Investment Banker resume template & examples

Resume guide for an investment banking resume

Fitly here to assist. Our resume builder and proven investment banking resume examples for over 500 professions will provide you with the edge needed to succeed in landing your ideal investment banker role. This resume guide and related investment banker resume sample will address these key points:

• Selecting the optimal resume format for investment banking
• Including essential contact details
• Utilizing a professional summary
• Detailing your investment banking work experience
• Highlighting critical skills
• Showcasing education & certifications
• Choosing an effective resume layout and design

Let’s get started!

How to write an investment banking resume

Before beginning, understand what your investment banker resume must include. These are the essential sections:

• Profile
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills

Your resume should communicate your unique value as an investment banker. Start by researching the company and role you are targeting to grasp their objectives, and tailor your resume to demonstrate how you can deliver value through financial analysis, deal execution, and client relationship management. Follow these guidelines:

• Emphasize your measurable achievements rather than just listing responsibilities. Highlight deals closed, capital raised, or financial models developed.
• Customize your resume for each application to align with the employer’s tone and expectations.
• Maintain a polished, professional appearance—clear and concise without being overly formal.
• Integrate relevant keywords and industry terms to enhance reader and applicant tracking system (ATS) recognition.

Choosing the right resume format for investment banking

Your investment banker resume must be clear, professional, and logically structured—the same traits clients expect from you in deal execution.

The reverse chronological format is highly recommended because it highlights your most recent and relevant roles first, emphasizing your current skills and accomplishments.

If you’re transitioning from another sector, a functional or hybrid resume that spotlights your transferable skills may be appropriate.

Explore various resume templates within our builder and select the format that best reflects your career narrative. Opt for a clean, modern, and professional design that supports your personal brand as an investment banker.

Include your contact information

The resume header should clearly convey who you are and how you can be reached, presented in a polished layout for maximum clarity.

Include the following details:

• Your full name
• Your professional email address
• Your phone number
• Your LinkedIn profile or professional website (if applicable)

Avoid including:

• Your full home address
• Unnecessary personal information

Craft a compelling summary

Investment banking is often perceived as highly quantitative and technical, but your summary is an opportunity to add dimension and provide a snapshot of your expertise and professionalism.

Think of your investment banker resume summary as a concise story of your financial acumen, deal experience, and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. This is one of the few sections where you can adopt a more narrative tone, while most others follow bullet-point conventions.

Use dynamic language, strong action verbs, and positive assertions that highlight standout achievements and skills. Avoid repetition from other resume sections and instead provide a high-level overview of your strengths and ambition.

Below are adaptable summary examples you can customize:

Detail your investment banking work experience

Following a reverse chronological order, list your current or most recent investment banking roles first and work backward. Focus on the past 10-15 years to maintain relevance and prevent age biases.

Include only experience closely related to investment banking or financial services. If you have other roles that demonstrate valuable skills, consider an additional section titled "Other Experience."

Under each employer and job title, highlight your contributions and measurable achievements in concise bullet points. Start each point with impactful action verbs such as led, negotiated, structured, advised, or executed. Avoid personal pronouns like “I” or “my.”

Don't simply state duties. Showcase results with tangible metrics that affirm your impact. A vague description like:

• Prepared financial models and performed market research
• Participated in client meetings
• Assisted in deal execution

is less effective than a more detailed and quantified version such as:

• Developed detailed financial models resulting in successful $500M merger advisory
• Advised clients on restructuring strategies leading to 20% cost savings
• Led due diligence efforts for cross-border acquisition valued at $1B

Below is a sample investment banking employment history for your reference:

Highlight the relevant key skills

Investment banking demands a blend of technical prowess and interpersonal finesse. Your resume should reflect both hard skills—such as financial modeling, valuation techniques, and proficiency with financial software—and soft skills like negotiation, communication, and strategic thinking.

Tailor your skills section to align with the specific banking role you target. Maintain a master list of your competencies and selectively showcase those that best match the job description for each application.

Fitly offers pre-written key skills selections in the resume builder, and you can always add specialized skills as needed.

Here’s how the skills section appears in our investment banker resume template:

Showcase your education & certifications

The education section of your resume should emphasize your academic credentials and relevant certifications that underpin your expertise as an investment banker. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or a related discipline is standard, and many professionals also hold advanced degrees such as an MBA.

Exclude high school details if you possess higher education qualifications. Be sure to include:

• Degrees earned, particularly in finance-related fields
• Professional certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Risk Manager (FRM), or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
• Relevant training programs and workshops that bolster your finance and deal-making skills
• Internships or apprenticeships, notably if you are early in your career

Select the right resume layout and design

A well-crafted layout, thoughtful design, and proper formatting are critical in directing recruiters' focus and presenting your investment banker profile impressively.

Opt for a clean, structured, and professional design that conveys your analytical rigor and trustworthiness. Investment bankers are viewed as disciplined and results-driven, so your resume should reflect those traits visually.

Consider the message your resume template sends about your candidacy. For traditional investment banking roles, simple and elegant is usually best. Yet, for roles in more dynamic or boutique firms, a modern or subtly creative approach may be beneficial.

For additional inspiration, review our selection of field-proven resume templates where technicalities and structure have been expertly handled for you.

Investment banking job market and outlook

Investment banking continues to be a competitive yet rewarding sector. According to industry data, the demand for skilled investment bankers remains robust, driven by ongoing capital market activities, mergers and acquisitions, and evolving financial regulations.

The role is cyclical, often mirroring broader economic trends, but experienced bankers with strong client networks and technical skills enjoy excellent long-term prospects.

The average base salary for an investment banker in the United States typically ranges from $85,000 to $150,000 annually, with bonuses significantly enhancing total compensation. Senior professionals and those at leading firms can earn substantially more.

Despite an evolving financial landscape, investment banking remains a premier career choice for individuals seeking dynamic challenges and lucrative rewards.

Key takeaways for investment bankers

Investment banking is a high-stakes field requiring a careful blend of technical expertise, market savvy, and client management skills.

The job market for investment bankers is strong, with steady demand tied to the capital markets and corporate finance activities.

Competitive salaries and bonus structures reward performance, especially for those bringing proven deal experience and analytical capabilities.

A standout resume tailored to each opportunity, emphasizing quantified accomplishments and relevant skills, will set you apart from the competition.

Utilize professional resume templates and carefully curated content to effectively communicate your value and secure your preferred investment banking role.