PimpMyCV: First class degree, second tier university - will I get a job in banking?

Do you need to go to a top university to get a job in banking?  What if you attend a not-so-top university and get an excellent grade? - Will that suffice? Below we have the (anonymized) CV of a UK student in precisely this situation.

He wants your feedfback. Will this CV get him a job at an investment bank? If not, why not? What can be improved? Add your advice in the comments box at the (very) bottom of this page.

Is my CV good enough for an investment bank?

Education:

UK University (ranked 38th)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

BSc. Accounting and Management (2nd year)

• Grade: 1^st Class Honours
• Relevant Modules: Financial Accounting - 97%, Applied Economics - 86.4%

School:

• A Levels: – A*, Economics – A*, English – A, Commerce – A.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Accountancy firm, London                                                                                                                                  

Intern (One month) 

• Analysing purchase and sales invoices of clients, and creating an input and output VAT summary to help reclaim or pay VAT on a quarterly basis to the government
• Working with senior accountants to analyse invoices and statements, which reduces the time taken to prepare trial balances and increases efficiency in the preparation of financial reports
• Implemented a new process of scanning clients’ bank statements and converting them into an excel spreadsheet (Bank Summary), which lead to overall improvements in efficiency
• Keeping track of Payroll deadlines for all clients and informing colleagues to ensure timely tax return submissions.

Asian corporate                                                                                                                                                  

Summer Intern (Two months)                                                                                                                                                             

• Assisted Head of Department in analysing accounts and preparation of Financial Statements required for auditing
• Collaborated with Fixed Asset department in analysing and depreciating assets on a straight-line method on SAP accounting software and built reports collaboratively with Head of Department
• Worked in teams to complete VAT summary, analysis to reduce the time taken to prepare reports

LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK EXPERIENCE

JP Morgan Launching Leaders Insight Day, London                                                                                                                             

Participant 2018, one day                                                                                                                                                                                     

• Selected to attend the event which consisted of 40 participants out of 250 applications in total
• Introduction to JP Morgan and the investment banking division with details about the product, Industry and coverage groups
• Participated in a trading simulation, networked with employees, attended seminars including a case study on Tesco-Booker merger

CIMA Business Game Case Study Competition, London                                                                                                                         

Team Leader, 2018                                                                                                                                                                    

• Given a case study on how to increase the profitability and growth for a high-tech leisurewear company
• Led a team of four to analyse a case study and suggest changes to increase profitability before presenting our suggestions
• Won 1^st place for the best suggestions and acknowledged for critical thinking and well-structured arguments

School              

School Prefect                                                                                                                                                        

• Elected as a representative of the student body to maintain discipline by collaborating with fellow Prefects
• Led my house to victory in our inter-house football shield
• Solved problems with regards to poor food quality by suggesting a change of suppliers to the Principal, which was implemented

SKILLS, ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

Languages: English (fluent), Bengali (native), Hindi (fluent), Nepali (limited proficiency)

Interests: Cricket: Member of the Senior cricket team in high-school, Football: Integral member of the plus 2 (senior) football team

Societies:  Trading & Investment society; Banking & Finance Society

Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, QuickBooks, SAP SE.

Certifications: Prince2 Project Management Course, Corporate Finance Institute Course: Introduction to Corporate Finance

Insight Event: Citibank Thought Leadership Insight Event: Invited to attend a seminar and network with professionals.

Add your comments below.

Have a confidential story, tip, or comment you’d like to share? Contact: sbutcher@efinancialcareers.com in the first instance. Whatsapp/Signal/Telegram also available.

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