Equity Research Associate Resume examples & templates
Copyable Equity Research Associate Resume examples
While investment banking analysts work on deals with clear finish lines, equity research associates are more like investigative journalists with finance degrees. They're constantly digging through financial statements, interviewing management teams, and building complex models that tell the deeper story behind a stock recommendation. The work never really ends—after you publish that detailed report on why Tesla's battery technology gives it a competitive edge, you're already preparing for their earnings call or tracking new developments in the EV market. Since the 2018 MiFID II regulations hit the industry, research departments have faced pressure to demonstrate unique value, with Bloomberg reporting a 20% decline in research budgets at major banks between 2018 and 2021.
But the field is finding its footing again. Companies are increasingly valuing specialized sector knowledge and differentiated insights that can't be replicated by algorithms. For ambitious financial professionals who love connecting dots between market trends, company financials, and the broader economy, equity research offers an intellectual challenge few other finance careers can match. As markets grow more complex and information more abundant, the need for sharp analytical minds who can separate signal from noise will only increase.
Junior Equity Research Associate Resume Example
Jason Kim
Philadelphia, PA | (267) 555-9082 | jason.kim@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jasonkim
Equity Research Associate with a passion for financial analysis and market research. Experienced in conducting industry research, building valuation models, and supporting senior analysts in the TMT sector. Strong background in financial modeling with proficiency in Excel, FactSet, and Bloomberg. Recent Finance graduate seeking to leverage quantitative skills and industry knowledge to deliver actionable investment recommendations.
Experience
Equity Research Associate – Keystone Capital Management, Philadelphia, PA
June 2022 – Present
- Support senior analysts in coverage of 12 companies within the Technology, Media & Telecom sector, focusing on enterprise software and SaaS companies
- Build and maintain DCF, comparable company, and sum-of-parts valuation models to derive price targets
- Draft portions of research reports including industry overview sections and company updates
- Monitor quarterly earnings calls and create summary notes highlighting key metrics, guidance changes, and management commentary
- Compile industry data and perform competitive analysis to identify market trends and investment opportunities
Investment Banking Summer Analyst – Harrison Partners, New York, NY
June 2021 – August 2021
- Conducted financial analysis and created presentation materials for client pitches in the tech sector
- Assisted in building 3-statement financial models and transaction comps for M&A opportunities
- Participated in due diligence processes, gathering and organizing company financial information
- Researched industry trends to support senior bankers in client meetings (cloud computing, fintech)
Finance Intern – TechVenture Fund, Boston, MA
January 2021 – May 2021
- Helped screen potential investment opportunities in early-stage tech companies
- Created market research reports on emerging technology trends (AI, blockchain)
- Assisted investment team with financial model updates and portfolio company tracking
Education
Boston University, Questrom School of Business – Boston, MA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance Concentration
GPA: 3.74/4.00 | Graduated: May 2022
- Relevant Coursework: Financial Modeling, Investment Analysis, Corporate Finance, Accounting, Statistics
- Activities: Investment Club (VP of Research), Finance & Banking Association
Certifications & Training
- CFA Level I Candidate (Exam scheduled for June 2023)
- Wall Street Prep Financial Modeling Certification (2022)
- Bloomberg Market Concepts Certification (2021)
Skills
- Financial Modeling: DCF, Comparable Analysis, LBO, M&A Accretion/Dilution
- Software: MS Excel (advanced), PowerPoint, Word, FactSet, Bloomberg Terminal, Capital IQ
- Programming: Basic SQL, Python (pandas for data analysis), VBA
- Financial Statement Analysis & Accounting
- Industry Research & Competitive Analysis
- Presentation Skills & Business Writing
- Languages: English (native), Korean (conversational)
Mid-level Equity Research Associate Resume Example
Zachary “Zack” Harrington
zharrington@email.com | (415) 555-0178 | New York, NY 10017
linkedin.com/in/zacharyharrington | CFA Level II Candidate
Equity Research Associate with 5+ years analyzing financial markets and public companies across the TMT sector. Known for developing valuation models that forecast revenue trends with 91% accuracy. Blend of fundamental analysis and quantitative skills with a track record of generating alpha through well-researched investment recommendations. Experienced presenting to institutional clients and contributing to published research reports.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Equity Research Associate – TMT Sector
Morgan Stanley, New York, NY | July 2021 – Present
- Lead financial modeling and valuation for 12 companies in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) vertical, identifying 4 undervalued stocks that outperformed the sector by 17%
- Build and maintain DCF, comparable company, and sum-of-parts valuation models for coverage universe, incorporating scenario analysis to test investment theses
- Conduct primary research including expert network calls, channel checks, and management meetings; synthesized findings into actionable investment recommendations
- Co-authored 7 comprehensive industry reports including the annual “State of Enterprise Software” publication read by 3,000+ institutional clients
- Mentor 2 junior analysts on financial modeling techniques and research methodologies
Equity Research Associate
BMO Capital Markets, New York, NY | August 2019 – June 2021
- Analyzed financial statements and built DCF models for 8 large-cap tech companies, identifying key performance drivers and growth catalysts
- Collaborated with senior analysts to publish 20+ research notes on quarterly earnings, helping to boost team ranking in Institutional Investor survey
- Developed proprietary customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV) analysis framework for SaaS companies that improved prediction accuracy by 23%
- Supported senior analysts during client calls and meetings with C-suite executives, preparing briefing materials and follow-up notes
Investment Banking Analyst
Jefferies Group, New York, NY | June 2018 – July 2019
- Performed valuation analyses including comparable companies, precedent transactions, and LBO modeling for tech M&A transactions
- Prepared client presentations and marketing materials for 3 IPOs and 2 follow-on offerings, totaling $1.7B in transaction value
- Conducted industry research and due diligence for potential transactions in the technology sector
EDUCATION
Cornell University, S.C. Johnson College of Business
Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management | May 2018
Concentration: Finance and Investment Banking
- GPA: 3.78/4.0; Dean’s List: 6 semesters
- Relevant Coursework: Financial Statement Analysis, Valuation, Equity Markets, Financial Modeling
- Cornell Investment Club: Portfolio Manager (2016-2018)
CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Certifications: CFA Level II Candidate (Exam June 2023), Bloomberg Market Concepts, Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
Technical Skills: Advanced Excel (INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, sensitivity analysis), FactSet, Bloomberg Terminal, Capital IQ, Tableau, Python (pandas, numpy), SQL
Analysis Skills: DCF Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Precedent Transaction Analysis, LBO Modeling, Scenario/Sensitivity Analysis, Sum-of-Parts Valuation
Knowledge Areas: GAAP & IFRS Accounting, SaaS Metrics (CAC, LTV, Churn), Industry Research, Competitive Analysis, Equity Valuation, Technical Analysis
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
Senior / Experienced Equity Research Associate Resume Example
Michael J. Richardson
Boston, MA • (617) 555-8924 • michael.richardson@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaeljrichardson
Equity Research Associate with 8+ years of experience analyzing financial markets and securities across healthcare and tech sectors. Known for producing comprehensive financial models that have guided investment decisions for $1.2B in assets. Strong track record of identifying undervalued securities and delivering actionable investment recommendations that consistently outperform market benchmarks by an average of 6.7%.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Equity Research Associate, Tandem Capital Group • Boston, MA • June 2019 – Present
- Lead coverage of 18 companies in the healthcare sector with combined market cap of $230B, creating detailed financial models, industry analyses, and investment theses
- Generated 5 “Strong Buy” recommendations that achieved 23% average return, outperforming S&P Healthcare index by 8.3% in 2021-2022 period
- Manage 2 junior analysts while collaborating with portfolio managers to integrate sector viewpoints into firm-wide investment strategy
- Developed proprietary valuation framework for early-stage biotech companies that improved prediction accuracy by 31% compared to traditional DCF models
- Present quarterly sector outlook to institutional clients representing over $750M in potential investment capital
Equity Research Associate, Meridian Securities • New York, NY • August 2016 – May 2019
- Supported senior analyst in coverage of 12 mid to large-cap technology companies, focusing on semiconductor and hardware subsectors
- Built and maintained complex financial models incorporating industry trends, competitive positioning, and management guidance
- Authored weekly research notes and contributed to comprehensive quarterly reports distributed to firm’s top-tier clients
- Spearheaded implementation of alternative data sources (satellite imagery, credit card data) into research process, which led to 3 major stock calls that generated 19% alpha
- Recognized as “Rising Star” analyst in internal performance evaluations for 3 consecutive years
Investment Banking Analyst, Morgan Stanley • New York, NY • July 2014 – July 2016
- Performed valuation analyses including comparable companies, precedent transactions, and DCF for healthcare and technology M&A transactions
- Assisted in the execution of 7 transactions with aggregate value of $4.2B, including a landmark cross-border pharmaceutical acquisition
- Created client presentations and marketing materials for potential deals and pitch books
- Collaborated with legal and compliance teams to ensure all regulatory requirements were met for transaction documentation
EDUCATION
Cornell University, S.C. Johnson College of Business • Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Science in Finance, Minor in Computer Science • GPA: 3.8/4.0 • May 2014
Activities: Investment Club (Vice President), Cornell Financial Analysts
CERTIFICATIONS
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Levels I, II, III • Completed 2019
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) • Wall Street Prep • 2017
Bloomberg Market Concepts • 2015
SKILLS
- Financial Modeling (DCF, LBO, M&A, Sensitivity Analysis)
- Industry Analysis (Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT)
- Valuation Methodologies (Comps, Precedent Transactions, Sum-of-Parts)
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Capital Markets & Securities
- Expert in Bloomberg Terminal, FactSet, Capital IQ, Reuters
- Advanced Excel (Macros, VBA), SQL, Python (basic)
- Statistical Analysis (Regression, Time Series)
- Financial Presentation & Report Writing
- Team Leadership & Project Management
How to Write an Equity Research Associate Resume
Introduction
Landing an Equity Research Associate role is competitive—you're up against finance grads from top schools and professionals with serious analytical chops. Your resume isn't just a formality; it's your ticket to getting noticed in a sea of qualified candidates. I've reviewed thousands of finance resumes over my career, and the difference between ones that get interviews and ones that don't often comes down to how effectively they demonstrate analytical abilities, financial modeling skills, and industry knowledge. Let's break down exactly what makes an Equity Research Associate resume stand out.
Resume Structure and Format
Wall Street isn't known for creative formatting—and for good reason. Stick with a clean, professional layout that makes information easy to scan.
- Length: Keep it to one page unless you have 7+ years of relevant experience
- Font: Stick with classics like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond in 10-12pt size
- Margins: 0.5-1 inch all around (0.75" tends to work well)
- Sections: Contact info, summary, experience, education, skills, certifications
- File format: Always PDF (never Word) to preserve formatting
Pro tip: Many investment banks and research firms use applicant tracking systems that struggle with tables, headers/footers, and text boxes. Keep your formatting simple and text-based for maximum compatibility.
Profile/Summary Section
This 2-3 sentence opener needs to pack a punch. Focus on your analytical abilities, sector expertise (if any), and quantitative skills. For equity research specifically, mention your financial modeling capabilities and any coverage areas you're familiar with.
Example: "Financial analyst with 3+ years building DCF, comps, and LBO models across healthcare and tech sectors. Experienced in primary research, management interviews, and translating complex financial data into actionable investment recommendations. Proficient in FactSet, Bloomberg Terminal, and Excel."
Professional Experience
This is where the magic happens. Each bullet should showcase analytical skills, research capabilities, or financial insights—not just responsibilities.
- Start with action verbs (analyzed, researched, modeled, presented)
- Include metrics where possible (e.g., "Built 37 DCF models for mid-cap industrial companies")
- Highlight any published research, investment recommendations, or forecasts that proved accurate
- Mention specific sectors covered and methodologies used
- Note any interaction with senior analysts, portfolio managers, or management teams
Education and Certifications
For equity research, your educational background carries significant weight. Feature your degrees prominently, especially if you attended a target school for finance recruitment.
- List degrees in reverse chronological order with GPAs above 3.5
- Highlight finance-related coursework or projects
- Showcase progress toward CFA designation (even Level I is worth noting)
- Include other relevant certifications like FRM, Series 7/63/86/87, etc.
- Mention financial modeling courses from providers like Wall Street Prep or Breaking Into Wall Street
Keywords and ATS Tips
Investment firms often use ATS software as a first-round filter. Include these industry-specific keywords (naturally—don't just list them):
- Financial modeling (DCF, comps, sensitivity analysis)
- Valuation methodologies (EV/EBITDA, P/E, PEG, etc.)
- Research tools (Bloomberg, FactSet, Capital IQ, Thomson Reuters)
- Excel functions (VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables)
- Industry coverage (mention specific sectors)
Industry-Specific Terminology
Demonstrate your familiarity with the field by naturally incorporating terminology like:
- Sell-side/buy-side distinctions
- Earnings models and quarterly estimates
- Price targets and investment theses
- Initiating coverage reports
- Channel checks and primary research
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen countless resume blunders over the years. Don't make these common errors:
- Being vague about your actual modeling skills (be specific about what models you've built)
- Focusing too much on academic achievements if you have work experience
- Claiming industry expertise you don't actually have (interviewers will test this!)
- Using finance buzzwords incorrectly (nothing kills credibility faster)
- Forgetting to proofread (I once saw a candidate claim they were "detail-orented"...yikes)
Remember—your resume is your first financial model. It needs to tell a compelling story about your ability to analyze data, form investment conclusions, and communicate them effectively. Make every word count!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Equity Research Associate resume
- Ability to translate complex financial data into concise investment narratives for clients who might not have technical backgrounds
- Relationship management with portfolio managers and investment committees across different time zones (particularly during earnings seasons)
- Intellectual flexibility to shift analytical frameworks when market conditions change unexpectedly
- Collaborative problem-solving, especially when working with financial modeling teams to stress-test assumptions
- Time management during compressed research cycles – I’ve developed systems to produce quality analysis under tight deadlines
- Active listening during management calls to catch subtle shifts in company guidance or strategy
Hard skills for your Equity Research Associate resume
- Financial modeling (DCF, DDM, WACC) with 5+ years practical application
- Bloomberg Terminal navigation and advanced screening functions
- FactSet for competitive analysis and industry benchmarking
- SQL querying for financial database management (basic to intermediate)
- Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, regression analysis, Monte Carlo simulations)
- Forecast accuracy tracking – maintained 83% accuracy rate over 2-year period
- Industry-specific valuation metrics (EV/EBITDA, P/E, P/B ratios) across sector comparables
- Financial statement analysis with emphasis on footnote examination
- Python for quantitative analysis and data visualization (pandas, matplotlib)