RESUME MISTAKES
Turn Your Investment Banking Resume Into a Deal-Closing Weapon
Identify the top resume errors that keep you from the interview table and fix them with proven strategies.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps investment bankers spot and correct the most damaging resume mistakes, ensuring their experience shines through ATS filters and hiring managers alike.
Spot high‑impact errors that cost you interviews
Learn actionable fixes for each mistake
Follow industry‑standard formatting for banking
Optimize keywords for top ATS platforms
Access a quick‑fix workshop and checklist
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using vague, non‑quantified languageHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge your impact
- ATS may miss key performance metrics
How to fix
- Add specific numbers (e.g., $200M deal)
- Use action verbs and measurable results
❌ Before
Managed client relationships and executed transactions.
✓ After
Managed relationships with 15 corporate clients, leading to execution of $200M in M&A deals.
ATS Tip
Include numeric values and keywords like 'M&A', 'leveraged finance'.
Detection Rules
Lacks numbers
No action verbs
Generic phrases
Resumly Tip
Quantify every bullet – the bigger the number, the stronger the impact.
Listing every job duty instead of achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Resume becomes lengthier than needed
- Dilutes key successes
How to fix
- Focus on top 3 achievements per role
- Prioritize results over responsibilities
❌ Before
Prepared financial models, performed due diligence, drafted pitch books.
✓ After
Built a $500M LBO model that secured financing for a leveraged buyout, reducing projected IRR variance by 12%.
ATS Tip
Start bullet with a strong verb and embed relevant keywords.
Detection Rules
More than 6 bullet points per role
Bullets start with 'Responsible for'
Resumly Tip
Trim duties; showcase outcomes that matter to banks.
Incorrect date or location formattingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread employment dates
- Hiring managers question timeline consistency
How to fix
- Use MM/YYYY format, align dates to the right
- List city, state for each role
❌ Before
Jan 2018 – 2020 New York
✓ After
Jan 2018 – Dec 2020 New York, NY
ATS Tip
Keep dates in a single line, use month abbreviation.
Detection Rules
Dates not in MM/YYYY
Location missing state abbreviation
Resumly Tip
Standardize dates and locations for clean parsing.
Using a functional resume layoutHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS struggles to map sections
- Banks expect chronological format
How to fix
- Switch to reverse‑chronological layout
- Label sections with standard headings (Experience, Education)
❌ Before
Skills: Valuation, Modeling, Negotiation
✓ After
Professional Experience (reverse‑chronological)
ATS Tip
Use conventional headings; avoid creative layouts.
Detection Rules
Section titled 'Skills' before Experience
No chronological order
Resumly Tip
Banks love the classic reverse‑chronological format.
Missing or weak summaryMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- First impression lacks focus
- ATS may not capture seniority level
How to fix
- Craft a 2‑sentence summary with years of experience, sector focus, and key achievements
❌ Before
Investment banker with experience.
✓ After
Seasoned Investment Banker with 8 years delivering $3 B in M&A transactions across technology and healthcare, recognized for structuring complex cross‑border deals.
ATS Tip
Include role‑specific keywords early.
Detection Rules
Summary <30 words
No industry keywords
Resumly Tip
Your summary is the elevator pitch – make it count.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Header, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_InvestmentBanker.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages (max 2 for senior bankers)
Date Format: MMM YYYY (e.g., Jan 2020)
Location Format: City, State (US) or City, Country
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use reverse‑chronological order
- Quantify every achievement
- Include relevant banking keywords (M&A, DCF, LBO)
- Keep resume under 2 pages
- Standardize dates and locations
- Use professional font (e.g., Calibri 11)
- Save as PDF with proper file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: M&A, Leveraged Buyout, DCF, Financial Modeling, Deal Structuring, Capital Markets
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Education' to ensure ATS parsing.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text or upload a file
- Add quantifiable metrics
- Convert to reverse‑chronological layout
- Standardize date and location format
- Insert a compelling summary
- Replace generic verbs with action verbs
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