Welcome to the Graduate Financial Recruitment blog! If you’re a Gen Z graduate or young professional looking to start a career as a Financial Advisor, you’re in the right place. In today’s competitive job market, crafting a CV that stands out to both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is essential. This guide will walk you through the key steps to creating an ATS-friendly CV that highlights your skills and experiences, making you a top contender for financial advisor roles.
Understanding the Importance of an ATS-Friendly CV
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand why optimising your CV for ATS is crucial. An ATS is a software application used by employers to streamline the recruitment process. It scans CVs for specific keywords, skills, and qualifications, helping recruiters filter and rank applicants. If your CV isn’t optimised for ATS, it might not even reach a human recruiter, regardless of your qualifications.
Key Elements of an ATS-Friendly Financial Advisor CV
1. Simple and Clean Formatting
What to Do:
- Use standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
- Stick to a straightforward layout with clear section headings (e.g., “Professional Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”).
- Avoid using tables, images, graphics, and unusual formats.
Why It Matters:
ATS systems can struggle with complex formats. A simple, clean layout ensures that your CV can be accurately read and processed by the ATS, increasing your chances of getting through to a human recruiter.
2. Relevant Keywords
What to Do:
- Study the job description to identify key terms and phrases.
- Include these keywords naturally throughout your CV, especially in the “Professional Experience” and “Skills” sections.
- Focus on industry-specific terms relevant to financial advising, such as “portfolio management,” “client relationship management,” and “financial planning.”
Why It Matters:
ATS software uses keywords to match your CV with the job description. Including the right keywords ensures your CV is ranked higher and more likely to be seen by recruiters.
3. Tailored Content for Each Job Application
What to Do:
- Customise your CV for each job application.
- Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific financial advisor role you’re applying for.
- Use the exact terminology from the job posting where appropriate.
Why It Matters:
A tailored CV demonstrates your interest and suitability for the specific role, making it more likely to get noticed by both the ATS and the hiring manager.
Crafting Each Section of Your CV
Professional Experience
What to Do:
- Use bullet points to list your job responsibilities and achievements.
- Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., “Managed,” “Developed,” “Increased”).
- Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages where possible (e.g., “Increased client portfolio by 20% over 12 months”).
Example:
Financial Advisor
XYZ Financial Services, London, UK
June 2021 – Present
- Managed a client portfolio worth £5 million, providing personalised financial advice and investment strategies.
- Developed comprehensive financial plans that improved client satisfaction by 25%.
- Conducted market research to identify investment opportunities, resulting in a 15% increase in annual returns.
Why It Matters:
Clear, concise bullet points make it easier for the ATS to parse your information. Quantifying your achievements demonstrates the impact of your work, making your CV more compelling.
Education and Certifications
What to Do:
- List your educational background, including degrees obtained, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
- Highlight relevant certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Series 7.
- Include any relevant coursework, honours, or distinctions.
Example:
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Finance
University of London, London, UK
Graduated: May 2020
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
CFA Level I Candidate
Why It Matters:
Education and certifications are critical for financial advisor roles. Listing them clearly ensures the ATS can recognize your qualifications and match them to the job requirements.
Skills
What to Do:
- Create a dedicated skills section near the top of your CV.
- Include both hard skills (e.g., financial analysis, portfolio management) and soft skills (e.g., communication, client relationship management).
- Use keywords from the job description.
Example:
Skills:
- Financial Analysis
- Portfolio Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Financial Planning
- Investment Strategies
- Microsoft Excel
- Effective Communication
Why It Matters:
A skills section allows the ATS to quickly identify your core competencies. Including both technical and soft skills gives a well-rounded view of your abilities.
Additional Tips for an ATS-Friendly CV
Use Standard Section Headings
What to Do:
- Stick to conventional section headings like “Professional Experience,” “Education,” “Skills,” and “Certifications.”
- Avoid creative headings that might confuse the ATS.
Why It Matters:
Standard headings help ATS software categorise your information correctly. This improves the chances of your CV being processed accurately.
Avoid Using Tables and Columns
What to Do:
- Use simple formatting without tables or multiple columns.
- Stick to a single-column layout for ease of parsing.
Why It Matters:
Tables and columns can cause parsing errors in ATS, leading to crucial information being missed. A single-column format is more ATS-friendly.
Save Your CV in the Right File Format
What to Do:
- Save your CV as a .docx or .pdf file.
- Check the job posting for any specific instructions regarding file format.
Why It Matters:
Some ATS systems prefer specific file formats. Ensuring your CV is in a compatible format prevents it from being rejected due to technical issues.
Proofread Thoroughly
What to Do:
- Use spell check and grammar check tools.
- Review your CV for any typos or formatting errors.
- Consider having a friend or mentor review it as well.
Why It Matters:
Even minor errors can impact the professionalism of your CV. A thoroughly proofread CV demonstrates attention to detail, a key skill in financial advising.
Transform Your CV into a Powerful Tool for Career Advancement
At Graduate Financial Recruitment, we offer expert advice and downloadable finance-specific CV templates to help you craft a standout CV. Whether you’re aiming for a role in investment banking, financial planning, or ESG analysis, our resources are designed to optimise your CV for success.
Expert CV Advice for Standing Out
- Access to downloadable, finance-specific CV templates.
- Optimise your CV for success in investment banking, financial planning, ESG analysis, and much more.
- Premium service for standout CVs in multiple remote and on-site roles.
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Final Thoughts
Crafting an ATS-optimised CV for a financial advisor role requires attention to detail and a strategic approach. By following these steps, you can create a CV that not only passes through ATS filters but also captures the attention of human recruiters.
For more expert CV advice and personalised career guidance, contact us at Graduate Financial Recruitment. We’re here to help you navigate the path to a successful career in finance.
