What does a “strong” finance resume actually look like for undergrads?

That’s a thoughtful question, and I completely understand your concern — it’s true that many finance resumes can start looking very similar, especially when everyone uses the same templates and phrases. But having worked with many undergrads preparing for banking and PE roles, I can tell you that a “strong” finance resume is less about having a perfect checklist and more about clearly showing evidence of excellence, impact, and momentum in whatever you’ve done so far.

For undergrads, yes: name-brand internships help because they signal you’ve been vetted by selective organizations. But leadership roles, whether in student groups, sports teams, or even personal projects, can carry just as much weight if you can demonstrate tangible results or growth. Technical experience is important too, but rather than simply listing that you know DCF or financial modeling, you want to reflect how you applied those skills- for example, by building a model for a competition, contributing to a student fund, or doing a valuation on your own initiative.

When structuring bullet points, the best resumes avoid vague claims like “responsible for” or “helped with.” Instead, they focus on what you delivered: did you increase efficiency, save time, improve analysis, help close a deal, or win a competition? Even as a student, small wins matter if you frame them with clarity and outcome. So while templates are helpful as a base, the key to standing out is filling them with substance that feels specific and authentic to your own journey, not just what you think recruiters want to hear.

Great question — and it’s smart you’re thinking about this early on.

A “strong” finance resume for undergrads is really about quality over quantity and showing clear evidence that you can handle the kind of work these firms do.

First, having name-brand internships definitely helps because recruiters recognize those companies and trust their vetting process. But if you don’t have one yet, don’t panic — smaller firms or relevant roles still count, especially if you can show impact.

Leadership roles are great because they show initiative and responsibility, but only if they’re meaningful and relevant. Don’t just list “member of club” — highlight what you actually did and what changed because of you.

Technical skills matter a lot — things like Excel modelling, financial analysis, maybe even some coding or data tools. If you can mention specific projects where you used these skills, that’s even better.

When it comes to bullet points, focus on actions and results. Instead of saying “Responsible for financial analysis,” say “Built Excel model to analyze cash flow, enabling team to identify $100k in cost savings.” Numbers catch attention and show real impact.

Also, tailor your resume to the role — if you’re applying for IB, highlight financial modelling and deal-related experience; if PE, focus more on due diligence or valuation projects.

Structure-wise, keep it clean and easy to read. Start with your education and relevant coursework, then internships, leadership, skills, and any extracurriculars.

Lastly, if you can include any finance competitions, certifications (like CFA Level 1 or Excel courses), or personal finance projects, those add nice color.

In short, a strong finance resume shows you can think analytically, take initiative, and deliver results — not just that you have a list of activities.

If you want, I can help you draft or review your current resume!