Trader Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a trader provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving monitoring P&L statements and analyzing market trends. A strong resume for trader applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a trader resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a trader resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your trader resume.
Main elements of a trader resume
A successful trader resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections. For junior candidates with little work experience, other sections of the resume take on more prominence and might be placed before the work experience section. These could include education, skills, projects, hobbies and volunteer work.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
Your trader resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
John Reyes
john.reyes@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/john–reyes123
Resume Objective
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for trader roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a trader.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for trader jobs below.
Good example:
Bachelor of Science in Finance with extensive experience as an Equity Trader. Proven expertise in executing high-volume trades, analyzing market trends, and managing risk. Strong proficiency in using trading platforms and financial software. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement trading strategies to maximize returns. Adept at working in fast-paced environments and making data-driven decisions. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
Bad example:
Finance professional with a background in trading and market analysis. Experience in handling trades and looking at market patterns. Familiar with using various tools and software related to finance. Involved in creating plans to improve outcomes. Comfortable in busy settings and making choices based on data. Possesses skills in analysis, solving issues, and communication
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to trader positions. Consider adding quantitative analysis techniques, analytical problem-solving or any other necessary skills for the job. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key trader skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
How to include hard skills on your trader resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a trader resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a trader resume.
- Financial market analysis
- Risk management strategies
- Quantitative analysis techniques
Listing soft skills on your trader resume
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a trader resume, see below.
- Analytical problem-solving
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Risk management acumen
Education and Qualifications
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for trader roles.
If you're applying for trader positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Science in Finance will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your quantitative analysis techniques or risk management strategies.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Finance, 2017 - 2020
Duke University, Durham, NC
Licenses and Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a trader. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for trader roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a trader resume:
- CFA Charterholder, 2022
- Series 7 License, 2022
- FRM Certification, 2022
Employment History
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a trader. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Equity Trader, January 2022 - Present
Global Ventures Trade Co, Riverside
- Generated a 25% annual portfolio return over three consecutive years through strategic trading and risk management
- Successfully managed a $50 million portfolio, consistently outperforming market benchmarks by 15%
- Executed high-volume trades with an accuracy rate of 99%, minimizing slippage and maximizing client profits
Bad example:
Equity Trader, January 2022 - Present
Global Ventures Trade Co, Riverside
- Managed financial assets to achieve positive outcomes for clients
- Conducted trades to enhance portfolio performance
- Implemented strategies to optimize investment results
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Expert Tip:
Tailor your resume to the job by including keywords from the job description and focusing on skills that align directly with the role’s requirements. (1) Use a professional layout with consistent headings and formatting to ensure your resume stands out visually. (2)
Additional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a trader resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a trader. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your trader resume. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
Standard trader resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your trader resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Analyzed
- Negotiated
- Executed
- Monitored
- Strategized
- Forecasted
- Evaluated
- Optimized
- Advised
- Facilitated
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Sample resume for trader positions
The trader resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
•
john.reyes@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/john–reyes123
Bachelor of Science in Finance graduate with extensive experience as an Equity Trader. Skilled in executing trades, analyzing market trends, managing portfolios, and mitigating financial risks. Proven track record of achieving profitable trading outcomes and optimizing investment strategies. Proficient in utilizing trading platforms and financial analysis tools. Strong analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.
Equity Trader
2020
-2022
Summit Capital Trading, LLC (Garland)
- Increased portfolio returns by 25% over two years through strategic asset allocation and risk management
- Executed high-frequency trades with 98% accuracy, resulting in a 15% reduction in transaction costs
- Managed $200 million in assets, consistently outperforming benchmark indices by 10% annually
Financial market analysis
Risk management strategies
Quantitative analysis techniques
Analytical problem-solving
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Risk management acumen
CFA Charterholder
Series 7 License
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a trader resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in trader jobs (e.g. 'evaluated', 'optimized', 'advised').
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Keep your trader resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your trader experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't fill up your trader resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When writing your trader resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
Frequently Asked Questions about a trader resume
After writing your trader resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the trader role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
As an experienced trader, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. You may wish to include a longer-than-average work experience section in your trader resume, to emphasize your career experience to date and showcase relevant achievements in work. In your trader resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for trader positions at first glance. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Junior Trader Seeking Opportunities
- Expert Financial Markets Trader Specialist
- Seasoned Trading Expert and Strategist
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Takeaways for a winning trader resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
