REVIEW MY CV: I moved to the Middle East for love and cannot find an investment banking role
An eFinancialCareers reader has bravely put forward their CV for some constructive criticism in a bid to enhance their job-hunting potential. Below is their profile (with all personal details removed) and little about their search for new employment so far. Can you offer some tips about where they may have been going wrong and what, exactly, can be improved about their CV?
"I have been looking for a role in investment banking since autumn 2008 having moved to the Middle East with my partner's job. I'm aware that the current situation has meant that there are very few roles on offer at the level I am targeting, but wonder if there is anything you can suggest to help me improve my CV. I'm worried that my CV looks a bit fractured due to leaving my previous investment banking job for the relocation, is there anything else that I may be missing or need to highlight more?"
SUMMARY
British national seeking an Analyst or Junior Associate role in investment banking. Available to relocate globally
SKILLS PROFILE
· Corporate Finance & Private Equity:
Research, Financial Statement Analysis , Valuation , Modelling , Presentation
· Relationship Management and Business Development
· IT systems:
MS Excel, MS Access , MS Word and others
·Languages:
English (native), French (conversational), Spanish (basic), Arabic (beginner)
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Associate, Business Development, Middle Eastern stock exchange
03/2009-present
· Responsible for building business development department that will target members in MENA region for a start-up exchange
· Met over 50 key market participants in GCC to assess appetite and competence for membership
· Developed and produced procedures for interaction with other internal departments, such as Account Management and Membership Operations
· Co-authored marketing materials
· Involved in design project for system to supply real-time data for distribution
· Exposure to wide range of asset classes, including equities, debt, derivatives, commodities, currencies and Islamic products
Manager, investment banking division, UK bank
10/2007 -10/2008
London, United Kingdom
· Assisted both Head of Credit Risk Management and Business Manager in running of the department in the investment banking division large UK bank.
· Analysed credit portfolio and developed monthly reporting tools and presentations for senior management
· Monitored ratings of portfolio cases and discussed with RMs to ensure validity and standardisation
· Participated in monthly corporate finance and project finance meetings to highlight and develop strategies for "problem" exposures
· Produced Procedures Manual for Credit Risk Management
· Exposure to Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Structured Asset Finance, Real Estate Finance and Aviation Capital
· Resigned to relocate to GCC for personal reasons
Graduate analyst, private banking division, UK bank
09/2006 -10/2007
London, United Kingdom
· Graduate scheme placements included: Investment Department; Legal Department; Relationship Management; and Hong Kong office.
· Attended a wide range of training courses for financial and personal skills.
· Committee member for Graduate Induction programme in 2007: organised two day conference for 450 delegates
· On completion secured role in the investment banking division of the bank
Researcher, Political body, UK
08/2005 - 08/2006
London, United Kingdom
· Researched and wrote speeches for prominent UK politicians
· Created amendments to the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2006: Coordinated senior practitioners and focus groups to produce the Opposition's challenge
Client Coordinator, advertising agency
2004 - 2005
London, United Kingdom
· Temporary work at a global advertising agency during summer breaks from law school
· Assisted client management team with day-to-day running of accounts
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Associate Member of Securities & Investment Institute (ASI)
Member of Honourable Society of Inner Temple (Called to Bar 2005)
QUALIFICATIONS
2008:
CFq (Corporate Finance Qualification), Intermediate Diploma
ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales), United Kingdom
CICA (Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants), Canada
2007
Certificate in Investments (Investment Management)
SII (Securities & Investment Institute), United Kingdom
2004 - 2005
Bar Vocational Course (Bar Exams)
Law school, United Kingdom
"Very Competent"
2003- 2004
Graduate Diploma in Law
Law school, United Kingdom
2000 - 2003
BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology
United Kingdom university
2.1
Estimated equivalent to GPA ~3.7
INTERESTS
Sport:
Rugby, Cricket, Golf, Tennis, Sailing, Squash, Hockey, Windsurfing
Travel:
Gap year to South America
Music:
Saxophone , Guitar, Piano
