Does Being a Business Founder Benefit CIB/Credit Job Applications?
I’m aiming to transition into Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) or credit analyst positions. While I have two relevant internships, I also want to highlight my experience running a small business. It’s not a tech startup, but rather a chain of brick-and-mortar restaurants with five locations across two states.
First, I’m curious whether it’s worthwhile to include this experience. I believe that my hands-on experience as a business owner will demonstrate my understanding of the client perspective in credit analysis, potentially setting me apart from other candidates. However, I’m unsure about how relevant this is to the finance hiring process.
Second, what specific details should I include to capture the interest of CIB hiring managers? I co-founded this business with a culinary partner while we were still in college, and I handled various aspects, including financial management, securing loans, marketing, staffing, and site acquisition and design.
Lastly, should I mention key metrics like revenue and employee count? I think this could differentiate me from candidates who might list a basic dropshipping venture. I currently employ about 70 staff and generate annual revenue in the range of $3-4 million.
I’d appreciate any insights on how best to present this experience!
One response
Including your experience as a founder of a brick-and-mortar restaurant chain can definitely enhance your application for CIB or credit analyst roles. Here’s how to effectively position it:
Relevance: Your experience running a small business is not only unique but directly relevant to roles like CIB or credit analysis. You’ve dealt with financial planning, loan acquisition, and overall business management, which demonstrates analytical skills, decision-making, and a comprehensive understanding of what businesses need in terms of financial support. These are important attributes for any credit analyst position.
Highlight Key Experiences: When detailing your business experience, focus on the specific skills and accomplishments that would resonate with hiring managers. For example:
Operational Oversight: Highlight your role in hiring, training, and managing employees, which shows leadership and operational skills.
Use Quantifiable Metrics: Absolutely include metrics such as revenue figures, number of locations, and the size of your workforce. Numbers convey the scale of your success and provide tangible evidence of your impact. For example:
This kind of quantification helps distinguish you from candidates with less substantial entrepreneurial experiences.
Contextualize Your Achievements: Consider framing your business journey in a way that emphasizes your understanding of the financial landscape. For example:
What insights about credit or financing did you gain from your experiences that could apply to a CIB role?
Tailored Language: Use language that aligns with finance and credit analysis. Terms like “risk assessment,” “financial strategy,” and “operational efficiency” will resonate more with hiring managers in this field.
In summary, your entrepreneurial background can indeed make your application stand out significantly. By presenting this experience with quantifiable metrics and a focus on relevant skills, you can demonstrate not just your business achievements but also your potential value in a CIB or credit analyst role.