How to Get a Finance Internship: Skills, CV, Interviews and More

Quick answer: To get a finance internship, show employers three things: basic skills (Excel, reading financial statements, attention to detail), proof of interest (projects, clubs, courses), and a CV and cover letter written for finance. Then apply widely, network, and practice both behavioral and technical interview questions. You can start with no experience. This guide covers the how; for the benefits and types of finance internships, see our guide to summer internships in finance.

What employers look for in finance interns

Teams hiring interns know you are still learning. They look for a few basics and a sensible attitude.

• Excel: formulas, sorting, simple charts and clean, tidy sheets.
• Financial statements: you can explain what the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement show.
• Attention to detail: numbers have to be right, and a small error can spread through a whole file.
• Relevant coursework: accounting, economics, statistics, corporate finance or similar.
• Communication: you can explain a number in plain words and ask good questions.

Some applicants also work toward a finance certification or take a short course. This can show effort, but it is not usually a requirement for an internship. Do not delay your applications to finish one.

Build your profile when you have no experience

Many applicants have never worked in finance. You can still build proof of interest in a few months.

• Do a small project. Build a simple budget model in Excel, or pick a listed company and summarize its financial statements in one page.
• Join a student investment or finance club. Group research and pitches look good on a CV.
• Enter a case competition. It shows teamwork and clear thinking under time pressure.
• Take an online course. Choose one on accounting basics, Excel or financial modeling, and finish it.
• Follow the news. Read about markets and the economy regularly so you can talk about it naturally.

Part-time jobs and society roles count too. Handling cash, keeping a society budget or working to deadlines are all useful examples.

CV and cover letter tips for finance

• Keep it to one page. Finance recruiters read quickly, so use clear headings and short bullet points.
• Lead with relevant items. Put coursework, projects, clubs and skills such as Excel near the top.
• Be specific. Say what you did and what you used, for example "built a budget model in Excel".
• Tailor each application. Match your wording to the role and name the team or area that interests you.
• Check every detail. A typo in a finance application suggests you may make errors in spreadsheets.

In your cover letter, answer three questions in short paragraphs: why finance, why this organization, and what you can contribute now. Do not repeat your CV line by line.

Where to find finance internships

• Company careers pages. Banks, asset managers, insurers and finance teams inside larger companies often post internship roles directly. Note opening dates and apply early.
• Your university careers office. Staff can review your CV, share employer contacts and tell you about careers fairs.
• LinkedIn. Search for internship roles, follow companies and use alumni connections to ask for short advice chats.
• Networking. Careers fairs, society events and alumni talks lead to roles that are never advertised. Follow up politely after you meet someone.

Apply to many roles, keep a simple tracker of dates and responses, and send a short follow-up if you hear nothing for a while.

The finance interview

Most interviews mix behavioral and technical questions. Prepare for both.

Behavioral questions

• Why finance?
• Why this company?
• Tell me about a time you worked in a team.
• Describe a time you had to meet a tight deadline.

Prepare two or three real examples from your studies, clubs or part-time work. For more practice, read our guide to internship interview questions.

Technical basics

• Walk me through the three financial statements.
• How do they link together?
• What is the difference between revenue and profit?
• What is a budget, and how would you check one for errors?

Market awareness

• What is something you have followed in the markets recently?
• How might a change in interest rates affect a company?

Use current, trusted news sources before the interview, and be honest if you do not know something. Explaining how you would find the answer is better than guessing.

What to expect on day one and week to week

Day one is usually an introduction. You meet your team, get access to systems and learn who to ask for help. Expect to hear what projects the team is working on and how your work will be checked.

After that, tasks vary by team, but typical intern work includes:

• collecting and cleaning data in spreadsheets
• helping with budgets, forecasts or expense tracking
• researching companies, industries or market trends
• preparing simple reports or slides for the team
• administrative tasks such as filing and organizing documents

Each week, ask for feedback and show you can learn from it. Check your work twice before sending it, and ask questions early. Small tasks done carefully build trust, and trust leads to bigger tasks.

Interning in finance abroad

Singapore and Hong Kong are two major finance hubs in Asia, and both are popular with interns who want an international finance experience. AIP has finance pages for each: finance internships in Singapore and finance internships in Hong Kong.

A few things to know:

• Interns never do licensed or regulated work.
• Most international internships are unpaid, so budget for living costs.
• Placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, so apply well ahead.
• Host companies work in English, and if we accept you and can't place you, you get your full deposit back.

FAQs

How do I get a finance internship with no experience?

Start with what you can show: coursework, an Excel project, a case competition or a student investment club. Add an online course if you like. Then apply widely and tailor each CV and cover letter. Employers hiring interns expect you to be early in your career, so willingness to learn counts.

Do I need a finance degree to get a finance internship?

Not always. Many applicants study finance, economics, accounting or business, but others come from math, engineering or other subjects. What matters is that you can show interest in finance, basic numeracy and care with detail.

What questions are asked in a finance internship interview?

Expect "why finance?", "why this company?", a request to walk through the three financial statements, and questions about something you have followed in the markets. You may also get behavioral questions about teamwork and deadlines.

Can I do a finance internship abroad?

Yes. Singapore and Hong Kong are two well-known finance hubs, and AIP places interns in both. Most international internships are unpaid, placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, and if we accept you and can't place you, you get your full deposit back.

Do finance interns handle real money or give advice?

No. Interns never do licensed or regulated work. You support the team with tasks such as research, data, spreadsheets and admin, under supervision.

Ready to look at your options? See our finance internship page for how AIP can help you find a placement.