Financial Advisor Resume examples & templates
Copyable Financial Advisor Resume examples
Ever wondered why financial advisors are in such high demand these days? It's not just because people are worried about their retirement (though that's definitely part of it). The truth is, we're living through a perfect storm of financial complexity. With pension plans disappearing, investment options multiplying, and life expectancies stretching well into the 80s and 90s, more Americans than ever are seeking professional guidance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% growth rate for personal financial advisors through 2031 — much faster than the average for all occupations.
The role has evolved dramatically too. Today's financial advisors aren't just investment pickers; they're holistic planners who navigate tax strategies, estate considerations, and increasingly, behavioral coaching. Some specialize in specific niches (like doctors dealing with student loans or tech employees with stock options), while others serve as generalists. With robo-advisors handling the basics, human advisors are focusing more on complex planning and relationship building. The field is becoming more diverse as well, with firms actively recruiting advisors who reflect the changing demographics of wealth in America. For those who blend analytical skills with genuine people skills, financial advising offers a career path that's both lucrative and personally rewarding.
Junior Financial Advisor Resume Example
Michael (Mike) Dunham
Boston, MA | (617) 555-2091 | mike.dunham@email.com | linkedin.com/in/mikedunham
Entry-level Financial Advisor with internship experience at a regional wealth management firm and a Series 7 license. Finance graduate with strong analytical skills and genuine passion for helping clients understand complex financial concepts. Known for building rapport quickly with clients and explaining investment strategies in straightforward terms.
EXPERIENCE
Junior Financial Advisor – Cambridge Financial Partners, Boston, MA (June 2023 – Present)
- Support 2 senior advisors managing combined assets of $78M for 125+ clients
- Prepare client review materials including portfolio performance reports, retirement projections, and goal tracking summaries
- Conduct research on mutual funds, ETFs and fixed income products to support investment recommendations
- Assist with onboarding 7 new client relationships representing $1.2M in new assets
- Handle administrative tasks including scheduling appointments, preparing paperwork, and maintaining CRM system
Financial Planning Intern – Northeast Investment Management, Boston, MA (Jan 2023 – May 2023)
- Shadowed advisors during client meetings and helped prepare financial plans using eMoney software
- Assisted with market research for quarterly client newsletters and investment committee meetings
- Created Excel models to analyze historical fund performance and fee structures
- Learned compliance procedures and documentation requirements for client accounts
Bank Teller (Part-Time) – Citizens Bank, Boston, MA (Sept 2021 – Dec 2022)
- Processed deposits, withdrawals, and other transactions while maintaining 99.7% accuracy rate
- Identified opportunities to refer customers to bank’s financial advisors, generating 17 qualified leads
- Recognized twice for exceptional customer service based on client feedback
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Finance – Boston University, Boston, MA (May, 2022)
- GPA: 3.74/4.0
- Relevant coursework: Investment Analysis, Financial Planning, Tax Strategies, Estate Planning
- Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA) student chapter
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Series 7 – General Securities Representative (May 2023)
Series 66 – Uniform Combined State Law Examination (July 2023)
Life & Health Insurance License – Massachusetts (August 2023)
SKILLS
- Financial Planning Software: eMoney, MoneyGuidePro (basic)
- Investment Analysis: Modern Portfolio Theory, Asset Allocation
- Client Communication: Meeting Prep, Presentation Skills
- CRM Systems: Redtail, Salesforce
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills)
- Bloomberg Terminal (basic proficiency)
- Social Media Marketing for Financial Services
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Boston Chapter
Member, Young Professionals in Finance – Boston
Mid-level Financial Advisor Resume Example
Marcus Wheeler
Boston, MA | (617) 555-8762 | m.wheeler@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/marcuswheeler
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Financial Advisor with 5+ years of experience helping clients navigate complex financial situations and achieve long-term goals. Skilled in retirement planning, investment strategies, and building client relationships that last. Consistently exceeded new client acquisition targets by 18% while maintaining a 94% retention rate through market volatility.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Financial Advisor | KeyPoint Financial Services | Boston, MA | June 2021 – Present
- Manage investment portfolios for 87 high-net-worth clients with combined assets of $42M, consistently outperforming market benchmarks by 4.7%
- Developed custom retirement planning strategies that increased average client contributions by 23% within first year of implementation
- Lead weekly financial literacy workshops for clients and prospects, resulting in 14 new client relationships worth $3.8M in assets under management
- Mentor 3 junior advisors on client relationship management techniques and complex product offerings
- Created proprietary retirement calculator that reduced planning time by 35% while improving accuracy of projections
Financial Advisor | Meridian Wealth Management | Cambridge, MA | August 2019 – May 2021
- Built client base from 0 to 56 clients with $18M in assets under management in under 2 years
- Implemented tax-efficient investment strategies that saved clients an average of $4,200 annually
- Ranked #2 out of 24 advisors in client satisfaction surveys (4.8/5.0 rating)
- Collaborated with estate planning attorneys to develop comprehensive wealth transfer strategies for 12 high-net-worth families
Financial Advisor Associate | Boston Capital Group | Boston, MA | March 2018 – July 2019
- Supported senior advisors in managing 140+ client relationships and $75M in assets
- Conducted market research and prepared investment recommendations for client portfolio reviews
- Created detailed financial plans for 45+ clients utilizing MoneyGuidePro and eMoney software
- Helped streamline client onboarding process, reducing paperwork completion time from 2 weeks to 3 days
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Finance | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 2017
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) | Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards | 2020
Series 7 & 66 Licenses | FINRA | 2018
Life, Health & Variable Annuity Insurance License | State of Massachusetts | 2018
SKILLS
- Retirement Planning
- Investment Management
- Tax-Efficient Strategies
- Estate Planning
- Client Relationship Management
- Financial Analysis
- Risk Assessment
- MoneyGuidePro & eMoney
- Morningstar Research
- Bloomberg Terminal
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Member since 2019
- Boston Estate Planning Council – Associate Member
Senior / Experienced Financial Advisor Resume Example
ALEXANDRA “ALEX” RIVERA
Boston, MA • (617) 555-8247 • alex.rivera@email.com • linkedin.com/in/alexrivera
Trusted financial advisor with 11+ years guiding clients through complex investment landscapes. Specialize in retirement planning and wealth management for high-net-worth individuals ($1M-$5M portfolios). Consistent record of retaining 94% of clients during market volatility while growing managed assets by $43M over the past 4 years. Series 7, 63, and 65 licensed with CFP certification.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Financial Advisor | Meridian Wealth Management | Boston, MA | 2018 – Present
- Manage $78M in assets for 47 high-net-worth clients, providing personalized wealth management strategies that resulted in average portfolio growth of 8.7% annually (outperforming market index by 1.3%)
- Built specialized retirement planning service that attracted 14 new clients with combined assets of $27M in the first year
- Lead bi-weekly investment committee meetings, presenting market analysis and making recommendations that influenced firm-wide investment strategies
- Mentor 3 junior advisors on client relationship management and complex financial planning techniques
- Created and implemented firm’s first ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investment portfolio option, which now comprises 22% of total assets under management
Financial Advisor | Commonwealth Financial Group | Cambridge, MA | 2015 – 2018
- Managed $42M portfolio for 35+ clients while maintaining 93% client retention rate during volatile market conditions
- Developed comprehensive financial plans integrating retirement, tax, estate, and risk management strategies
- Conducted 65+ financial workshops for local businesses and community groups, generating 27 qualified leads and $3.8M in new assets
- Collaborated with estate attorneys and CPAs to optimize client tax strategies, saving clients an estimated $147K collectively
Financial Services Representative | New England Financial | Boston, MA | 2012 – 2015
- Ranked in top 10% of representatives nationally for new client acquisition (38 new clients in 2014)
- Assisted senior advisors with financial plan development and portfolio reviews
- Built client base from scratch to $12M in managed assets within 3 years
- Passed Series 7 and 63 exams within first 6 months of employment (scored 89% and 92% respectively)
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) | Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards | 2017
Master of Business Administration, Finance Concentration
Boston University Questrom School of Business | Boston, MA | 2014
Bachelor of Science, Economics
University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA | 2011
Licenses & Certifications:
- Series 7 (General Securities Representative)
- Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent)
- Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser)
- Massachusetts Life, Accident & Health Insurance License
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
- Wealth Management & Asset Allocation
- Retirement Income Planning
- Tax-Efficient Investment Strategies
- Estate Planning Coordination
- Risk Analysis & Management
- Client Relationship Management
- eMoney & MoneyGuidePro
- Bloomberg Terminal
- Morningstar Direct
- CRM (Redtail Technology)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Boston Chapter, Member since 2016
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), Member since 2018
- Boston Estate Planning Council, Associate Member since 2019
How to Write a Financial Advisor Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect Financial Advisor role means putting together a resume that showcases not just your financial expertise, but your ability to build client relationships and drive portfolio growth. Your resume is often the first impression you'll make on potential employers, and in the competitive financial services industry, you need to stand out from the crowd. I've reviewed thousands of Financial Advisor resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to how well they communicate value in specific, measurable terms.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and professional—this isn't the place for creative designs or fancy fonts. The financial industry tends to be conservative, and your resume should reflect that sensibility.
- Stick to 1-2 pages (one page for juniors, two pages max for experienced advisors)
- Use a standard, readable font like Calibri or Arial in 10-12pt size
- Include clear section headings with a touch more emphasis (bold, slightly larger)
- Maintain consistent spacing and alignment throughout
- Save and send as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for Word)
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should grab attention in 3-5 lines. Think of it as your 30-second elevator pitch that highlights your specialization, years of experience, and biggest selling points.
Skip the generic "dedicated professional seeking opportunity" language. Instead, try something like: "Series 7 & 66 licensed Financial Advisor with 6+ years managing $17M in client assets, specializing in retirement planning for healthcare professionals."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll spend most of your resume real estate. For each position, include:
- Company name, location, your title, and dates (month/year)
- 3-6 bullet points showcasing achievements (not just responsibilities)
- Quantifiable results whenever possible (dollar amounts, percentages, client numbers)
For example, rather than "Responsible for client portfolio management," try "Grew average client portfolio by 12.7% annually while maintaining conservative risk profiles, outperforming market benchmarks by 3.2%."
If you're newer to the field, emphasize transferable skills from previous roles—sales experience, relationship management, analytical abilities, etc.
Education and Certifications
In financial advising, your credentials often matter as much as your experience. List degrees in reverse chronological order, followed by certifications and licenses.
- Degrees: Include institution, graduation year, degree type, and major
- Certifications: List CFP, CFA, Series 7, Series 66, insurance licenses, etc.
- Continuing education: Include relevant coursework or specialized training
If you're a recent graduate, you can place this section before your experience. For seasoned advisors, it belongs after your work history.
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many firms use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. Include industry-specific keywords from the job description, such as:
- Asset allocation
- Wealth management
- Client acquisition
- Portfolio analysis
- Fiduciary responsibility
- Financial planning
Place these naturally throughout your resume—don't just stuff them in. The ATS needs to see them, but eventually, a person will read this too.
Industry-specific Terms
Show your expertise by correctly using industry terminology. Mention specific financial products you're familiar with, planning software you've mastered (MoneyGuidePro, eMoney), and regulatory frameworks you understand (SEC, FINRA, DOL fiduciary rule).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about production numbers or client acquisition results
- Focusing on duties instead of achievements
- Omitting licenses or certifications (even if in progress—just note "anticipated completion")
- Using outdated industry jargon or misusing terminology
- Including irrelevant personal information
Before/After Example
Before: "Helped clients with their investments and retirement planning needs."
After: "Developed comprehensive retirement strategies for 47 high-net-worth clients ($250K-2M in investable assets), resulting in 93% client retention during market volatility and $3.2M in new assets under management through referrals."
Remember—your resume isn't just a history of where you've worked. It's a marketing document that should position you as the solution to the problems the hiring firm is facing. Good luck with your application!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Financial Advisor resume
- Active listening and rapport-building that helps clients feel at ease when discussing financial matters (even the uncomfortable ones)
- Translating complex financial concepts into plain English without making clients feel talked down to
- Emotional intelligence to recognize when clients are stressed about money decisions – and responding appropriately
- Conflict resolution, especially when working with couples who disagree about financial priorities
- Time management that balances client meetings, portfolio analysis, and staying current on market trends
- Persuasive communication that helps clients stick to their long-term plans during market volatility
Hard skills for your Financial Advisor resume
- Series 7 and Series 66 Licenses
- Financial planning software (eMoney, MoneyGuidePro)
- Portfolio rebalancing tools (Morningstar, BlackRock Aladdin)
- Tax-loss harvesting techniques
- Retirement income distribution modeling
- Bloomberg Terminal proficiency
- Life insurance and annuity product analysis
- Excel financial modeling (NPV, IRR calculations)
- FINRA compliance protocols