Investment Banking Resumes: What do Bankers & Headhunters Look For?

Ever wondered what sets you apart in the world of investment banking?

It all starts with your resume.

In the race for a spot at J.P Morgan, only about 1% make it through. Surprisingly, the cover letter and resume screening are where over 60% face the cut. Imagine, you've got less than 20 seconds to grab a banker's attention.

Want to know what really catches their eye? We’ve summed it up below…

1. Records of Academic Excellence

The role of a junior investment banker is to do the job correctly in the most stressful scenarios, while maintaining a strong level of performance over extended periods with a positive mindset.

To evaluate a candidate's potential to meet these demands, recruiters assess their track record of accomplishments. A recruiter's primary objective is to sift out the least qualified candidates, not pinpoint the absolute best.

For undergraduates, academic performance serves as a key indicator of work ethic and achievement. Factors like grades, the reputation of your academic institution, and how hard was your major of overall degree will be assessed.

On the other hand, for master's and MBA students, involvement in extracurricular activities and internships holds equal importance. When it comes to applicants for associate-level positions, prior work experience will be more important than grades and academic records.

2. School Brand

School brand matters in banking. Top-tier universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge etc., have an edge in resume screenings. They're seen as breeding grounds for high-achievers, handling pressure well.

What if you’re not from a top tier school? Our advice is to ensure you have a well written resume highlighting all your leadership skills, focus on securing a strong GPA, and mentioning standout extracurricular activities to help you stand out.

3. Grades

You will be assessed by your grades. People usually say score is not everything, but for investment banking, there is huge emphasis on your grades. 

•       If you’re in the UK, you’re going to need at least a 2.1 degree (preferably a First).

•       In the US, your GPA should be > 3.6/4.0 to have the chance of breaking in. 

A common misconception amongst applicants is when investment bankers are reviewing an individual’s grades, they are being used as an indicator of a candidate’s intellectual capacity. This is not the case! Grades are simply an indication for drive, determination and work ethic, not intellectual capacity.

In order to get a 4.0 GPA or a first-class degree, that candidate must effectively get an A in all of their classes, not just the finance modules or the modules which they like. To achieve a high-grade point average, candidates must be willing to work very hard even if they don’t like the class or professor or even when they are feeling sick or under outside pressure. This kind of perseverance is what makes a great investment banker, especially at the analyst level.

Why put so much emphasis on drive and determination? Many analysts will find they are tired, they don’t like their associate or VP, even under those circumstances, analysts are expected to perform and deliver quality work.

However, let me add here, having lower grades doesn’t mean you cannot get into investment banking, it just means you need to compensate with other skills to complete against candidates.

If you don’t have an elite school name to boast and your grades are neither great, what else can you do to substantiate your excellence in your investment banking resume?

See our 3 tips below:

1.    Highlighting your top subjects/modules with A grades:

Example: Relevant Courses: Corporate Finance (A), Economics (A)…..

2.    Highlight any scholarships, no matter the size.

Mention the full amount or the percentage of your school fees for significant scholarships and state the name for smaller scholarships.

3.    List any Academic Awards you received during your undergraduate study

Example: Received award for top academic performance (Top 1% in School)

Employers love to see things like ‘top 1%’, ’99th percentile’, ‘1 out of…’, so ensure to add this onto your resume!

Remember the trick: if your individual subject grades, your scholarships or your awards are more impressive than your GPA, make them more visible than your GPA.