2. Write a great finance CV summary

Your CV summary is your elevator pitch to an employer. A CV Summary is a short section right at the top of your CV that sells you as a candidate as efficiently as possible. With only a few sentences or bullet points, a great summary can list your job title, highlight a few key experiences or achievements, and demonstrate your most impressive skills.

A great summary for a finance CV should focus on the skills most directly relevant to the industry and to the specific role you are interested in. Try to highlight your most impressive finance-specific skills, whether they’re your proficiency with accounting tools, your client management abilities, or your financial planning achievements.

Depending on your career history and your desired role, the experiences you feature may include a paragraph like:

A results-driven and self-motivated financial professional with 5+ experience handling key financial data. Noted for the ability to manage complex assignments effectively, with the confidence to work as a part of a team or independently. Experience leading intercultural teams and building strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Responsible for balancing all accounts at the end of the financial year. Committed, hands-on and flexible with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain a positive attitude and a strong work ethic.

• 3. Perfect your work experience

The Work Experience section is the most important part of a finance CV. This is where you can showcase your skills and achievements in past roles. For a successful application, your Work Experience section needs to be perfect.

Write your work experience in reverse-chronological order (unless you have very good reasons not to ), beginning with your most recent position and working backwards in order.

Throughout each job description in your Work Experience section, emphasize the skills and achievements that are most relevant to the position you’re applying to. Even if previous positions weren’t in the finance industry, try to feature the transferable skills that will still be useful in a finance position.

As you write about your past roles, make sure to use active language to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Instead of saying you were “responsible for preparing financial forecasts using new models”, say that you “Spearheaded implementation of new financial forecasting models that improved accuracy and efficiency”. Phrase all of your experiences and accomplishments in a way that demonstrates leadership and initiative. The way you describe your experience is almost as important as the experience itself.

You should also use measurable achievements to showcase your skills as much as possible. Your experience will be extra impressive if you can measure your success with numbers. Sales figures, customer acquisition data, and revenue generation are all great ways to demonstrate your abilities. Any skill or accomplishment that can be easily expressed with numbers is a great item to feature on your CV.

Accounts Supervisor

• Ensured that cost accrual standards were maintained across all teams.
• Monitored invoicing staff and ensured proper procedures were enforced.
• Reviewed all invoices for appropriate documentation and approval prior to payment.
• Verified and approved payment of invoicing staff salaries.
• Assisted Finance Manager with monthly reports and disbursement accounts.
• Assisted Finance Manager in preparing year-end financial reports and statements.
• Deputized in absence of Finance Manager.
• Corresponded with local vendors and customers.
• Accrued costs related to the loading and discharging of shipments.
• Conducting physical inventories and monitoring stock levels.

• 4. Showcase your finance CV skills

Your finance CV isn’t complete without a robust Skills section. You need to pick out your most relevant and impressive skills and feature them prominently.

The best way to showcase your finance CV skills is with a simple bulleted list. This gives the ATS a clear heading and list it can scan for necessary skills, and makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly scan the list and see what you specialize in.

• Microsoft Excel
• Account reconciliation
• Financial planning
• Budgets & KPIs
• Investment Appraisals
• Management Reporting
• Risk assessment
• Microsoft Excel (Power BI, Power Pivots, DAX, etc.)
• Accounts payable
• Accounts receivable

For added flair, you can add strength ratings to your skills so they really stand out.

• 5. Show your education

Your education is an important part of your finance career. The Education section in your CV should not take up much space, but it’s still important to showcase your academic credentials.

If you’ve been working in finance for a few years, all your Education section needs is a few lines noting your degree, school name, and the year you graduated.

Bachelor of Commerce University of Pennsylvania

If you’re a recent graduate , or haven’t been in the finance industry for long, your Education section can be longer. If you don’t have much experience, your Education section might be your best opportunity to showcase your skills. When you don’t have enough work experience to fill out your CV, you can add more details to your Education section, like classes, specializations, or important projects.

• 6. Customize your CV

Make sure your finance CV is optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems . Applicant tracking systems are software programs that accept CVs and sort them according to how well they match the job description. When you apply through an ATS, it will scan your CV for the skills the company is looking for.

To make sure your CV beats the ATS, customize your CV for every job you apply for. To do this, study the job posting and make note of all the specific skills they’re looking for, then feature those exact skills in your CV. The ATS will scan your CV looking for those skills, so make sure your phrasing is just like the job posting. Your CV will make it past the ATS when it perfectly fits the job requirements.

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

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How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. You've already included your jobs and experience , and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add.

This is when you need to utilize a personal statement at the top of your CV.

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples] 

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement.

This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.

Why do I Need a Personal Statement?

A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants.

This statement summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents . The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job. 

Even med students need a medical school personal statement , as it is what differentiates them from all the other students applying. Plus, it allows them to share their personal stories and objectives.

Where do I Start? 

Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly.

Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value you’ll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that. 

Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. It’s important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50-200 words will do.

Don’t forget that you have your whole cover letter to show some personality and include engaging content.

The personal statement should be a quick summary that highlights why you are the best person for the job. 

You’ll need to decide whether you are writing your personal statement in first- or third-person. This should follow how you've written the rest of your CV.

For example, if you've already written, “I grew and developed a team of 50 salespeople,” in your CV then you will want to keep your personal statement in first-person to match the prevailing style.

No matter what you choose, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout. Do not switch between first- and third-person as that will get confusing to the hiring manager.

Writing a personal statement for your CV in first-person does not mean you need to start every sentence with “I.”

There are ways to craft your personal statement to sound snappy, concise and personal, and here are a few examples to help inspire your personal statement. 

CV Personal Statement Examples

It doesn’t matter what chose as your desired career or how much experienc e you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement.

You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience.

If these examples don’t fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch. 

#1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV

“As a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast-paced, professional environment.”

Explanation: This example should be customized to include the university you’ve graduated from and any relevant internships. A compelling personal statement always highlights relevant skills and experiences.

In this case, a recent graduate does not have extensive experience in the workforce, so soft skills like experiencing success in a fast-paced work environment and becoming a trusted team member become even more critical.

#2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV

“A highly motivated and experienced office administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis.”

Explanation: After time off from a career, it can be hard to break back into the market. This personal statement outlines the reason for the break, the relevant qualifications and what the applicant has been doing in between jobs.

Any volunteer experience becomes highly relevant when there is no concrete professional experience to draw upon, to demonstrate the use of those skills. 

#3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV

“With over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high-functioning sales teams that consistently achieve budget numbers. In fact, my ability to grow talent led to a 20% increase in annual renewals across the board. Now, after 15 years, I am seeking new challenges to flex my marketing muscles in a fast-paced environment.” 

Explanation: When changing careers , it's essential to highlight skills that are transferable between industries.

In this case, leadership and team-building experience can apply to any industry. Homing in on concrete numbers and percentages increases credibility when applying for a position.

The applicant ends with the reason behind the desired career change. This part is not necessary but may be appealing to some hiring managers who are wondering what the impetus for the career change.

#4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV

“As a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand student’s needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. I’ve worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.”

Explanation: With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft. 

A personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position.

You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement. 

If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the table, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.  

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume  [With Tips + Tricks]
• How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

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Finance Graduate Resume Sample

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Work Experience

• Completes financial analysis for assigned areas draws conclusions from analysis; complete core data and process reconciliations that flow into Financial reporting
• Assists in department to department functional and strategic understanding through the rotational experience and collaborative nature of the role
• Completes and updates accurate presentations and communications that are received and communicated to key senior HSBC stake holders and senior managers for their use in detailing and communicating financial information about HSBC
• Partner with national account managers and others to support future forecasting, retailer analysis and more
• Seek out decision makers and influencers. Create positive working relationships across all levels of the business
• Accountability for all business processes related to the position, for example accounts receivable, legal, customer service, and all related administrative due diligence
• St Mission: From September 2018 – 12 months – Corporate Performance Management Project Leader in France (Lyon)
• Nd Mission: 6 months – Junior Controller (Europe, North and South America, Asia...)
• Compliance & Process Governance
• Financing & Treasury
• As we look for high numerical and analytical competency we are particularly interested to hear from graduates in business studies, economics, sciences and engineering (Grade: 2.1 and above). Numerate graduates in arts and creative subjects are also encouraged to apply
• We are looking for candidates who demonstrate leadership and commercial skills during internships / placements or during extra-curricular activities
• Fluency in English is required and knowledge of a second foreign language is preferable but not essential
• We are looking for graduates who are curious and have a desire to grow and develop
• Management Reporting & Budgeting
• To take part in monthly closures and be involved in budget operational management and its follow-ups
• To provide KPI’s, monthly reports, and sales/expenses weekly reports
• To support forecasting and issue various reporting’s
• To assist in a few audits and processes drafting
• To take part in various projects with the team
• Rd mission:6 months – International Financial Auditor (Europe, North and South America, Asia...)
• Desire to work in pharma
• Accounting & Financial Analysis
• Cash Flow Generation

Professional Skills

• Exceptional communication skills, strong interpersonal, team building and negotiation skills
• Strong leadership, motivational and interpersonal skills capable of building strong working relationships
• Strong numerically with excellent analytical and decision-making skills
• Strong analytical skills and keen eye for detail
• Able to develop financial models and strong analytical skills
• Excellent Interpersonal/Communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Demonstrated strong working knowledge of Excel

How to write Finance Graduate Resume

Finance Graduate role is responsible for leadership, analytical, excel, training, travel, manufacturing, reporting, trading, security, procurement. To write great resume for finance graduate job, your resume must include:

• Your contact information
• Work experience
• Skill listing

Contact Information For Finance Graduate Resume

The section contact information is important in your finance graduate resume. The recruiter has to be able to contact you ASAP if they like to offer you the job. This is why you need to provide your:

• First and last name
• Telephone number

Work Experience in Your Finance Graduate Resume

The section work experience is an essential part of your finance graduate resume. It’s the one thing the recruiter really cares about and pays the most attention to. This section, however, is not just a list of your previous finance graduate responsibilities. It's meant to present you as a wholesome candidate by showcasing your relevant accomplishments and should be tailored specifically to the particular finance graduate position you're applying to. The work experience section should be the detailed summary of your latest 3 or 4 positions.

Representative Finance Graduate resume experience can include:

• Excellent Excel skills (spreadsheet development, formula creation, vlookups, pivots, macros, etc.)
• Put in practice soft & leadership skills through the FGP Pillars
• Demonstrates creative thinking when solving problems, establishes the issue and options available and has confidence in decision making
• Support in month-end closing activities and consolidation reporting to our Headquarters
• Demonstrates a positive attitude, focuses on a ‘can do’ way of thinking, and is willing to accept new challenges as no two days are the same
• Experienced in developing presentations and summarizing findings

Education on a Finance Graduate Resume

Make sure to make education a priority on your finance graduate resume. If you’ve been working for a few years and have a few solid positions to show, put your education after your finance graduate experience. For example, if you have a Ph.D in Neuroscience and a Master's in the same sphere, just list your Ph.D. Besides the doctorate, Master’s degrees go next, followed by Bachelor’s and finally, Associate’s degree.

Additional details to include:

• School you graduated from
• Major/ minor
• Year of graduation
• Location of school

These are the four additional pieces of information you should mention when listing your education on your resume.

Professional Skills in Finance Graduate Resume

When listing skills on your finance graduate resume, remember always to be honest about your level of ability. Include the Skills section after experience.

Present the most important skills in your resume, there's a list of typical finance graduate skills:

• Uses an effective planning process and good time management to achieve task completion, utilising time effectively
• Have very good computer skills
• Academic excellence with strong numerical and analytical skills
• Extensive experience in MS Office (Good working knowledge of Excel)
• Management training to develop leadership skills
• Interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills to allow for mutual understanding of problems and business needs

List of Typical Experience For a Finance Graduate Resume

Experience for finance graduate program resume.

• Producing cash flow forecasts for periods over 3 months into the future
• Providing commentary on monthly forecast variances
• Communicating with the Commercial team to understand and anticipate P&L performance
• Produce on-going analysis as required to support the business’ understanding of its revenue, price, mix, margin and wider commercial performance
• Highly adaptable, proactively seeking out feedback and taking the initiative to improve
• Can be a key positive influencer within the wider finance team, encouraging team work and cross functional collaboration
• The ambition to succeed in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
• Aircraft acquisition and leasing

Experience For Finance Graduate Programme Resume

• Monthly presentation of the product P&L’s including creation of slides to support the story and provide discussion action points on areas of concern
• Results-oriented, entrepreneurial and self-motivating mindset
• Assist with project cost control, invoicing and cash management
• Work with both Finance and Business colleagues to help drive growth and support the ongoing profitability of project delivery
• Serve as Finance Graduate for the South and Souther Africa business, covering 12
• Maintain filing of relevant documents

Experience For Accounting & Finance Graduate Resume

• Preparation of monthly Aspen journals including sales recon
• Preparation of the Advertising & Promotion (A&P) expense tracker and the Opex tracker on a monthly basis
• Submission of HCP reporting on a quarterly basis
• Completion and acknowledgement of relevant SOP’s and e-learning
• Support commercial projects from Emerging Markets perspective
• Assist Commercial Finance partner in managing risks noted on the Risk register
• Back orders / stock on hand reporting
• OTIF (On Time In Full) reporting

Experience For Finance Graduate Development Program Traineeat CDW Careers Resume

• Analysis of tax law and application to Amazon’s facts and filing requirements
• Weekly P&L forecasts and rolling monthly forecasts
• Work with leading edge tools and applications
• Thrives in a dynamic working environment and works well under pressure
• Confident in using with ease Microsoft Excel
• 1st step: telephone screening
• A broad flexible benefits programme including the option to buy additional holidays, private health care, Contributory Pension Scheme and life assurance
• Fiscal year ending January 2017

Experience For Finance Graduate Opportunity Resume

• Fiscal year ending January 2018
• Project accounting on a project site
• A suite of development activities to enhance your tailor-made training programme
• Assist the Accountant to make entries in Rascal, for all withholding taxes deducted by customers
• Ensure that withholding tax credit certificates are monitored and received on time
• Ensure that a log is maintained for all withholding tax credit certificates received and paid to GRA

Experience For Finance Graduate Development Program Resume

• Knowledge of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
• Results orientated and commitment to achieving objectives
• Self-starter with ability to work autonomously, as well as being flexible
• Full training/development programme
• Year 3 – Group Risk role; six months’ at IMI’s Global Headquarters in Birmingham and six months’ in one of the trading businesses
• Data capture and analysis
• Support the commercial functions in developing and maintaining ‘lead’ KPIs in areas such as pipeline size, opportunity conversion rates, opportunity closure lead times and churn rates

Experience For Finance Graduate / Intern Resume

• Exhibits flexibility and actively seeks new ways to grow and be challenged
• Is curios to understand business performance with an analytical mind able to translate this into insights for others
• Has courage to challenge and hold self and others accountable; and
• Is disciplined in approach to quality, attention to detail and is focused on delivery
• The motivation for career progression
• A high record of achievement and delivery
• Assist in necessary analysis in relevance to the monthly accounting, for example: monthly analysis of accounts, analysis of intragroup’s (balance sheet accounts, income statement), comparison of monthly budget / monthly production
• Produce insightful analysis of trends and present the info to drive strategy decisions

Experience For Last Call International Operations Finance Graduate Resume

• Assist in providing accurate, relevant and reliable month end figures for each cost center including customer service, logistics, sales, marketing, finance & IT
• Locations for these openings are in Parsippany, NJ and Salt Lake City, UT
• Account Reconciliation Preparation and Balance Sheet Analysis
• Support strategic cost initiatives, and deliver ad hoc financial analysis for customized data and reports in a knowledgeable and flexible manner to aid in business decisions
• Supporting Transfer Pricing, understanding the transfer pricing policies and building relationships with overseas offices
• Act as a liaison for vendors to reconcile any billing discrepancies
• Prepare and present regular reports about company finances including revenue, budgets, and expenditures
• Proficient use of financial systems and analysis tools including Microsoft Office
• Preparation of Commercial Margin Analysis Review to support Business decisions

Experience For Finance Graduate Internship Resume

• Ah hoc requests as required
• Reconciliation of unidentified cash
• Partner with the Finance Manager and Client Business Manager team to improve accountability & foster efficiencies
• Develop and drive execution of strategies, tactics, measurable implementation plans across multiple brands
• Summarize complexity and drive clarity and stakeholder alignment
• Assist with monthly accounting processes, for example: monthly analysis of client delivery accounts, variance analysis to budget and forecast, analysis of balance sheet entries
• Support initiatives to help the business secure new income streams and to sustain and grow shareholder returns
• To ensure quality financial processes, systems and tools are introduced and maintained to support the businesses cross functional teams
• To provide financial control and monthly analysis of actual results vs budgets and forecasts

Experience For AMP Accounting & Finance Graduate Resume

• Prepare remittance advices for all payments made to distributors
• Set-up process for the monthly reconciliation of creditor balances and perform monthly distributor reconciliations
• Preparation of monthly headcount report
• Assist with commentary for the monthly analysis of Opex
• Assist with IPT responsibilities
• Ensure that there are SOPs / Knowledge Documents to support the systems and processes
• Perform L1 and L2 testing as required by the annual testing plan requirements and compile reports which document the procedure and outcomes of testing performed

List of Typical Skills For a Finance Graduate Resume

Skills for finance graduate program resume.

• Have strong technical skills along with an ability to analyze and draw conclusions from complex data
• Has excellent presentation and interpersonal skills
• Team orientation and well developed communication skills
• Demonstrated strong leadership capabilities via extra-curricular activities
• Meet tight deadlines, prioritise workload and achieve effective results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Communicates openly, with the ability to effectively communicate with non-finance people

Skills For Finance Graduate Programme Resume

• Supporting the WW QA and product management Consolidations and presentations – Actuals and forecast cycles
• Highly motivated candidates who want to succeed and are willing to demonstrate commitment and leadership
• Is an experienced user of Microsoft Excel (knowledge of other reporting tools is an asset)
• Experienced user of Microsoft Excel (knowledge of other reporting tools is an asset)
• Max 2 year working experience
• Work experience relevant to finance or accounting preferable

Skills For Accounting & Finance Graduate Resume

• Working experience
• Fresh graduates/graduate with less than 1 year of working experience
• Experience with JDE system (not essential)
• Strong communicator both upwards, downwards and within the wider business
• Strong leadership and relationship builder
• Strong intellectual curiosity and bias for action
• Able to work multi priorities and projects simultaneously
• Ideally a placement year in industry or summer placement, and 12 months’ post-graduate work experience
• Extracurricular experience in positions that require analysis

Skills For Finance Graduate Development Program Traineeat CDW Careers Resume

• Experience in Excel (basic functions i.e., sum, if, pivots, lookups)
• Proven ability to develop new ideas and solutions
• Have strong academic record
• Strong level of commitment and ambition
• Proven interest in digital/analytics
• Capability to cope with multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines

Skills For Finance Graduate Opportunity Resume

• Collecting, analysing and reviewing quantitative data and creating meaningful reports to drive business improvement and cost reductions
• Planning and Reporting in Sales, Marketing & Supply Chain as well as to Region
• Budgeting and business planning
• Outstanding technical accounting background
• Supporting Intercompany activities and liaising with COE teams in various geographical locations
• Processing pricing/delivery/promotional claims

Skills For Finance Graduate Development Program Resume

• Raising credit notes relating to claims
• Supporting the Standards Setting process
• Forecasting and budgeting process
• Supporting the Nordic finance team
• Overseeing the SOx team’s administrative tasks
• Excelling within a team environment
• Starting professional Qualification – CIMA / ACCA
• Providing advice and insights

Skills For Finance Graduate / Intern Resume

• Chasing repayment of invoice disputes with customers
• Working with the Sales Department to prevent price claims
• Supporting Annual Audit Process and Financial Statement Preparation
• Supporting Preparation of Monthly Operations Review Files
• Chasing payment of invoices
• Running Reports (weekly & monthly basis)
• Visiting internal staff and external customers to discuss progress on accounts
• Ensuring accuracy of all entries and Reconciliations in accordance with GAAP, Compliance, Internal Audit and SOX requirements

Skills For Last Call International Operations Finance Graduate Resume

• Supporting Master Data Maintenance
• Auditing group entities at a global level (7-8 audits per year, in various group subsidiaries across all geographical zones)
• Reporting of actual v’s forecast for Ireland & Singapore capital actuals and provide variance analysis of same
• Supporting the Forecast the local FAA and provisions during a Forecast and current Thinking Cycle
• Identifying Cost Saving opportunities by looking at creative ideas

Skills For Finance Graduate Internship Resume

• Participating in additional projects above and beyond his/her daily activities
• Preparing entries/reports/schedules needed to complete a timely financial close
• Performance Reporting: preparing monthly management reports and working with various Finance Managers on weekly value add reporting based on contract drivers
• Assist in providing ad-hoc financial support for cost center managers, for example: supporting business case justifications and scenario modeling
• Responsible for SA and SnA payment process, month-end reporting, assisting with SA and SnA planning activities and all other day to day requirements
• Divisional level management accounting and reporting
• Corporate reporting taxation and accounting
• Support in closing and financial planning (Forecast & Budget) construction

Skills For AMP Accounting & Finance Graduate Resume

• To provide financial support to the annual forecasting and budgeting processes
• Pro-actively follow up with distributors, regarding outstanding documents
• Assist the SA Finance business partner with the monthly forecasting and annual budgeting of headcount, capex and depreciation of new capex
• Assist in preparing and communicating the information and analysis with business
• Process specialized information, reports, and forms for fees, billing, project tracking, etc
• Finance Business Improvement: Conduct contract health checks, documentation of processes, systems training and developing the finance management system

List of Typical Responsibilities For a Finance Graduate Resume

Responsibilities for finance graduate program resume.

• Maintain selling prices in JDE
• Support in financial & controlling activities for the Delivery Center (DC) and Functions (CFO, COO)
• Support in Financial and regulatory reporting and tax related activities
• Enter information reports into a financial accounting system
• Other financial, accounting, and information system related tasks are to be performed as assigned
• An online numerical reasoning assessment (within 2 weeks of your application)
• Prepare and participate in adhoc analysis and projects as required

Responsibilities For Finance Graduate Programme Resume

• Ensure adequate systems and processes are in place
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the local business, the industry and competitors in the industry
• Develop an established network within the commercial teams and greater organisation
• Provide information and assist with internal and external audits
• Live the GSK values of integrity, transparency, customer first and respect
• Work on Group and Global Business cases
• Logistic activities such as, Inbound Freight, Customs Clearance
• Support the team members in all aspects of financial reporting, management reporting, business & project controlling, financial analysis, business and project reviews and analysis of the organisation
• Responsible to address and resolve day to day enquiries from business

Responsibilities For Accounting & Finance Graduate Resume

• Support in cost control & performance management of Projects related activities
• Assist in detail analysis on overhead, actual vs forecast to facilitate business decisions
• Assist in analyse business and project performance, actual vs forecast for management review
• Perform professional analytical and management to support work assignments
• Proficient in Excel (spreadsheet development, formula creation, VLOOKUP's, pivots, macros, etc.)
• Assist with development, and implementation of policies and programs that guide the organisation in maintaining and improving its competitive position and profitability
• Assist in the development of all weekly and monthly financial close, all planning, forecasting, and reporting models and their continuous innovation and improving the use and ease of interpretation by your business partners
• Ownership of the fixed asset register
• Ad hoc tasks where required

Responsibilities For Finance Graduate Development Program Traineeat CDW Careers Resume

• Hold an Australian/New Zealand Citizenship or Permanent Residency status
• Willingness to travel and relocate for the duration of the rotation
• Advance Excel knowledge and proficient in other related tools
• One recommendation letter from dean or career coordinator
• Interested in Business Management & the pursuit of a career in Finance
• Completes and updates accurate presentations and communications that are received and communicated to key HSBC stakeholders and senior managers for use in detailing and communicating financial information about HSBC
• Financial Analysis: Gain exposure in analysing data to extract market and business trends to increase profit and performance, especially in relation to information technology systems
• Compliance, Technical & Management Accounting: Gain exposure to a variety of contracts across the business and develop your knowledge on the company’s accounting standards

Responsibilities For Finance Graduate Opportunity Resume

• Responsible for recording all newly acquired fixed assets and disposals in the accounting system, and the timely capitalisation of new assets
• Responsible for month end activities for Fixed Assets, including depreciation run, capitalisation, accrual posting
• Financial Accounting – provides accurate and timely financial information to key stakeholders in Europe and our Corporate Head Office in the
• Business Planning & Analysis – provides vital strategic insight into the future of our business
• Financial Accounting – provides accurate and timely financial information to key stakeholders in Europe and our Corporate Head Office in the States
• Analytical and enjoy problem-solving

Responsibilities For Finance Graduate Development Program Resume

• Naturally collaborative and partnership oriented; commercially focused but enjoy working with internal customers
• Business partner with the engineering/maintenance/IT functions to ensure timely capitalisation of projects
• Post Programme – Business unit role working in the finance team at any of IMI’s global site operations
• Listens for understanding and expresses information clearly and concisely
• Problem solving and action-oriented mindset
• Financial Control – ensures the financial success of our retail model
• Commercial Finance – shapes the financial, commercial and operational decisions we make
• A clear and confident communicator
• Desire to work with different cultures and sees the power of a global enterprise as an asset

Responsibilities For Finance Graduate / Intern Resume

• Analysing the operational risks of activities, identifying, and investigating potential fraud, auditing the conformity of processes and their application (Finance, Purchasing, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR…), preparing and planning missions and review with management
• Maintain the Fixed Asset register for Ireland and Singapore
• Prepare quarterly depreciation forecasts and Annual Depreciation Plans for Ireland & Singapore
• Reconciliation of Fixed Asset sub-ledger to the trial balance
• Prepare audit schedules and be main point of contact for all internal and external FA audits
• Complete and co-ordinate the annual Fixed Asset counts of the plants
• Completion of annual impairment review

Responsibilities For Last Call International Operations Finance Graduate Resume

• Assist in the review of Capital Appropriation Requests for Ireland
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade B or above
• Takes ownership of tasks and produces high quality work
• Understands a common goal, shares information with colleagues, contributes to an atmosphere of trust
• MSc in Finance, Business Economics or equivalent
• Motivation to always find a solution to new challenges
• Recognise and utilise the strength that comes from diversity
• Professional Qualification (CIMA)

Responsibilities For Finance Graduate Internship Resume

• A fast paced and varied career
• Real projects with real responsibility
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays
• Discounted gym and myHermes memberships
• Are fluent English speakers & writers

Responsibilities For AMP Accounting & Finance Graduate Resume

• Operational Finance (Divisional or Business Unit Finance)
• Enthusiastic about new technologies with an agile mindset
• Knowledge of foreign currency payments
• Unrivaled attention to detail high level of accuracy
• Exceptional ability to see the bigger picture as well as the detail
• Hands on - not afraid of admin
• Efficient, agile and simple processes and systems
• Robust governance and financial control
• Follow-up performance against budget monthly and quarterly

Related to Finance Graduate Resume Samples

Finance trainee resume sample, project finance resume sample, securities finance resume sample, finance infrastructure resume sample, manager, equity resume sample, principal, finance resume sample, resume builder.

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CV Personal Statement Examples and Tips

Your personal statement is the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager will read when flicking through what will usually be a huge pile of CVs. With so much competition, you need a personal statement that grabs their attention for all the right reasons. But how do you write one? Here’s our guide along with a couple of personal statement examples for inspiration.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a concise paragraph that sits at the top of your CV just below your name and contact details and tells the reader why you would be a fantastic asset for their company. It should include a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and give the recruiter an insight into your ambitions and character.

Your personal statement should explain:

• Who you are
• Your suitability for the role and the value you can add
• Your career goals

Conveying all that information in just a few sentences is certainly not easy, but with research suggesting that recruiters spend an average of just six seconds reviewing each CV before deciding whether the applicant is a good fit, you must get it right.

How to write a winning personal statement for your CV

No one has your specific skills and experience, so your personal statement must be unique. However, there are some universal tips you can follow.

• Length, formatting and tone of voice

Probably the biggest challenge you’ll face when writing a personal statement for your CV is keeping it between 50 and 150 words, or around four or five lines of text. It should be clean and concise, formatted consistently and written in the same font and point size as the rest of your CV.

Personal statements can be written in the first (“I am a marine biologist”) or third-person (“Marine biologist looking for”), but whatever voice you choose, keep it consistent throughout your CV.

Recruiters read so much hyperbole and waffle that being honest and understated will help you stand out. This is not The Apprentice, so buzzwords, empty promises and meaningless metaphors should be avoided at all costs.

• Back up your claims

Cliches like ‘hard worker’ or ‘experienced’ are just empty words that recruiters see hundreds of times a day. Instead, establish your credentials with relevant vocational qualifications or professional memberships you have and quantify the level of experience you have. For example, “I am a RICS qualified surveyor with eight years’ experience working for a property development company”.

• Include statistics from your career

Including specific data or statistics in your personal statement will immediately make it stand out from the hundreds of others recruiters read every day. Metrics of success are far more memorable than simply listing your achievements. For example, “I introduced a new lead qualification tool that increased sales by 15 percent”.

• Remove pronouns in the third person

The personal statement on your CV is the one place where it’s okay to talk about yourself in the third person. However, using pronouns, for example, “he is a conscientious worker with 12 years of experience...” is a step too far. Instead, drop the pronouns, so that would become “A conscientious worker with 12 years of experience…”

Personal statement examples

Here are a few examples of personal statements to keep you on the right track and hopefully provide a little inspiration.

Written in the first person by a graduate looking for their first professional role.

I am a recent graduate with a first-class degree in economics, specialising in econometrics and international trade. I have commercial experience in the finance sector courtesy of an internship with a UK corporation, where I developed the technical data engineering skills you are looking for. I have a proven ability to meet deadlines and produce consistently high-quality work, as evidenced by my degree, and would relish the chance to develop my skills within your organisation.

Written in the third person by an experienced purchasing manager looking to climb the ladder.

Purchasing manager with 12 years of experience who wants to progress to a more senior role within the aviation industry. Has developed strong and lasting relationships during previous managerial positions in the sector and wants to put this strong network to good use to add value to your business.

Time to get hired

Writing a winning personal statement that you’re happy with and that summarises your skills and experience effectively in just a few lines will take time. However, using these tips and examples as a guide and editing your personal statement for every role is an important piece of the puzzle.

To hear Guardian Jobs reader Elia’s story and how her Personal Career Management programme helped land her ideal job watch the video .

Personal Career Management can offer you a  free review to assess your needs and to see which programme is right for you.

To book call Personal Career Management on 01753 888 995 or fill in the contact form .

Personal Career Management are Career Management Partners for the Guardian and are a specialist career coaching and outplacement company.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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Ultimate guide to writing a graduate CV personal statement

When you submit an application to your dream job, how long do you think recruiters will spend looking at your CV? Go on, take a guess.

2 minutes? Maybe 10? Or even a generous half an hour? Nope — according to an eye-tracking study by The Ladders , you’ve got an average of 7.4 seconds to impress. Yep, you heard right. 7.4 seconds.

That means you need to capture their attention in a flash — and convince them that your CV is worth dedicating more time to.

So what’s the answer? A punchy, compelling and tailored personal statement, which tells them exactly why you’d make a great hire and leaves them feeling eager to find out more. Let’s take a closer look:

What is a personal statement and why do you need one?

You might remember writing a personal statement for your UCAS application, but the one you’ll be writing for your job applications is a totally different ball game.

This type of personal statement should sit right at the top of your CV and give employers a snappy summary of what you can bring to the team and why you’d make a good fit for their company. It should discuss things like your degree, any relevant work experience you’ve gained, your skills and software knowledge, and maybe even a relevant side project or hobby.

You should think of your CV personal statement as a sales pitch. If you had to stand in front of your dream employer and convince them to give you a job, what would you want them to know? You’d try to convince them that you’ve got what they’re looking for and that you’ve got a genuine interest and passion for the sector. Well, that’s what you should do in your personal statement — just in written form.

It’s your one chance to make yourself stand out in an endless pile of applications. Remember, you’ve only got an initial 7.4 seconds to impress — use your personal statement as an opportunity to draw recruiters in and convince them to read the rest of your CV.

Graduate CV personal statement: The golden rules

Match yourself up to the target role.

You could write the most flawless and persuasive personal statement to have ever existed — but if the information is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for, it still won’t make an impact on employers.

The key to the perfect personal statement (and CV as a whole) is to match yourself up to the position as closely as you can. You can do this by carefully reading through the job description and making a note of the key skills, experience and other qualities that the employer is looking for. Then, use your findings to inform the content of your personal statement.

For example, if the employer is specifically looking for a graduate with hands-on experience of content writing, you might mention writing for the University blog or share a link to your personal blog’s URL. Or, perhaps their main requirement is a 2:1 or above degree in a STEM subject? Well, you’d make sure your 1:1 degree in Maths is the very first thing you mention.

Keep it short and snappy

Your personal statement should only act as an introduction — if it’s too long, you’re more likely to lose the attention of busy recruiters. Stick to high-level, summarised information only.

An ideal length is around 8-15 lines. Make sure every sentence is short, sharp and to-the-point to keep the tone exciting and punchy — waffle is a personal statement killer!

Clichés are a no-go

Every other student and graduate claims they’re a “hardworking team-player who always gives 110%” or a “dynamic and driven professional with an entrepreneurial spirit”. Sure, the statement might be totally accurate, but think about it from a recruiter’s perspective — they don’t actually have any reason to believe your claims.

So, hit that delete button on any clichés or generic phrases. Instead, impress the reader with your hard skills, qualifications, work experience and relevant projects. Focusing on fact, rather than fluff, will show that you’re a candidate worth taking seriously.

What to include in your graduate personal statement

• Degree + qualifications: You should showcase your degree, along with the grade you achieved and what relevant skills, knowledge and practical experience you gained from studying. If you’ve gained any extra vocational qualifications or training that are relevant to your target role, mention those too.
• Skills + knowledge: Focus on your hard skills (e.g. software and systems, languages, technical skills and sector-specific skills) rather than your soft skills (e.g. teamwork, communication, time management).
• Work experience: This doesn’t have to be a full-time job — you can include experience gained from internships, placements, part-time jobs, volunteer roles, freelance work and side projects too. If it’s relevant to the role you’re applying for, make sure to shout about it!
• Interest in your field: Graduate employers want to take on grads who are genuinely passionate about their specific sector. After all, who wants to hire someone who doesn’t care about the job and will make minimal effort? So, try to showcase why this specific role aligns with your interests, values and career goals.

Ready to write an interview-winning personal statement?

Writing a graduate CV can feel like a long hard slog. But by focusing on tailoring the information in your personal statement towards your specific target role, you’ll be able to grab the attention of recruiters, prove that you’d make a savvy hire and land the graduate job you’ve been looking for.

Andrew Fennell is the founder of CV writing advice website StandOut CV – he is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to websites like Business Insider, The Guardian and FastCompany.

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• Finance Student CV examples

As a student, you may have created CVs in the past for work experience or part-time jobs, but when the time comes to create a finance CV for your first official role, it can feel pretty daunting.

But don’t panic, we know what it takes to impress recruiters and sell your financial skills, which is why we’re here to help.

Our step-by-step guide below will teach you how to create a killer application and comes complete with 2 examples of a finance student CV for additional support.

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your Finance Student CV

CV templates 

Finance Student CV example 1

Finance Student CV example 2

Build your CV now 

The above CV example demonstrates the type of info you should be including within your Finance Student CV, as well as how to display this information in a way which looks professional and is easy for time-strapped recruiters to read.

This is the standard you should be aiming for, so remember to refer back to it throughout the CV writing process.

Finance Student CV structure and format

If you focus on the written content of your CV but ignore how it actually looks, your efforts could end up wasted.

No matter how suitable you are for the role, no recruiter wants to spend time squinting and trying to navigate a badly designed and disorganised CV.

Instead, make sure to organise your content into a simple structure and spend some time formatting it for ease of reading – it’ll get you in recruiter’s good books from the get-go!

Formatting Tips

• Length: Whether you’ve got one year or three decades of experience, your CV should never be more than two sides of A4. Recruiters are busy people who’re often juggling numerous roles and tasks, so they don’t have time to read lengthy applications. If you’re a recent graduate or don’t have much industry experience, one side of A4 is fine.
• Readability : By clearly formatting your section headings (bold, or a different colour font, do the trick) and breaking up big chunks of text into snappy bullet points, time-strapped recruiters will be able to skim through your CV with ease.
• Design: Don’t waste time adding fancy designs to your CV. It generally adds no value to your application and may even end up distracting recruiters away from the important written content.
• Avoid photos: Ditch logos, images or profile photos. Not only do they take up valuable space, but they may even distract recruiters from your important written content.

Structuring your CV

Divide your CV into the following major sections when writing it:

• Name and contact details  – Head your CV with your name and contact details, to let the reader know who you are and how to contact you.
• CV profile – A brief paragraph which summarises your skills and experience and highlights why you’re a good match for the role.
• Core skills list – A snappy, bullet-pointed list of your most relevant skills.
• Work experience – A structured list of your work experience in reverse chronological order.
• Education – A summary of any relevant qualifications or professional training you’ve completed.
• Hobbies and interests – An optional section, which should only be used if your hobbies are relevant to the jobs you’re applying to.

Now I’ll guide you through exactly what you should include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Begin by sharing your contact details, so it’s easy for employers to give you a call. Keep to the basics, such as:

• Mobile number
• Email address – It should sound professional, with no slang or nicknames. Make a new one for your job applications if necessary.
• Location – Simply share your vague location, for example ‘Manchester’, rather than a full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – Remember to update them before you send your application.

Finance Student CV Profile

Your CV profile is basically a short introductory paragraph, which summarises your key selling points and highlights why you’d make a good hire.

So, write a well-rounded summary of what you do, what your key skills are, and what relevant experience you have.

It needs to be short, snappy and punchy and, ultimately, entice the reader to read the rest of your CV.

Tips for creating an impactful CV profile:

• Keep it brief: Recruiters have piles of CVs to read through and limited time to dedicate to each, so it pays to showcase your abilities in as few words as possible. 3-4 lines is ideal.
• Tailor it: Not tailoring your profile (and the rest of your CV) to the role you’re applying for, is the worst CV mistake you could make. Before setting pen to paper, look over the job ad and make a note of the skills and experience required. Then, incorporate your findings throughout.
• Don’t add an objective: Avoid discussing your career goals in your CV profile – if you think they’re necessary, briefly mention them in your cover letter instead.
• Avoid cliches: If there’s one thing that’ll annoy a recruiter, it’s a clichè-packed CV. Focus on showcasing your hard skills, experience and the results you’ve gained in previous roles, which will impress recruiters far more.

What to include in your Finance Student CV profile?

• Summary of experience: Recruiters will want to know what type of companies you’ve worked for, industries you have knowledge of, and the type of work you’ve carried out in the past, so give them a summary of this in your profile.
• Relevant skills: Make your most relevant Finance Student key skills clear in your profile. These should be tailored to the specific role you’re applying for – so make sure to check the job description first, and aim to match their requirements as closely as you can.
• Essential qualifications: If the jobs you are applying to require candidates to have certain qualifications, then you must add them in your profile to ensure they are seen by hiring managers.

Quick tip: If spelling and grammar are not a strong point of yours, Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written content that has been created by recruitment experts, and proofread by our team.

Core skills section

Your CV is the very first impression you’ll make on a potential employer.

A disorganised, cluttered and barely readable CV could seriously decrease your chances of landing interviews, so it’s essential to make sure yours is slick, professional and easy to navigate.

You can do this by employing a clear structure and formatting your content with some savvy formatting techniques – check them out below:

Work experience/Career history

Now it’s time to get stuck into your work experience, which should make up the bulk of your CV.

Begin with your current (or most recent) job, and work your way backwards.

If you’ve got too much experience to fit onto two pages, prioritise space for your most recent and relevant roles.

Structuring your roles

Lengthy, unbroken chunks of text is a recruiters worst nightmare, but your work experience section can easily end up looking like that if you are not careful.

To avoid this, use my tried-and-tested 3-step structure, as illustrated below:

Start with a brief summary of your role as a whole, as well as the type of company you worked for.

Sat within a small team consisting of 6 members and provided administrative support to the team to aid them with the provision of accounting, tax and payroll services to individuals and companies; reported to the Partner.

Key responsibilities

Follow with a snappy list of bullet points, detailing your daily duties and responsibilities.

Tailor it to the role you’re applying for by mentioning how you put the target employer’s desired hard skills and knowledge to use in this role.

• Supported the Partner with the production of working papers and the preparation of spreadsheets to facilitate the production of year-end financial reports and accounts for various clients.
• Employed QuickBooks and Excel to reconcile bank statements and effectively resolve all discrepancies.

Key achievements

To finish off each role and prove the impact you made, list 1-3 stand out achievements , results or accomplishments.

This could be anything which had a positive outcome for the company you worked for, or perhaps a client/customer. Where applicable, quantify your examples with facts and figures.

• Pro-actively reorganised the current filing system which substantially improved upon efficiency and reduced daily filing time by circa 1 hour, enabling staff to focus on productive tasks.

After your work experience, your education section should provide a detailed view of your academic background.

Begin with those most relevant to Finance Student jobs, such as vocational training or degrees. If you have space, you can also mention your academic qualifications, such as A-Levels and GCSEs.

Focus on the qualifications that are most relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Interests and hobbies

Although this is an optional section, it can be useful if your hobbies and interests will add further depth to your CV.

Interests which are related to the sector you are applying to, or which show transferable skills like leadership or teamwork, can worth listing.

On the other hand, generic hobbies like “going out with friends” won’t add any value to your application, so are best left off your CV.

Essential skills for your Finance Student CV

Tailoring your CV to the roles you are applying for is key to success, so make sure to read through the job descriptions and tailor your skills accordingly.

However, commonly desired Finance Student  skills include:

• Reporting – Strong financial reporting skills are in high demand and can not only help you in the job but can help you to stand out from the competition.
• Financial awareness – It pays to understand marketplace trends and where the business fits into these. This can help with analysing data and forecasting future trends.
• IT skills and software – You must have an understanding of the most common financial systems and tools such as databases and accounting software.
• Analysing data – Finance students must be able to demonstrate their analytical skills and ability to think laterally.
• Problem-solving – You might be proficient in the relevant financial tools but you must also be able to quickly tackle any unsuspected financial problems that may arise.

Writing your Finance Student CV

Once you’ve written your Finance Student CV, you should proofread it several times to ensure that there are no typos or grammatical errors.

With a tailored punchy profile that showcases your relevant experience and skills, paired with well-structured role descriptions, you’ll be able to impress employers and land interviews.

Good luck with your next job application!

Finance Graduate Resume Sample

Home » Administration Resume Samples » Finance Graduate Resume Sample

Are you an  Finance Graduate and looking for a career change? We have good news for you! use our job-winning professional  Graduate in Accountancy and Finance Resume template. You don’t have to start writing from scratch. Just click “Edit CV” and modify it with your details. Update the template fonts and colors to have the best chance of landing your dream job. Find more  Resume Templates.

Jessica Watson

Graduate in accountancy and finance.

A recent accounting and finance graduate currently working towards completing the remaining ACCA exams and hence become a chartered accountant. In pursuit of a career in accountancy and future aspirations include business management. Looking for a role within an organisation that supports professional and personal development.

• Presentation
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Organisational

Work Experience

General assistant.

• Assisted customers complete purchases by moving heavy items, collecting payments and bagging purchases.
• Collaborated with sales team members to stay current on inventory levels, complete accurate orders and resolve item issues.
• Stocked merchandise, clearly labelling items, arranging according to size or colour, and preparing attractive displays.
• Monitored deliveries by checking merchandise against invoice paperwork and notifying supervisor of discrepancies.
• Delivered an exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions.

Warehouse Operative

• Unloaded cargo, maintaining clean, safe, and organised warehouse.
• Observed operations to verify quality and conformity of packaged products, stepping in to resolve issues promptly and avoid costly production errors.
• Sorted, graded and inspected products and actively monitored production line.
• Contributed to team success by completing jobs quickly and accurately.
• Effectively communicated with all levels of staff and management, despite barriers such as language.

BA (Honours) Accounting and Finance

Courses covered and ACCA title exceptions:

Audit and assurance,Financial Management, Financial reporting, Performance Management,Taxation, Accountant in business, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Corporate and Business Law.

A/AS-Levels

A Level: History, Economics

AS Level: Business, Maths

7 A-C GCSE’s including including English and Maths.

Career Expert Tips:

• Always make sure you choose the perfect resume format to suit your professional experience.
• Ensure that you know how to write a resume in a way that highlights your competencies.
• Check the expert curated popular good CV and resume examples

What Should Be Included In A Finance Graduate Resume?

A finance graduate resume should include detailed information about your educational background, experience in the finance field, and any skills and qualifications that would make you an ideal candidate for a finance related job. It is important to be concise and accurate when articulating information on your resume.

The educational section of your resume should list your degree in finance or any related field, as well as any other degrees you may have earned. You should include any certifications you may have obtained, such as a CFA or CFP certification, as well as any other professional credentials.

In the experience section of your resume, highlight any internships, summer jobs, or part-time positions you held in the finance field. Include information about the types of tasks you were responsible for, the duration of each job, and any significant accomplishments during your time with the company.

You should also provide a summary of skills, qualifications, and knowledge related to the finance field. This could include experience with financial analysis software, knowledge of financial concepts, or proficiency in mathematical and statistical methods. Additionally, you should include any volunteer or extracurricular activities that involved finance or business related topics.

Finally, be sure to provide contact information for the references you list on your resume. This will allow employers to quickly and easily reach out to the individuals who can vouch for your abilities and knowledge. Make sure to keep your resume up to date with any new courses or certifications you may have obtained.

What Skills Should I Put On My Resume For Finance Graduate?

When writing a resume as a finance graduate, you will want to make sure that you include a range of skills that demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in the field. While you may have a range of technical and quantitative skills, such as financial modeling and risk analysis, you should also include a range of soft-skills, such as conflict resolution and communication.

The following skills are some of the most important to consider when writing a resume as a finance graduate:

•  Financial Analysis – Demonstrate your ability to understand complex financial data, evaluate financial performance, and generate meaningful insights for improvement.
• Risk Management – Show that you can identify, assess, and mitigate risks that may affect financial performance, operations, and investments.
• Accounting – Show that you can understand various types of financial accounts, such as general ledger, cost, and revenue accounts.
• Investment Analysis – Demonstrate your ability to analyze investments, assess investment opportunities, and develop financial strategies.
• Financial Modeling – Demonstrate your ability to construct and use financial models to simulate financial scenarios and provide actionable insights.
• Project Management – Show that you have the ability to manage projects, coordinate resources, and track progress.
• Problem-solving – Show that you can effectively identify and solve complex problems.
• Communication – Demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate complex financial information to different stakeholders.
• By including these skills on your resume, you will be able to show that you are well-versed in the field of finance and have the necessary skills to excel in the role.

What Is The Job Description Of The Finance Graduate?

The finance graduate is a professional who studies the principles of money management and is responsible for helping organizations and individuals make informed financial decisions. This position requires an understanding of economic theory, financial markets, banking, accounting principles, and risk management. Finance graduates are also required to be extremely organized and detail-oriented in order to effectively manage their various tasks.

A finance graduate may be involved in a variety of activities, such as creating financial reports, analyzing financial data, preparing invoices and tax returns, and providing advice and recommendations on investments and other financial decisions. A successful finance graduate should have a strong aptitude for mathematics, as well as excellent organizational and communication skills. Additionally, they should be able to interpret financial data quickly and accurately, and be able to handle complex financial transactions.

In addition to the standard responsibilities associated with financial management, a finance graduate may also be asked to assist in developing investment strategies and providing advice on the various financial instruments available. They may also be responsible for designing and implementing financial strategies, such as budgeting and forecasting, and tracking investment performance.

A successful finance graduate should be able to work independently and in teams and have the ability to work under pressure while maintaining accuracy. They should also be able to interact effectively with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders. Working as a finance graduate provides a great opportunity to develop both your technical and interpersonal skills, as well as gaining valuable hands-on experience in the financial sector.

What Is A Good Objective For A Finance Graduate Resume?

.As a finance graduate, you need to make sure that your resume is concise, focused, and well-crafted. One of the most important aspects of your resume is the objective statement which should provide a clear statement of your career aspirations. A good objective for a finance graduate resume should focus on the job you’re seeking and demonstrate how your skills and experience make you a valuable asset to the company.

When writing your objective, you’ll want to emphasize the fact that you’re a finance graduate and have the knowledge and experience to succeed in the role. If you have any related professional experience, you should be sure to include that in your objective statement. Additionally, you should make sure to emphasize any special skills or talents that you may have that would make you a great fit for the job.

Your objective should also include a few key words and phrases that demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and your desire to be an asset to the company. You should also make sure to include a few relevant keywords that will help to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Finally, your objective should include a brief statement of the specific qualifications that make you a great candidate for the role. This should include any certifications or other qualifications you may have that would be beneficial to the company. By taking the time to craft a concise, clear, and well-written objective statement, you will be able to make a great first impression with potential employers.

What Are The Career Prospects In The Finance Graduate?

The finance industry offers some of the most lucrative career opportunities for graduates. Finance graduates have the potential to earn big salaries, have access to high-level positions, and work in a wide variety of fields. With the right qualifications and experience, finance graduates can find satisfying and rewarding careers in the financial services sector.

Finance graduates have the opportunity to work in a variety of financial services roles, from investment banking to personal finance consulting. They can also take on positions in the corporate finance world, such as financial analysis and management. Those who specialize in quantitative analysis can also find jobs in the fields of risk management, data analysis, and algorithmic trading.

For those who wish to take their career to the next level, there is the potential to become a certified financial planner or financial analyst. Those who pursue this path can expect to work with some of the world’s largest financial institutions and build a lasting career in the finance industry.

Finance graduates also have the potential to pursue a career in the field of financial regulation. This includes working as a regulator to ensure that companies adhere to the laws and regulations set forth by the government. Financial regulators are responsible for keeping an eye on the markets and making sure that businesses are compliant.

Overall, the career prospects for finance graduates are excellent. With the right qualifications, graduates can find rewarding careers in the industry, with the potential to make a lot of money and lead a successful career. With the continued growth of the global economy, the demand for educated finance professionals is only likely to increase in the future.

Key Takeaways for an Finance Graduate resume

When you’re a finance graduate, having a well-crafted resume is key to getting the job you want. A good resume will show potential employers that you have the right skills and qualifications to do the job. Here are some key takeaways for creating an effective resume for a finance graduate:

• You need to focus on showcasing your financial skills and experience. Highlight any relevant internships, volunteer work, or other education you have that’s related to finance. Make sure to include any special projects you’ve worked on, such as financial analysis or budgeting. Show off any certifications or qualifications you have that relate to finance.
• Secemphasize your technical skills. Employers want to see that you have a strong knowledge of various financial tools and applications. Make sure to include any Excel, PowerPoint, and other technical skills you possess. It’s also helpful to list any programming languages or financial software you’re familiar with.
• Emphasize any relevant soft skills you have that are necessary for finance roles. This includes communication and problem-solving abilities. Demonstrate your ability to work in a team, and highlight any leadership experience you have.
• Make sure that your resume is well-organized and easy to read. Use clear language and short bullet points to communicate your skills and experience. Avoid including irrelevant details, and be sure to double-check your spelling and grammar. With these tips in mind, you can craft an effective resume that will help you get noticed by prospective employers.

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Writing a personal statement for your CV

CV personal statements are like the sales pitch of your CV, but not everyone thinks they're useful. Discover if they're really necessary, how to write a CV personal profile and templates for inspiration

What is a CV personal statement?

A CV personal statement is a concise paragraph or summary, which details what you can bring to a job or company. It's also known as an opening statement, personal profile, personal summary or executive summary.

Sitting at the top of your CV, it's your opportunity to sell yourself to employers and to highlight the relevant skills and experience you possess.

While effectively and succinctly convincing recruiters that you're a good fit for the role, a personal statement gives you the chance to show off your strengths and share your career goals.

'The focus of your CV statement should be to target your offer to employers - why should they hire you and how are you different to other graduates? Therefore, making your personal statement as unique as possible is crucial to ensure you stand out from the crowd,' explains Alex Proctor, careers consultant at the University of Bradford.

Do I need a personal summary on my CV?

Traditionally, almost all CV types include a personal statement but there is some debate about whether you actually need to include one.

Some recruiters and careers advisers believe that personal profiles are one of the most important parts of a CV, as they provide an easily accessible overview of a candidate's ability, while others feel that personal statements are a waste of valuable space and time.

The latter belief is often the case with graduate CVs, as some employers feel that those just stepping onto the career ladder don't necessarily have enough knowledge or experience to warrant a personal statement. Because of this, a graduate's personal profile runs the risk of being bland and generic and stating things that should be a given, such as, 'I'm hardworking and organised,' which is why some recruiters believe that they are best suited to more senior CVs.

So while your CV doesn't need a personal statement, employers spend only seconds looking at application documents. With this in mind, a CV personal statement gives you an invaluable opportunity to make your application stand out as quickly as possible.

Alex believes 'that a CV personal statement is a good idea, because employers often have so many CVs to read through and the personal statement, if clear and concise, can elevate your chances of getting through to the next stage of the recruitment process.'

If you'd like to include a personal statement on your CV it might be best, as a graduate, to focus on your educational background and the career path you'd like to embrace. If you have relevant experiences use these to make your personal statement unique. 'If you haven’t got much work experience, focus on what experience you can extract from your degree,' advises Alex. 'If you have taken part in various projects demonstrate what your role was. Alternatively, if you have written a dissertation, showcase your topic and what skills you have developed from this experience. Employers will value your individuality even if you haven't had masses of practical work experience.'

If you're struggling to give it context and get it right, make an appointment with your university's careers or employability service and ask an adviser to help you hone your writing. 

What should I include in my CV personal profile?

In terms of length, a CV personal profile should be no longer than 150 words. 'It should be short, impactful and aligned effectively with the CV content,' explains David Ainscough, careers consultant team lead and deputy director at the University of Cambridge.

'A personal CV profile should include details of your educational background, evidence of work experience, as well as your career aspirations. You ideally need to ensure you are telling the reader what you can offer skill-wise and don't be afraid to also share any accomplishments,' adds Alex.  

If you're struggling with what to write, break your personal statement down into three parts. Focus on:

• who you are
• what you can offer
• your career aims.

Start by introducing yourself. For example, 'A recent graduate with a 2:1 in English literature from the Hillview University' or a 'Highly-skilled physiotherapist with five years’ experience…'

Next, detail what you can offer the company. Ask yourself why you're suited to the role and cover any relevant skills or experience. If you lack practical work experience instead draw attention to your academic achievements, such as contributing to university publications, which developed written communication, attention to detail and teamworking skills. Or how you applied skills learned on your physical therapy degree during your time as a physio assistant for university sport teams.

Conclude your personal statement by highlighting your career goals. For example, 'I am looking to start my career in the exciting world of publishing and to develop the skills learned through my university studies and internships.'

It's up to you how you present this information; there is no hard and fast rule. However, personal statements are generally displayed as a single paragraph, without a title or subheading. You'll need to keep it consistent with the rest of your CV formatting, meaning that the font size and type will need to be the same throughout your document.

Also, consider the voice and tense you'd like to use. Personal statements can be written in either the first or third person, but you'll need to maintain this voice throughout - don't switch between the two.

Take a look at  how to write a CV .

How do I make my CV personal statement stand out to employers?

• 'Remember that first impressions count so make sure you're giving the recruiter a comfortable reading experience. Layout and clarity are crucial,' says David.
• Tailor your CV personal statement (and CV in general) to each application.
• Be honest. Untruths are easy to uncover and lying on your CV is a criminal offence.
• Provide evidence of skills and experience but remember to keep it brief. For example, 'experienced event manager, who led a team to organise a charity ball for 150 people, raising £5,000 - a 20% increase on previous years.'
• Use the job description to help form your CV personal profile.
• Stick to the word limit.
• Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. The personal summary sits at the top of your CV so any errors will be immediately apparent.
• 'Keep it fresh. It needs to be reviewed in each application you make so consider something new to say each time,' adds David.
• Read it aloud once you've finished writing to make sure it flows.
• Copy and paste from your  cover letter or from online CV personal statement examples. Your personal summary needs to be unique and personal to you.
• Include unnecessary personal information such as your age, marital status etc.
• Use clichés, slang or jargon.
• Use bland, empty statements like 'I work well independently and as part of a team'. This tells employers absolutely nothing about what you’re capable of.
• Overuse buzzwords.
• Include quotes from previous employers.
• Ramble. Recruiters don't have time to read through waffle, so get to the point.

Think about the connotations of the words you use - 'currently studying' implies things might change, 'trying' implies failure, 'might' or 'maybe' sounds like you're not sure. The words you use have power so choose them carefully. You want to sound confident, positive and enthusiastic.

Find out more about the  top 7 CV mistakes .

CV personal statement examples

To help you get started take a look at the following CV personal profile examples.

As a recent graduate from the University of Townville, with a 2:1 honours degree in marketing, I have undertaken internships at industry-leading agencies such as Beyond Imagination and Noah Freemans. These placements have allowed me to develop sector knowledge and gain hands on experience, as well as expand transferable skills such as commercial awareness, communication and negotiation and analytical skills. My career aim is to gain a role which allows me to further my expertise and take on increased responsibility at a market-leading digital marketing agency.

I am a highly motivated 2:1 forensic science graduate from Groveshire University, looking to secure a graduate position that enables me to use and develop my analytical, attention to detail and communication skills. I have gained relevant experience in both scientific and hospital laboratories, which allowed me to build on my problem solving, concentration and team working skills. My career goal is to assume a role that enables me to analyse and interpret forensic data and to eventually move into crime scene investigation.

Remember; avoid copying and pasting ready-made examples. Instead use them as a guide to craft your own, tailored CV personal statement. Take a look at our  example CVs .

Find out more

• Learn more about  applying for jobs .
• Get more advice on CVs and cover letters .

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