Will Founding a Business Help with CIB/Credit Job Applications?
I’m looking to transition into Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) or credit analyst roles and have two relevant internships under my belt. However, I’m contemplating whether to include my experience as the founder of a small business in my resume. While it’s not a tech startup, I established a brick-and-mortar restaurant chain with five locations across two states.
My first question is: does it make sense to highlight this experience? I believe that managing and growing a business provides valuable insights into the credit analysis process, which could differentiate me from other candidates. I’m just unsure how important this experience is since I’ve never been involved in finance hiring before.
Secondly, what details should I include to capture the attention of CIB hiring managers? I co-founded this business with a culinary partner from college, and my responsibilities encompassed everything from financial management and securing loans to marketing, hiring and training staff, as well as site acquisition and design.
Lastly, should I list revenue and the number of locations or employees? I believe that showcasing my achievement—employing around 70 people and generating approximately $3-4 million in revenue—would set me apart from candidates who might only have minimal entrepreneurial experience, like a $5,000 dropshipping venture.
I’d appreciate any insights you can share!
One response
Including your experience as a founder of a small business on your resume can definitely help you stand out when applying for roles in Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) or as a credit analyst. Here are a few points to consider:
Relevance: Your experience running a restaurant chain demonstrates valuable skills that are applicable to CIB and credit roles, such as financial management, growth strategy, risk assessment, and operations. You’ve dealt with real financials, loans, and the management of a business, which can show hiring managers that you can handle analytical and decision-making tasks.
What to Include: When detailing your business experience, focus on quantifiable achievements and skills that align with what CIB and credit roles require. Highlight key aspects such as:
Growth and Expansion: Describe your role in scaling the business, as it speaks to your understanding of market dynamics and strategic planning.
Quantifying Success: Including metrics like revenue, number of locations, and employees will help make your experience more impactful. The figures you provided (around $3-4 million in revenue and 70 employees) are impressive and will help differentiate you from other candidates. This data provides concrete evidence of your success and can be attractive to hiring managers.
Tailor Your Narrative: You can frame your narrative around how running your business helped develop essential skills relevant to CIB and credit analysis:
Therefore, it’s a great idea to include your experience running the restaurant chain on your resume, especially if you present it in a way that highlights the transferable skills and achievements. Good luck with your applications!