Landing a Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst internship is incredibly competitive. Your resume is your first, and perhaps most crucial, impression. This guide will help you craft a resume that showcases your skills and experience, making you stand out from the thousands of applicants.
Understanding Goldman Sachs' Expectations
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what Goldman Sachs looks for in a summer analyst candidate. They seek individuals who demonstrate:
- Academic Excellence: A strong GPA from a top-tier university is almost always a prerequisite.
- Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze complex data, solve problems creatively, and draw insightful conclusions is paramount.
- Financial Acumen: A solid understanding of finance principles, even if it's primarily theoretical, is essential.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Goldman Sachs values individuals who can lead and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
- Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication, both written and verbal, is vital for success within the firm.
- Relevant Experience: Internships, projects, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your interest and aptitude in finance are highly valued.
Structuring Your Goldman Sachs Resume
Your resume should be concise, typically one page, and easy to scan. Use a clean, professional font like Times New Roman or Arial. Here's a suggested structure:
1. Contact Information
- Name: Use a large, bold font.
- Phone Number: Ensure it's easily accessible and you answer promptly.
- Email Address: Use a professional-sounding email address.
- LinkedIn Profile URL (Optional): Include if your profile is well-maintained and relevant.
2. Summary/Objective (Optional)
A brief summary highlighting your key skills and career goals can be beneficial, but it's not mandatory. If included, keep it concise (3-4 lines maximum). Tailor it to the specific division you're applying to (e.g., Investment Banking, Sales & Trading).
3. Education
- University Name: Include the name of your university.
- Degree: Specify your degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Finance).
- GPA: Include your GPA if it's above 3.5.
- Graduation Date: State your expected graduation date.
- Relevant Coursework: List relevant courses such as Financial Modeling, Corporate Finance, Econometrics, etc. Only include those highly relevant to the role.
- Dean's List/Honors (Optional): Mention any academic honors or awards received.
4. Experience
This is the most crucial section. Focus on quantifiable achievements using the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method.
- Company Name & Location: Start with the name and location of your employer.
- Job Title & Dates of Employment: Clearly state your role and the duration.
- Bullet Points: Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%," "Managed a portfolio of $X million"). Focus on achievements that align with the skills Goldman Sachs seeks.
5. Skills
List both hard and soft skills relevant to the role. Examples include:
- Technical Skills: Financial Modeling (Excel, Bloomberg Terminal), Programming (Python, SQL), Data Analysis (statistical software).
- Soft Skills: Teamwork, Communication, Leadership, Problem-solving, Analytical skills.
6. Activities & Extracurriculars (Optional)
Include relevant extracurricular activities, particularly those demonstrating leadership, teamwork, or skills relevant to finance. Again, focus on quantifiable achievements.
7. Awards and Recognition (Optional)
Keywords and Optimization
While not explicitly stated, subtly incorporating relevant keywords throughout your resume can improve its visibility during applicant tracking system (ATS) scans. Consider keywords like:
- Financial Modeling
- Investment Banking
- Equity Research
- Sales & Trading
- Data Analysis
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Leadership
Tailoring Your Resume
Remember to tailor your resume to each specific division and role you apply for within Goldman Sachs. Highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to that particular position.
Proofreading and Review
Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it for any grammatical errors or typos. Have a friend, mentor, or career counselor review it for clarity and impact. A polished and error-free resume is crucial for making a strong impression.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly increase your chances of getting your resume noticed and landing an interview for the Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program. Remember, your resume is your first impression – make it count!
