What actually helped you get your first finance-related role?

I’m currently trying to break into finance and I’ve realized that a lot of the advice online is pretty repetitive — “network,” “improve your resume,” “learn Excel,” etc. All useful, but I’m more curious about what actually made a difference for people who were starting out.

For those who landed their first internship, analyst role, or other entry-level finance job, what was the thing that finally got you interviews?

Was it:
• A specific project you put on your resume
• Networking or a referral
• An internship
• Excel/financial modeling skills
• A certification

Something else that isn’t usually mentioned?
I’d especially love to hear from people who didn’t come from a traditional finance background. What did you do to make your application credible when you didn’t have much directly relevant experience?

Would be really helpful to hear what worked for you in practice, not just what you think candidates should do.