Skills to Put on Resume That Actually Get You Hired in Finance

Your skills section is the first thing 41% of hiring managers review when they open an application. What you include there often determines whether you land interviews or get filtered out. Before anyone reads your work experience or education, they’re scanning for proof that you can do the job.  And if your resume doesn't make it past applicant tracking systems, which filter out 75% of resumes before human eyes ever see them, none of your other qualifications matter.

A generic list of skills won’t cut it when you’re targeting Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, McKinsey, or Bain. Whether you’re entry-level or a lateral hire, what you highlight on your resume depends on what recruiters actually search for. Finance recruiting demands a specific mix of technical capability and professional judgment that signals you’re ready for the intensity of deal flow, client work, and Superday pressure. The candidates who land interviews know exactly what to include, what to skip, and how to present their background strategically.

This guide breaks down the resume skills that actually matter in finance, from hard skills like financial modeling and Excel to soft skills like communication and time management. We’ll cover which transferable strengths translate across roles, how to build an ATS-friendly application, and how to tailor your profile for different positions without making the common mistakes that lead to rejection.

Why the right skills matter more than you think

Recruiters at bulge bracket banks and top consulting firms don't read resumes the way you might expect. They scan for keywords that match the job description, looking for specific technical skills like DCF, LBO, and M&A experience.

If those terms aren't present, your resume often doesn't make the shortlist.

Applicant tracking systems amplify this filtering. ATS software matches your listed skills against job posting requirements, and mismatches trigger automatic rejections. A finance resume optimized for these systems includes the exact language hiring managers search for.

Beyond the technical filter, 93% of employers say soft skills play a major role in their hiring decisions. The most important skills combine technical competence with in-demand skills like project management and effective communication. Finance roles require both proof of technical competence and evidence of client-facing ability. You need to demonstrate that you can build a model and present it to a managing director without stumbling. The wrong skills get you automatically rejected. The right skills get you callbacks.

Hard skills vs soft skills: what finance recruiters actually want

Knowing the difference between hard skills and soft skills helps you build a balanced resume that passes both ATS filters and human review. The strongest profiles combine technical competence with interpersonal ability, and the right balance depends on the role you’re targeting. Hard skills are teachable, measurable, and job-specific—you either know how to build an LBO model, or you don’t. Soft skills are personality-driven, transferable across roles, and harder to fake in interviews.

Finance employers expect both. A resume packed with technical ability but no evidence of communication or teamwork raises red flags. On the other hand, an application that emphasizes interpersonal strengths without clear analytical depth suggests you’re not ready for the demands of the role. HBS notes that analytical thinking ranks among the top skills JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Citi actively seek in candidates.

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The candidates who stand out demonstrate both categories with specific examples. Listing the most important skills with concrete proof separates strong applications from generic ones. Listing "Excel" means little. Listing "Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, VBA macros)" tells recruiters you can hit the ground running.

Top technical skills for finance resumes

Technical skills are table stakes in finance recruiting. Hiring managers expect proficiency before you start, not after. The specific hard skills you prioritize depend on your target role, but certain competencies appear across nearly every job description in investment banking, private equity, and consulting. Whether you're fluent in Spanish for Latin American coverage roles or proficient in multiple coding languages for quantitative positions, tailoring matters.

Financial modeling and valuation

DCF analysis, comparable company analysis, and LBO modeling form the core of finance technical interviews. Recruiters at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan expect Summer Analyst candidates to understand these methodologies before orientation begins.

If you have deal experience, reference it with specifics. A bullet point like "Built three-statement model for $400M acquisition" carries more weight than "Experience with financial modeling." Quantify where possible and connect your work to real outcomes.

Excel and data tools

Advanced Excel proficiency is non-negotiable. You should be comfortable with PivotTables, VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, and basic macros. For data-heavy roles in equity research or quantitative finance, supplementary computer skills in SQL, Python, or Tableau set you apart. Some positions also value SEO knowledge, Google Analytics proficiency, or social media analytics depending on the function.

CFI notes that technology adaptation is a key differentiator as firms increasingly rely on data analysis and automation. Listing coding languages and programming languages on your LinkedIn profile and resume demonstrates you can grow with the role.

Industry-specific software

Bloomberg Terminal, CapitalIQ, and FactSet experience shows you've worked in professional finance environments. If you've completed certifications like Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), include them. These credentials provide concrete proof of exposure that entry-level candidates often lack.

Format your technical skills for easy scanning. Use bullet points and group related competencies. Hiring managers spend seconds on initial review, so make your strongest skills visible immediately.

Soft skills that separate winners from also-rans

Soft skills aren't filler for your resume. They predict how you'll perform under the pressure of live deals, tight deadlines, and demanding clients. The challenge is demonstrating these interpersonal skills and people skills without resorting to vague claims that every candidate makes.

1. Communication skills. Explaining complex analysis to MDs, clients, and team members requires clarity and confidence. Finance professionals spend considerable time presenting findings, writing memos, and defending recommendations. Effective communication and active listening separate top performers from the rest.
2. Attention to detail. One error in a model can kill a deal or damage client relationships. Recruiters look for evidence that you catch mistakes before they become problems.
3. Time management. Juggling multiple live transactions means prioritizing ruthlessly and meeting deadlines consistently. Strong organizational skills show you can handle the pace of banking hours and meet deadlines under pressure.
4. Teamwork. Analysts rarely work alone. Deal teams require coordination across functions, time zones, and seniority levels. Your ability to collaborate and resolve conflict resolution situations affects everyone's output. These people skills matter as much as technical ability.
5. Problem-solving. Thinking on your feet matters during Superday technical rounds and on live deals when unexpected issues surface. Critical thinking, decision-making, and adaptability signal that you can handle ambiguity.
6. Work ethic. Finance hours demand sustained performance over long stretches. Demonstrating resilience and commitment reassures hiring managers that you won't burn out.

Don't just list "communication" in your skills section. Prove it with bullet points in your work experience: "Presented valuation findings to VP; recommendations adopted for client pitch." Tying soft skills to specific examples makes them credible. Strong interview prep helps you articulate these skills under pressure.

Skills to include by finance role

Different roles prioritize different skill mixes and types of skills. A resume built for investment banking should feature different competencies than one targeting sales and trading. Mirror the language from each job description and adjust your skills section with job-specific terms. Your cover letter should reinforce these same key skills with specific examples.

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When a job posting says "strong analytical skills," use that exact phrase. Applicant tracking systems match specific terms, and hiring managers notice when your language matches their requirements. Tailoring your skills section for each application takes extra time, but it meaningfully improves your response rate.

For investment banking roles, lead with financial modeling and valuation skills. For consulting, lead with structured problem-solving and communication. For private equity, lead with deal experience and analytical judgment. Each role has different expectations, and your resume should reflect that.

Common mistakes that get resumes rejected

Even strong candidates make avoidable errors that weaken their applications. Knowing what not to do gives you an edge over job seekers who rely on generic resume templates.

1. Listing skills you can't back up. Interviewers will test the technical skills you claim. If you list Python but can't write basic code under pressure, you've created a problem.
2. Overloading with irrelevant skills. Customer service experience and graphic design don't belong on an investment banking resume unless they connect directly to the role. Focus on relevant skills that match the job market demands.
3. Forgetting to quantify. "Improved efficiency" means nothing. "Reduced completion time by 20%" demonstrates a measurable impact. Review resume examples from successful candidates to see how they quantify achievements.
4. Ignoring the job description. Each application needs a customized skills section. Generic lists suggest you're mass-applying without research. You should list skills that mirror the posting language in your resume summary.
5. Burying technical skills. Lead with what matters most for the role. If you're applying to a modeling-heavy position, financial modeling should appear before soft skills in your ATS-friendly format.

Potential employers notice these mistakes immediately. A resume builder or career coach can help you avoid them, but the core principle is straightforward: every skill you list should be defensible, relevant, and presented for maximum impact.

How Cook'd AI helps you demonstrate the right skills

What you list on your resume only matters if you can demonstrate it under pressure. Listing 'LBO Modeling' on your resume is an invitation for the interviewer to hand you a blank piece of paper and a pencil. 

Cook’d AI helps you practice explaining every item on your resume before it’s tested in a real interview. Use Cook'd AI's 'Resume Grill' Mode to simulate an MD grilling you on every single skill you've listed. If you can't explain it to the AI, you aren't ready to put it on your resume.

Ready to see if your resume holds up under real interview pressure? Practice with Cook’d AI and build the confidence to back up every line.