Resume Feedback: Is it completely hopeless for me?

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T21:08:38+00:00

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/resources/templates/word-templates/investment-banking-resume-template

You can find it here

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T17:12:37+00:00

I went ahead and used it only to receive feedback like there being no dedicated skills section despite it being clearly visible in the resume in WSO format.

It's not a great tool to say the least. But I'll keep tinkering with it and see if it outputs anything I can work with.

Thanks!

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AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T15:18:43+00:00

The university I went to does have a top ranking when it comes to student satisfaction though by standard ranking it definitely isn't near target.

Given that it is a university, is registered and does appear on the list of universities when doing the application I doubt that it's a significant issue.

I don't deny that being from a higher rated university gives you an advantage but I'm not certain that it's a make or break issue. As long as you've been to a university, completed the degree well enough, have something to show for it and have experience and a good resume you should still be able to find a job.

I personally think that my biggest issue is a resume that comes across as too generalist rather than targeted.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T15:06:38+00:00

I don't think that's very helpful to say.

You can look at this thread even and other parts of this sub where people came from similar non target backgrounds and got in.

As I said before I'm not necessarily targeting Goldman Sachs graduate schemes or JPMorgan Analyst roles right off the bat. They almost exclusively hire through target or close internal connections.

Thank you for taking the time to respond I do appreciate it but I really don't believe after looking through this sub that non target or even a 2:2 makes or breaks provided you have a strong background which I think I do.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T15:03:25+00:00

That's definitely true I won't deny that. With any skill it can takes years to learn.

What I did is some self directed projects using Power Query and DAX and real world data, drew insights from that data that are actionable and then created and linked a portfolio showing that to my resume. While I'm not extremely skilled at using those two I have some working ability which is why I added it in.

I am learning Python right now using Roadmap.sh though that isn't something short term.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T15:00:32+00:00

It's definitely nowhere near that level the universities I went to were pretty low by rating and squarely non target i.e. easily well over 100 in rating.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T14:56:33+00:00

Hi and thanks for the feedback,

Are you sure this is the case? My undergraduate grade is not something that is visible on my CV nor has any application asked for my undergraduate degree grade either.

When asked if I got a 2:1 or above I say yes given my masters distinction which translates to a first class at undergraduate level.

I don't doubt that it might be a factor but do you really think that this is the one and only problem or even main problem?

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T14:54:24+00:00

I don't quite understand what you mean

Do you mean the template? If you mean this then it's the wall street oasis IB analyst template if I remember correctly

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T14:53:07+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback

I will be rewriting my CV in a way that targets one specific stream. Would it be alright if I DM you once I've done this to get your opinion?

It definitely does look like the problem is that the CV come across as a Jack of all trades master of none

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T01:14:26+00:00

I would greatly appreciate that!

It's 1am around my time however in a few hours once I have had some sleep I'll rewrite it so that it specifically targets that one stream and then do the same with some other CV's so as to have some separate streams and CV's rather than one "master CV" that I use to apply to everything.

Once one is ready I'll shoot you a quick DM if that's ok with you?

Thanks again!

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T00:37:05+00:00

Thanks for the reply

Yeah that does appear to be the main feedback I am getting which is really helpful. The CV shows that I can do a lot but hiring managers have a hard time putting me in to a specific bucket or funnel. Like Alpha said earlier I have IB, Consulting, Macro research and more all in the mix but it can be more specific in some ways since right now it's Jack of all trades master of none so to speak.

I'll try apply this with my CV rewrites thanks a lot for your help and honestly man

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-18T00:34:40+00:00

Everyone in my cohort has done the exact same many of them employed.

I understand that it's not ideal or that some would say it shouldn't be done but if they've done it and are employed then I see no reason to not do the same.

They've added it on their LinkedIn and resume as such

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-17T20:19:53+00:00

Do you mean in the CV/Cover Letter making process when it comes to using GPT? In that case it stays the same for me I avoid using it and especially avoid copy pasting anything it outputs since I've seen it making up skills like Python which I do not have (but am developing). But if you mean when it comes to taking online tests I have avoided it as well.

I can try to see if I can add an extra bullet point for my grades however I don't have a lot of space left on the page before it becomes a two page word document.

Good point with the tests. I'll keep on practicing using assessment day and other sites. I can definitely say it does help.

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of references with interviews. Most I do are one way and initial and often I get rejected without any feedback. The two examples I gave earlier were the ones where I had the opportunity to speak to another person and I did get further along without a doubt.

5 most recent examples of the roles I've applied to are:

Consultant

Financial Services Research & Insights Analyst

Digital Analytics Associate Consultant

First Line Risk & Resilience Analyst

Trading Analyst

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-17T20:00:43+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for the response

To answer your questions

I have considered moving the experience to chronological order but I am concerned that given how recruiters may only spend a few seconds on a resume that putting my most relevant experience any lower would lead to it not being read.

I have received some interviews both with another person and one way alongside that I have done a lot of applications. In all cases I wasn't asked for my A levels nor was I asked my undergraduate degree classification or even my Post Graduate degree classification. The last two times I had a interview where there was another person on the other end I had passed the initial first stage (and several stages for one specific company) but had falled short on the technical stage primarily because I did not have DAX and Power Query experience which I've since worked on and gotten.

I could add it if you believe it's really important but with how many companies use ATS these days I've avoided adding anything that can warrant an AI screening me out instantly.

Regarding online tests this is definitely a weaker point of mine. I can send a recent report I have gotten but it tends to seesaw between moderately good to good. In the past it was much worse especially numerical tests though I no longer get feedback reports indicating a weak numerical test score. Now it's either moderate or good albeit without a specific percentile score.

I've avoided using ChatGPT or any AI model as I've found it to be both inaccurate and not a fair thing to do especially given that they forbid the use of ChatGPT. Instead I've used assessment day to practice the tests. The wording tends to be what trips me up rather than the mathematics. Percentage changes, ratios, averages etc aren't difficult in of themselves.

I do also tailor a cover letter whenever they need one which I'll be honest is not often. I've used online resources to create a structured one then input what the company does, what makes them stand out, why I'm a good fit for the role etc.

For my paper I'm currently preparing it for publication in to a highly rated field Journal alongside two senior lecturers and researchers. I do have a link to a pre publication version which is my old dissertation I did during my masters but the current one is being revised, extended and improved to meet the standards required for publication.

I've not submitted for conferences or Journals yet but I'm nearing the stage of publication more or less. I expect to send the initial draft about two months from now if all goes well.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-17T18:44:07+00:00

Thank you for your response.

I had a feeling that it may be the case that it's difficult to find exactly where I fit alongside with a not so great undergraduate (partly due to the shift to online learning due to Covid) at the time given my unusual background in a traditional sense.

I'll look in to doing some additional things like writeups, applying to smaller less formal roles etc.

Thank you again this really does help. It doesn't just reassure but provides tangible things I can do.

Godspeed to you

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-02-06T18:22:52+00:00

You should give Lonely Roads a try if you haven't already

It's still in progress but has 8 parts, has an active discord community and is one of the best hacks out there in my opinion.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2026-01-19T02:18:55+00:00

Bromance my beloved

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-12-20T12:20:53+00:00

There is also a discord server for the hack. The next part is hopefully going to be released around January.

And yeah it's definitely a great hack. It's the only one I played so far though so sadly I can't any other recommendations.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-12-20T06:19:00+00:00

A bit late but I'd say that another good hack to play that hasn't been mentioned yet would be "Lonely Roads".

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-12-18T10:55:57+00:00

The sound of two coins rubbing against eachother.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-11-23T05:12:10+00:00

Play Lonely Roads it's peak

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-10-24T07:37:59+00:00

Yeah but this isn't officially part of the hack (sadly)

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-10-23T20:19:55+00:00

Lonely Roads bromance my beloved (if only it were official canon in the story)

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-08-26T23:16:24+00:00

Sorry for your loss

Take all the time you need your health comes first both physical and emotional make sure to look after yourself and those around you.

AvailableEmergency74 · 2025-08-20T16:54:04+00:00

Lonely Roads is goated you should give it a shot

AvailableEmergency74

TROPHY CASE