How to get invited for an interview: winning finance CV examples from recruiters

Are you ready to kickstart your finance career? Our recruiters share tips and finance CV examples that upsell your key skills and strengths to help increase your chances of securing your first finance role.

Keep reading to learn the CV secrets that’ll give you the edge throughout your finance career.

Finance CV format: what to include

Like almost any job role or sector, a CV for finance should follow a set format but be tailored to the specific role you’re applying for. Key sections to include are:

1. Your name and contact information

2. Your professional statement or personal profile

3. Qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, AAT, etc.)

4. Key finance-specific skills (e.g., Sage, Xero, SAP)

5. Professional experience

6. Your personal interests (prioritise those with transferable skills)

Research for our 2025 Salary Guide shows that 52% of finance hiring managers plan to add permanent headcount this year, with particular interest going to candidates with skills in automation, generative AI, data analytics, and business intelligence tools.

Boost your CV with the most in-demand finance skills

In today’s competitive job market, your CV needs more than just a list of responsibilities - it needs to showcase the skills that employers are actively seeking.

According to the Robert Half 2025 Salary Guide, demonstrating both technical and soft skills can set you apart from other candidates, especially in the finance sector where precision and strategy go hand in hand.

Top technical skills in finance:

Financial reporting

Data analytics / Business intelligence tools

Technical accounting

Automation

Top soft skills in finance:

Critical thinking

Leadership

Problem solving

Creative thinking

CV finance template

[Your full name]

[Location]

[Email address]

[Mobile number]

[LinkedIn URL]

Professional statement

[Three or four lines covering your finance career interests and aspirations, plus the skills and experience that align with key terms and phrases from the job description.]

Education

[Accounting or finance qualification] | [Institution] | [Date range of attendance]

[Classification/grade]

[Relevant modules or specialisations]

[Dissertation or significant project title if relevant]

[Undergraduate Degree] | [University] | [Date range of attendance]

[Classification]

[Relevant modules]

[Significant projects or achievements]

[A-Levels/Scottish Highers] | [School/college] | [Date range of attendance]

[List subjects and grades, if recent graduate]

Skills and certifications

[List experience related to job description; data analytics is particularly in-demand]

[List business intelligence tools you’re proficient with (especially automation and AI)]

[Languages and proficiency levels]

Experience

[Position Title] | [Organisation] | [Dates]

[Brief description of your role and responsibilities]

[A bullet point list of achievements and responsibilities, using specific metrics and examples.]

[Position Title] | [Organisation] | [Dates]

[A bullet point list of achievements and responsibilities, using specific metrics and examples.]

Personal interests

[Two or three sentences detailing professional memberships, volunteer work, or interests. We recommend focusing on those that demonstrate transferable skills relevant to the role or showing how you might be a good cultural fit for the company.]

Common CV mistakes

Failing to proofread: Failing to proofread your finance CV is one of the most common and preventable mistakes you could make. Before sending, run your CV and cover letter through software like Grammarly or ask someone to check it for you.

Poor/unreadable formatting: Inconsistent, unprofessional, or cluttered formatting can deter a recruiter or employer from reading your CV. Use a professional font (Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman) in a font size of 10- 12pt, with clear headers and plenty of white space. Try to keep your CV to two A4 pages maximum.

Being too generic: When selling your skills and experience on a graduate finance CV, specificity is key. Remember to include specific details, outcomes, and metrics to increase your CV’s impact.

Not tailoring your CV and cover letter: You should tailor every CV and cover letter to each role you apply for. This isn't just good practice; it's also essential for getting your CV through AI screening software by using key terms and skills from the job description.

Finance cover letter examples

[Your Full Name]

[Your Contact Details]

[Date]

Dear [hiring manager's name],

I’m interested in applying for the [job title] role with [company name]. I’m confident that my academic foundation in [qualification/degree] from [university/institution] and experience with [specific finance skill/proficiency/experience] make me well-suited for the role.

My [studies/volunteer work/dissertation etc.] helped me hone the ability to [unique selling point relevant to finance, e.g., "analyse complex financial datasets and translate them into actionable business insights" or "communicate technical accounting knowledge to non-financial stakeholders"], which I understand is a crucial aspect of this role.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing the contributions I can make to your team. If you’d like additional information or have any questions, I’d be happy to help.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Name]

Put your new finance CV and cover letter to use and browse open roles on the Robert Half site. Upload your new CV, or read the 2025 Salary Guide to learn more about the current finance hiring landscape. Best of luck on your job search!