The #1 secret to creating a perfect investment banking resume is 80-20 thinking.

That being the ability to 1) know what to include and what to leave out, and 2) write about your past achievements with Hemingway-esque efficiency.  ie intelligence + disciplined writing.

Before exploring the how, it’s important to reflect on the why.

In investment banking we have the “15 seconds to bin rule”.  Meaning, an investment banking resume will get about 15 seconds of attention until the banker decides whether to yay or nay it. 

We’ve explained why bankers suffer such ADD before, so I won’t go into it again.

Within this reality I hope you can see that your resume has to, nay must, sell the young analyst within just seconds.

It has to scream “yeah this kid looks worth interviewing”.

Having seen the resumes of many an aspiring banker I can tell you almost no one knows this harsh reality, or if they do, no one seemingly understands what it really means for them – i.e. how it impacts resume writing and presentation.

But now you know the equation tired + moody + “couple pounds” you should be able to write a banker friendly resume. 

All it takes to make a banker smile at 2.13am and green light you an interview is to craft a resume that is readable within seconds; and this comes down to you abiding by the IIB’s investment banking resume format guidelines.

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Why the “15 seconds to bin” rule is actually great for you and how to beat it

We love the rule because since most students don’t follow it, when you do you will stand out for all the right reasons.  Plus you’ll make the analyst’s job to green light you so painless.

What should you do in order to pass the test?

In order to sell an analyst in just 15 seconds your resume has to be an 80-20 version of your original 6 page life story.

That means writing a freaking investment banking resume objective (the biggest douche bag thing you can do on Earth!) or talking about swimming medals won in grade school is a no go.

We exaggerate for effect. 

But seriously your investment banking resume length can’t be more than one page long – and you have to achieve that with normal margins, proper spacing and a readable size font. 

This may sound easy but selectively eliminating past successes and not resorting to squashed size 6 font never is.

All the advice on how to achieve this 1 page killer resume can be found in the Inside Investment Banking System, but the main point to heed now is…

Less is more. 

Throw out the BS riddled career center guide book that says “stuff your 1 page resume to the max”.  Instead 1) select only your most powerful achievements/experiences, 2) write about them in a succinct results-centric way and 3) harness the power of white space, beautiful typography and smart formatting. 

Think Apple style, not Microsoft.

PS Check out our feature length tutorial on how to write an investment banking internship resume for loads of insider tips on creating a killer banking resume.

So you have bad credit, millions do, and more importantly millions did.  Yes million of people have taken the steps necessary to improve their credit history, and credit ratings.

Before you start to improve your credit rating, it’s critical to find out why your credit is in the state that it is. If you don’t know why your credit is poor, then you must ask to see your credit reference file to find out.  At the UK Credit Card Centre we can help you in your quest to understand your credit score (Visit our Credit Help page). 

Once you have a good understanding why your credit score is poor, or bad, there are a number of simple steps you can take to help improve your credit rating and start to rebuild credit history and score:

Make sure you are on the electoral roll. It only takes a few minutes to register with your local council and it will help to improve your credit score over time.
Always pay bills when they are due. This will begin to improve your credit history and score and will again give you an improved credit rating over time.
Do not apply for too much credit.  The number of times you apply for credit, either credit cards or loans can have a negative effect on your credit score. Every application for credit is logged into your credit file.  Too many credit applications in a short period of time may not help your credit rating.
The truth matters.  When applying for credit never give false or misleading details.  Always tell the truth.  If there are inconsistencies with past credit applications or details that are held on credit checking systems differ from your application it will affect your credit score.
 Start to build a credit history over time and when you check your credit reference file you should find an improved credit score.  Remember good credit will not occur over-night, but if you take the time to fix your credit blemishes, your score will improve over time.

So how can you improve credit ratings if you can’t get credit?  Credit card companies like our Vanquis and Capital One are specially designed for people with bad credit, or for people that have credit that needs help.  Even if you have been turned down by other credit card companies, you may be able to qualify for cards designed to improve credit.

As long as you manage the card properly, stay withn your credit limits and pay promptly, this is a good way to build credit history and to improve your credit rating.  Take the time to understand how to build good credit, and you will start down the road of financial freedom.  To find out more about cards designed for people with bad credit, Please visit our site UK Credit Card Centre for additional details.