Private Equity Resume Template
October 14, 2024
Breaking into the highly competitive world of private equity (PE) requires more than just financial expertise—it demands a resume that highlights your ability to analyze investments, execute deals, and drive value creation. Whether you’re transitioning from investment banking, consulting, or another area of finance, a well-crafted resume tailored for PE roles can make all the difference in landing an interview.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essential sections of a successful private equity resume and provide tips to make your CV stand out.
1. Contact Information
Your resume should begin with clear, professional contact information. This section is straightforward but important—it’s your first impression and must make it simple for potential interviewers to contact you. Try to avoid unnecessary details like social media profiles unless they specifically showcase relevant professional insights (e.g. LinkedIn or a personal finance blog).
2. Education
Private equity firms look for candidates with strong academic credentials, particularly in finance, economics, or accounting. In this section, emphasize your degree, relevant coursework, and any academic honors. If you’ve completed any certifications related to private equity, financial modeling, or valuation, make sure to include them.
Tips:
- Highlight courses relevant to private equity, such as financial modeling, corporate finance, and mergers & acquisitions
- Mention any relevant certifications or professional development programs, such as CFA coursework or private equity training programs
- If you have a strong GPA or honors, don’t hesitate to include them
To further enhance your CV, enroll in the Private Equity course which offers over 70 hours of bespoke online training designed to fully prepare any analyst with the skills and knowledge for a role in Private Equity.
3. Professional Experience
The professional experience section is the heart of your resume for a private equity role. This is where you’ll showcase your experience working on financial transactions, due diligence, and value creation – all key areas that PE firms focus on.
If you’ve worked in investment banking, consulting, or an adjacent finance field, emphasize deal experience, financial analysis, and client-facing roles. Use bullet points to list key responsibilities and, most importantly, the results you achieved.
Example:
Conducted financial due diligence and valuation analysis on over $500M worth of potential acquisitions, leading to a successful $120M merger deal
Built financial models and performed sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of different capital structures on a $50M acquisition
Collaborated with senior bankers to structure financing solutions for a leveraged buyout (LBO), contributing to a deal that delivered a 15% IRR
In this section:
- Focus on deal experience: whether it’s mergers & acquisitions, leveraged buyouts (LBOs), or restructuring, quantify the deals you worked on and highlight your role
- Demonstrate results: quantify your contributions wherever possible (e.g., successful deals, value created, time saved, or capital raised)
- Highlight financial modeling: showcase your expertise in valuation, modeling, and analysis—skills that are highly valued in private equity
4. Leadership and Project Experience
Private equity firms value leadership and initiative, so if you’ve taken on leadership roles, whether in professional settings or school organizations, make sure to highlight these experiences. This section can include roles where you managed teams, organized investment strategies, or led key initiatives.
Examples of strong leadership and project experience:
Led a team of 10 students in conducting mock investment pitches, including due diligence on real-world companies
Organized and hosted networking events with private equity professionals, providing career opportunities and mentoring for club members for two-years
Developed a club portfolio strategy for a simulated $1m fund, achieving a 14% return within one academic year
Leadership in clubs, internships, or community organizations shows that you can take initiative—something PE firms are keen to see in associate hires. A career in Private Equity requires individuals to be able to work independently (to conduct due diligence or negotiations) as well as interact as a team when making investment decisions.
5. Skills and Certifications
In the world of private equity, technical skills and certifications can set you apart from other candidates. Be sure to list any relevant financial modeling skills, technical expertise, and certifications that align with PE roles.
What to include:
- Financial modeling skills: these are crucial for PE roles, so highlight any experience with LBO modeling, DCF (discounted cash flow) models, and sensitivity analysis
- Certifications: include any certifications like CFA or specific PE-related training (e.g. Financial Edge’s The Private Equity Deal Maker certificate).
- Technical expertise: if you have experience with tools like Excel, PowerPoint, and financial databases (e.g., Capital IQ, Bloomberg), list them here
6. Interests
Private equity recruiters often appreciate well-rounded candidates who bring diverse interests and unique perspectives to the table. If you have interests that demonstrate commitment, discipline, or intellectual curiosity, this is a good section to include them.
Interests can help show personality beyond your professional life, but they should be included only if they’re relevant or give you an edge (e.g. interests related to the finance industry, entrepreneurship or leadership).
Conclusion
Your resume is your chance to demonstrate your analytical skills, leadership abilities, and deal-making experience. Focus on showcasing quantifiable results, deal exposure, and your passion for value creation. Tailor your resume to emphasize financial modeling, project management, and any experience relevant to private equity, such as leveraged buyouts or corporate strategy.
By following this structured approach, you’ll be well on your way to landing a private equity interview and taking the next step in your investment career.