What, exactly, is wrong with my CV?

26 February 2009

4 minute read

I'm a young and ambitious MBA graduate with over eight years of wide ranging experience in financial services. Unfortunately I joined investment banking at the wrong time and have been laid off twice in less than six months.

I'm keen to pursue a long term career in capital markets, but am getting nowhere fast. In a market, where senior bankers are struggling to find jobs, how can I, with little 'relevant' experience, find my way? Here's my CV. Your constructive comments/suggestions are welcome.

EXPERIENCE

Nov.08 - Jan. 09 BULGE BRACKET FIRM

Contract assignment - Commodities, Client Relationship Management team

· Managed the post-trade client relationship with select group of high risk corporate and hedge fund clients. Analyzed MTM statements and addressed queries related to underlying products.

Jul. 08 - Sep. 08 BULGE BRACKET FIRM

Generalist Associate, Capital Markets Division

Jun. 07 - Aug. 07 BULGE BRACKET FIRM

Summer Associate, Capital Markets Division

·Structuring - RMBS; Trading - Interest Rate Products and Emerging Markets Equities

Aug. 05 - Jun. 06 FAMILY BROKERAGE BUSINESS

Manager, Business Development, Mid-size stock brokerage and portfolio advisory firm

·Led a team of five people in managing the in-house brokerage business. Achieved 20% increase in brokerage revenues in three months by utilizing extensive contacts and initiative.

Jul. 05 - Dec. 05 GLOBAL CONSUMER BANK

Part-time Consultant, Internet banking

·Coordinated the preparation of the 2006 strategic business plan for Internet Banking.

·Developed a decision-making model to assess the ongoing performance of the automated lending machine business. Reviewed capex proposals ($45 million) and presented cost saving ($2 million).

May 03 - Jun. 05 GLOBAL CONSUMER BANK

Assistant Manager, Strategic Planning, Credit Cards and Internet Banking

·Developed product offerings and built financial models that contributed to the growth of internet banking (new venture: 400% revenue growth) and credit cards business.

·Evaluated competitor positioning, assessed business models, and interacted extensively with other businesses (loans, banking, insurance and investments) to prioritize e-business initiatives.

·Built financial models that predicted growth rates in cards product, charges, balances, charge off rates, revenue and profits given different rewards and loyalty programs.

·Evaluated strategic and financial feasibility of white label card alliances with local banks.

·Managed the relationship with MasterCard.

·Enhanced online spend effectiveness by 15% by providing incisive and timely analytics.

Jun. 01 - Apr. 03 BIG FOUR ACCOUNTING FIRM

Executive, Global Tax Advisory Services

·Advised clients on tax optimization strategies, represented clients before regulatory authorities.

·Evaluated tax synergies, determined appropriate capital structure and supported the merger of two leading industrial companies. Investigated asset and liability valuation issues.

Aug. 99 - Jun. 01 BIG FOUR ACCOUNTING FIRM

Intern, Assurance Advisory Services

·Analyzed financial statements and performed controls based audits for automobile industry clients.

·Conducted on-site diligence on acquisition targets in auto industry. Primary responsibilities included the valuation of private entities utilizing comparables, discounted cash flow, and transaction multitples.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·Co-president of the business school Finance Club. Awarded scholarship under the Bulge Bracket Firm MBA Fellowship program.

·Secured 4th and 9th Rank (out of 50,000 students) in the Intermediate and Foundation Chartered Accountancy examinations, respectively. Funded education expenses by interning full-time.

·Avid quizzer, volleyball player and trekking enthusiast (climbed Mountains Manimahesh-Himalayas, Fuji and Aneto-Pyrenees).

·Worked closely with a start-up real estate financial services company (funded by PE investors, Merrill Lynch) in Hungary and recommended new product initiatives (revenue potential $50 million) catering to the Eastern European market.

EDUCATION

2006 - 2008 XXX BUSINESS SCHOOL - Master of Business Administration

1998 - 2002 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

1998 - 2001 BACHELOR OF COMMERCE

[Note from the editor - To hire contact this anonymous banker, please email him at anonbnkr@googlemail.com. If you would like your CV similarly scrutinised, please contact us at <a href="editor@efinancialcareers.com"editor@eFinancialCareers.com]

AUTHORAnonymous

Insider Comment

Ra
Rao
20 May 2009
Had a solid CA,
topped it with an MBA
then threw it all away thinking hey what I am an MBA.
I am a CA too, have been tempted many times by MBA and E-MBA's.
Sticking to your competencies and building around is a key.
Go back to your roots brother ..
Reply
Em
Emily
28 February 2009
Package all the short-term assignments into FREELANCE CONSULTING. Package it different like Independent consultant speciazlied in XXXXXX and then list the short-term assignments. It is essentially the same thing but you look so much better with a coherent CV.
Hopping around for short-term assignments is fine but being laid off twice within six months is problemtatic.
Reply
Sa
Sarah, Editor, eFinancialCaree
27 February 2009
Banker - the debate has been removed from the homepage. It is, however, still very visible in the 'debate' section. It had run for several days anyway. Its time was up.
Reply
Ba
Banker
27 February 2009
"The previous debate has now been replaced with a poll."
The insecurity and naivety of this JoshSS character, who is clearly a member of the proletariat, threatens to destroy the opportunity to post the highly praised and intellectually superior comments that upper class people like to post as a gesture of humour.
Sarah - Why would you remove a debate merely based on a complaint by someone from the working class? Look at the facts:
- The debate had the highest number of comments.
- Contained a large number of very well written and witty comments.
- Sought to offer recommendations to resolve the current financial crisis.
Reply
Ga
Gagging
27 February 2009
All this debate that contentious postings drive people away are completely wrong - in fact the most commented on stories are the ones with contentious posts. Just look at "most popular" its the ones Henry was the main writer in!!
Reply