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Financial Advisor Resume Example & Writing Guide

  • Why use this financial advisor resume example?
  • How to write a great financial advisor resume
  • Which key skills are relevant for a financial advisor resume?
  • Financial Advisor resume example

Financial advisors provide expertise to clients for making decisions about personal finances and investments. A financial advisor may work independently or for a large company. These advisors need to have good financial management skills, as well as the ability to effectively communicate with their clients.

Why use this financial advisor resume example?

The example resume starts with a strong summary that highlights your most valuable experience, accomplishments, and capabilities. It then has a core competencies section that puts key skills at the beginning of the resume to immediately show the reader you have the right skill set for the job.

Your financial advisor resume needs to convince a prospective employer or client that you are the best candidate for the role. It is important to use strong action verbs in your job descriptions like “oversaw,” “lead”, “create”, and “delivered.

Keep your job descriptions brief and focused on how you leverage your skills to contribute to the organization and clients. Avoid just listing tasks or standard responsibilities that are common to any job. You want to impress the person reading your resume, so you need to include things that will make your work history pop. Don’t list the same things for each job, even if you had the same type of job, so that you can show you have a diverse skill set.

Another key thing to include in your job descriptions is what you did to positively help your employer and clients. Having specific achievements will show that you are a valuable financial advisor. As a financial advisor, you probably have extensive education and training. Make sure to include that in a separate education and/or professional training section. 

How to write a great financial advisor resume

A financial advisor knows how to look at the big picture, and your resume needs to portray that. It must concisely encapsulate the entirety of your career, knowledge, and skills. This is not easy to do on a page or even two pages, especially if you have had a long career. Choosing the best format for your resume will help you summarize the most important information.

The reverse chronological order format is the most used and preferred resume style. In your job history section, list your most recent position at the top and work your way backward. Limit your job descriptions to the last ten years of work. This also goes for your education and training, but it is okay to list older degrees and certifications if they are still valid. You can omit dates for older items to reduce an emphasis on age.

If your background is varied, or you have had many jobs, then you might want to go with a hybrid format focusing on your skills and achievements, rather than your work experience. Create larger sections at the top of your resume for describing your skills and specific achievements. This will let your potential employer know what you can do and what abilities you have that will bring value to the job. This is also an especially good approach if you are changing careers or if you have a lot of technology skills related to the financial sector.

Which key skills are relevant for a financial advisor resume?

Financial advisors need to be great with numbers and money management.They also need to collaborate with and communicate well with clients.

Here are some great skills to have on your resume as a financial advisor:

  • Communication

  • Wealth management

  • Problem-solving

  • Data analysis

  • Financial reporting

  • Risk management

  • Business development

Financial Advisor resume example

Example

Summary example

Accomplished and experienced Financial Advisor with the demonstrated ability to build and nurture effective client relationships and drive the sale of financial products and services. Quick learner with a progressive background, punctuated by strong rankings among peers over multiple measures. Self-motivated consultant with excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and closing skills and a proactive approach to business.  Highly ethical professional, dedicated to helping clients achieve their individual financial goals. Series 7 and 63 licensed.

Employment history example

Financial Advisor at GMS GROUP, Houston, TX

2018 - 2022

Developed and cultivated client base through extensive prospecting and relationship building at brokerage focused on the municipal bond market. Engaged in a heavy volume of face-to-face meetings and telephone calls in building business. Researched municipal bonds / bond markets to ensure accurate, up to date information in preparing strategic options for client presentations. Maintained an entrepreneurial mentality in developing and closing business with individuals, banks, and pension funds.

Key Achievements:

  • Created and executed marketing and promotion plan comprised of Internet advertising and online communications reinforced by presentations before business and civic groups.

  • Opened new accounts from self-created leads to produce a substantial new client portfolio.

  • Ranked number one in referrals for Houston branch.

Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, La Jolla, CA

2012 - 2018

Serviced high-net-worth individuals and families with complex financial issues. Reviewed clients’ investment goals and delivered strategic recommendations to meet—or outperform—objectives. Identified asset managers and performed due diligence, monitoring investment performances. Oversaw client relationship management, building and sustaining relationships with clients, cross-department specialists, corporate attorneys, third-party asset managers, and operations staff to support clients’ unique financial goals.

Key Achievements:

  • Received recognition award (Executive’s Club) based on gross production in ’07-’08.

Financial Advisor at Fidelity Investments, Houston, Texas

2008 - 2012

Delivered overarching wealth management / private banking services to high-net-worth female executives in industries encompassing technology, life science, real estate, and corporate law. Developed asset allocation frameworks and constructed portfolios to drive financial goal achievement while maintaining full regulatory compliance. Oversaw manager selection and due diligence process.

Key Achievements:

  • Supported clients with estate and tax planning, wealth transfer, and wealth preservation strategies through close collaboration with tax and legal advisors.

Education example

Bachelor of Science in Finance at UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS, Denton, TX

Skills example

  • Portfolio Development

  • Financial Planning

  • Networking & Referrals

  • Strategic Sales Planning

  • Negotiating & Closing

  • Team Building / Motivation


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