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When applying for a job as a stockbroker, it is imperative that you format your résumé in a way that makes you stand out above the crowd of applicants. Like you, the other applicants will bring their licensing, education, and work experience to the table. It is up to you to add some spice that will make your dish “tastier” than the others.

Licensing

In order to be a stockbroker, you must pass the Series 7 and 63 exams. These securities licenses allow you to trade stocks and bonds. If you already have these licenses, be sure to list that in your Summary of Qualifications. If not, emphasize your commitment and willingness to obtain the licenses within a specified amount of time set by your potential employer.

Education

You should list any postsecondary education on your résumé. This is especially important if you have a degree in Finance, Economics or Business Management. If you have obtained other certifications as the result of completing additional training courses, list those as well.

You should also consider listing the kind of education that is attained outside of the classroom. Are you a member of an investment club that meets on a regular basis to discuss different investment topics? Do you meet with a mentor on a regular basis to get tips on working as a stockbroker? Meeting with others that are in the business is a great way to learn and network. In other words, you should tailor the education section of your résumé to portray yourself as a person with a dynamic personality, one who is ever willing to learn and can easily adapt to the ongoing changes in the financial services industry.

Work Experience

The best kind of education is most often obtained “on the job.” Having the necessary securities licenses and a college degree will certainly set you apart from others who do not have these certifications. However, firms want to see what you can and will do with the tools that you have. Highlight the following when drafting your résumé:

• Your track record –Which firms have you worked with? What is your sales experience? What was your sales volume?  What kind of revenue did you generate? Remember, this job is mostly about numbers.
• Your customer service skills – It is vital that you are able to connect and develop relationships with your clients. This connection will facilitate gaining the clients’ trust and locking in sales.
• Your systems knowledge – List all systems experiences. An employer is more likely to hire someone who does not need extensive training on their systems as this translates to a quicker transition in getting you “on the floor” to generate sales.

As a stockbroker, you will be required to have a vibrant sales “mentality” and be a person of quick decisions and action. Therefore, you should use action verbs when listing your work experience. If you do not yet have experience as a stockbroker, highlight transferable skills from other jobs you have had or volunteer work you have performed. The ultimate goal is to sell yourself to your potential employer. If you can do that, there is a greater chance that you will be allowed to sell their products.

When applying for any job, the short term goal is to grab the attention of the employer. Using a canned cover letter or traditional resume may not allow you to accomplish that. It is crucial to your success that you take the time to make sure your cover letter and resume specifically highlight your experience that relates to the role. To highlight your qualifications when applying for writing jobs, keep in mind the following considerations for your writing experiences.

Volunteer Writing

Never underestimate the effect of describing your volunteer experience as a writer. Many people don’t consider mentioning their volunteer work when applying for a job because they don’t think it’s worth it. But remember, the employer wants to know that you are an effective writer, not if you made money doing it. Noting your volunteer experience serves two purposes. It shows that you can write well and that you are passionate about a given cause.

Freelance Writing

Many freelance writers deal with a great dilemma when deciding to abandon the life of a freelancer and embark on the journey of a full time staff writer. Some freelance writers work from home, while some full time staff writers work in the company’s office. This in itself can be quite an adjustment. But more than that, many freelance writers stumbled upon the profession because they have a natural love of writing, not years of formal training or knowledge as a staff writer, and so their resumes may reflect this. Keep in mind, most employers don’t read every line of every resume they receive. They quickly scan them to make sure you have the skills they are looking for. If you find yourself in the category of one who has served as a freelance writer, and the rest of your employment history in a field or industry that has no relation to writing, consider creating a “writing credentials” section and list it before the “employment history”. You have a better chance of “standing out” in the mind of the employer.

Full Time Writing

It goes without saying that you want to list your previous full time writing experience when applying for a job as a full time writer. But, don’t assume the experience will speak for itself. You have to make it “speak”, make it colorful, wow the employer with your writing style, clarity, and effective vocabulary when describing your role at your previous company (ies). Going the extra mile when writing your resume is another way of showing the potential employer that you have the skills to go beyond the call of duty, which can be an asset to any company.
When writing your resume to apply for a job as a staff writer, be sure to include all of your experience that relates to what the company is looking for. No matter how minor you think it may be, include it. Who knows, that little blurb about you “volunteering at a summer writing camp for 3rd graders” could be just what you need to get to the top.