My Goldman Sachs Resume for Investment Banking

Summary

In this video, Kenji shares the resume that helped him land an internship at Goldman Sachs in their Investment Banking Division in New York City. He explains the structure of his resume, offering tips for students and professionals looking to break into the industry. Kenji emphasizes key sections such as education, professional experience, skills, and additional information, sharing personal insights on how to make a resume stand out. He also discusses how to tailor the resume to highlight strengths, such as language skills and work at reputable companies, while omitting less relevant details.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on crafting a one-page resume, especially for investment banking, to avoid unnecessary white space.
• 😀 Prioritize your strongest experiences on your resume—put education first if you're a student, and professional experience first if you're a full-time worker.
• 😀 Tailor the resume to highlight relevant experiences and omit areas where you lack strength. Only include what adds value to your candidacy.
• 😀 In the education section, mention relevant coursework, especially if your major isn't directly related to finance, to show your commitment to the industry.
• 😀 Keep your professional experience section detailed, using action verbs and quantifying your achievements whenever possible to make them stand out.
• 😀 Big-name brands on your resume add credibility, demonstrating that reputable companies trust your work, even if it’s not directly related to finance.
• 😀 Don’t overlook non-finance-related jobs (e.g., working as a bellman), as they can showcase important transferable skills like teamwork and client interaction.
• 😀 The skills section should focus on languages and computer skills, particularly emphasizing proficiency in tools like Excel and any programming languages that set you apart.
• 😀 The 'Additional Information' section can be key for building rapport with recruiters. Mention hobbies or interests that create a personal connection, such as sports or music.
• 😀 Certifications and achievements should back up the skills you claim on your resume, like language fluency certificates or scholarships, to add credibility.
• 😀 Adjust the order of your resume sections depending on your situation. If you have additional education that’s relevant, consider placing it at the top to highlight it.

Q & A

Why is it important for an investment banking resume to be only one page long?

Investment banking resumes should be concise, focusing on relevant skills and experiences. A one-page format ensures that recruiters can quickly review the key details without being overwhelmed by excessive information. It's a standard in the industry to keep resumes short and impactful.

How should you structure your resume if you're a student versus a full-time worker?

If you're a student, education should be the first section, followed by professional experience. For a full-time worker, the order should be reversed with professional experience at the top, as this is the most relevant information for the role.

What should you include in the 'Education' section if you have transferred universities?

If you transferred universities, you can omit your high school details and focus on listing the two universities you attended. Make sure to highlight any relevant coursework and achievements to show your focus on the field you're applying to, such as finance.

How can you demonstrate your interest and readiness for investment banking on your resume?

You can demonstrate interest in investment banking by emphasizing coursework related to finance, using industry-specific terminology, and showcasing relevant experiences such as internships, finance-related certifications, or familiarity with tools like the Bloomberg terminal.

What is the benefit of including 'Relevant Coursework' on your resume?

Including 'Relevant Coursework' is particularly useful if your major isn't directly related to finance. It shows you have foundational knowledge in the subject and are actively working towards understanding the industry, which is especially helpful for non-finance majors.

Why is it important to quantify achievements in the 'Professional Experience' section?

Quantifying achievements provides concrete evidence of your abilities and impact. It gives recruiters a clearer picture of your contributions, such as the size of budgets you managed or the number of clients you worked with, helping to differentiate you from other candidates.

How does working with well-known brands on your resume enhance your credibility?

Working with prestigious companies such as Bloomberg or PwC adds credibility to your resume because these organizations are recognized for their high standards. It suggests that you have the skills and competence that these reputable firms trust, making you a more attractive candidate.

What is the significance of including a 'Skills' section, and what should it highlight?

The 'Skills' section should highlight your technical abilities, such as proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, and any other software that is relevant to the job. If you have language skills, it's also important to include them, especially if you're fluent in multiple languages, as this can make you stand out.

How does the 'Additional Information' section help in your resume?

The 'Additional Information' section can help create a personal connection with the recruiter. By including interests or activities such as sports, music, or volunteering, you demonstrate well-roundedness and show that you have transferable skills or a strong work ethic, which are valued in investment banking.

What type of certifications or achievements should you include on your resume?

You should include certifications that demonstrate proficiency in languages, finance, or other areas relevant to investment banking. This could include language fluency certificates or scholarships you've earned. It’s important that the achievements are verifiable and meaningful, whether finance-related or not.