What should a financial analyst put on a resume?

Before jumping into writing your resume, we recommended that you first check the job ad to see what professional finance skills they are looking for. Then make a list of your skills and look for talents that show up on both lists. This can include financial planning, analysis, and reporting.

One of the most important parts of a financial analyst's resume is the profile summary. This is where you get to introduce yourself as an analyst and paint a picture of why you are an excellent candidate. In no more than 2 to 4 sentences, touch on your background, core skills, and accomplishments.

For example, "Senior financial analyst with six years of experience seeking a role at Company X. Helped drive costs down by over 12% at Company Y by eliminating wasteful processes. Skilled in risk management data validation techniques. CPA-certified".

Next, your work experience section provides you the opportunity to flesh out your financial experience. Be sure to include 3 to 6 bullet points that provide real-world examples that highlight your achievements more than just your responsibilities.

For example, "Created standardized reports that resulted in a better understanding of real-time performance. This allowed the firm to raise client returns 15%."

If you're just starting as a finance analyst, you should use the education section as an opportunity to highlight some of your academic achievements and relevant coursework. If you hold any certifications, be sure to include that in a separate section. Finally, provide a section just for skills and include a mixture of hard and soft skills.