Ensuring that your CV stands out in the competitive private equity sector can be a daunting task, given the high calibre of candidates vying for limited positions. By utilising our guide, you'll receive tailored advice on how to enhance your CV's appeal, ensuring your skills and experience are presented in the most compelling way to potential employers.
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your private equity CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your private equity CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your private equity CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your private equity CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a private equity CV
- Investment track record showcases past success and relevant experience.
- Industry specialisation presents expertise in specific sectors.
- Deal origination and execution illustrate hands-on experience in sourcing and completing investments.
- Financial modelling and analysis skills reflect competence in evaluating investment opportunities.
- Educational background emphasises qualifications and relevant knowledge base.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your transaction experience by detailing your involvement in deals, emphasising your role in sourcing, executing, and exiting investments, as well as the financial impact of your contributions.
- Quantify your achievements by exploring the results you brought to previous positions, such as improvements in portfolio company performance or successful fundraisings, to demonstrate your impact on the bottom line.
- Showcase your financial modelling and analytical skills, as these are crucial for private equity roles; include specific examples of complex models you've developed or analyses you've conducted.
- Emphasise your ability to work in high-pressure environments by providing examples of tight deadlines or challenging situations that you navigated successfully.
- Demonstrate your understanding of industry sectors relevant to private equity by including any sector-specific knowledge or experience you hold, illustrating your ability to identify and capitalise on market trends.
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How to present your contact details and job keywords in your private equity CV header
Located at the top of your private equity CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for private equity:
- Associate Director, Private Equity | Growth Strategies | LBO Expertise | CFA Level II | 7 Years' Experience
- Private Equity Analyst | Due Diligence Specialist | Emerging Markets Focus | CIMA Qualified | 4 Years' Experience
- Senior Investment Manager | Portfolio Optimisation | M&A Integration | MBA | 12+ Years in Private Equity
- Junior Private Equity Associate | Market Analysis Enthusiast | Financial Modelling | 2 Years Professional Experience
- Principal, Private Equity | Value Creation | Operational Turnaround | ACCA | 15+ Years Industry Leadership
- Investment Executive | Private Equity | Sector Specialist: Healthcare | Risk Assessment | 9 Years' Track Record
Choosing your opening statement: a private equity CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a private equity job:
- Seasoned finance professional with over a decade of experience in managing multi-million-dollar investment portfolios, specialising in maximising return on investment and risk management strategies. Notable achievement includes leading a successful $200 million acquisition and integration process for a global investment firm.
- Adept financial analyst with 8 years of experience adept in quantitative analysis, financial modelling, and due diligence. Spearheaded the turnaround of a distressed asset portfolio, resulting in a 25% increase in profitability within two years.
- Highly motivated former management consultant seeking to transfer a robust analytical skill set and strategic prowess into the realm of private equity, after a prosperous 5-year tenure at a top-tier firm where I steered key business transformations for multinational corporations.
- Accomplished tech entrepreneur looking to pivot into private equity, bringing a unique perspective from founding and scaling a successful SaaS company to an $80 million exit. Expertise in market analysis, growth hacking methods, and technology sector trends will fuel data-driven investment decisions.
- Eager to initiate a career in private equity, leveraging a strong academic foundation with a Master's in Finance and internships at top-tier banks. Committed to contributing to deal scouting and analysis while acquiring hands-on experience in portfolio company management and value creation strategies.
- Recent economics graduate aiming to apply a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and financial instruments within a private equity setting. Poised to utilise keen research and due diligence capabilities to support the identification and execution of lucrative investment opportunities.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your private equity CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Demonstrate your analytical skills by highlighting your experience in financial modelling and valuation. Specify any advanced Excel techniques and software you are proficient in.
- Illustrate your investment track record by detailing successful deals you've closed. Include size, industry, and your direct role in the transaction.
- Showcase your ability to source and execute deals by discussing your networking strategies and relationships with deal referral sources.
- Exhibit your due diligence capabilities by outlining processes you have run or participated in. Mention specific sectors or types of transactions you have experience with.
- Mention any experience with portfolio management, including post-acquisition strategies and operational improvements you've successfully implemented.
- Underline your project management skills by referring to instances where you led cross-functional teams in a transaction or post-investment integration.
- Detail your experience in fundraising and investor relations. Include your role in preparing LP presentations and handling due diligence queries.
- Highlight any international experience if applicable, especially if it includes emerging markets, to demonstrate a broad investment perspective.
- Emphasise your communication abilities by including experiences where you've worked with senior stakeholders, boards, and investment committees.
- Led the due diligence process for a £250 million acquisition of a manufacturing firm, enhancing the company portfolio and synergies.
- Managed a small-cap investment portfolio generating a 20% IRR over four years, significantly above industry benchmarks.
- Negotiated with founders and leveraged in-depth industry analysis to secure a 30% stake in an emerging FinTech startup.
- Structured complex leveraged buyouts that increased assets under management by £600 million within a highly competitive mid-market space.
- Executed end-to-end cross-border M&A transactions, collaborating with international teams to integrate acquired entities smoothly.
- Implemented cost-saving measures for portfolio companies, averaging a reduction in operational expenses by 15% annually.
- Spearheaded a growth equity investment initiative resulting in a 2.5x return over a three-year period through strategic guidance and financial restructuring.
- Guided a portfolio company through a successful IPO, outlining the strategy and managing expectations of various stakeholders.
- Cultivated strong relationships with C-level executives, leading to exclusive investment opportunities and partnerships.
- Orchestrated turnaround strategies for underperforming portfolio entities, reversing losses and driving a 25% increase in profitability within two years.
- Developed sophisticated financial models to evaluate potential investment returns, influencing the decision-making process for assets totalling over £350 million.
- Fostered junior team members through mentorship, enhancing the overall analytical capabilities of the department.
- Championed the launch of a new sector-focused investment fund, raising £200 million in capital commitments from institutional investors.
- Conducted comprehensive market research and formulated investment theses that successfully guided the acquisition strategy in the healthcare sector.
- Pioneered the implementation of ESG criteria within the investment screening process, promoting sustainable and ethical investing practices.
- Oversaw a portfolio restructuring plan that resulted in divesting non-core assets, thereby increasing focus on high-growth sectors.
- Initiated and managed fruitful relationships with investment banking firms to ensure a steady flow of high-quality deal origination.
- Achieved successful exits through strategic sales and recapitalizations, providing substantial returns to limited partners.
- Instrumental in launching a technology-focused investment initiative that created a 40% YoY growth in the value of tech portfolio companies.
- Developed and executed a streamlined post-merger integration process for newly acquired companies, minimizing costs and maximizing operational efficiency.
- Led negotiations for a high-profile leveraged buyout that doubled the enterprise value of the portfolio company within five years.
- Identified and evaluated potential investment opportunities in emerging markets, resulting in a record 35% increase in regional investments.
- Facilitated the strategic planning and execution of value-enhancement initiatives for portfolio companies, culminating in a marked improvement in their market positioning.
- Directed the firm's participation in a landmark infrastructure fund, committing £100 million to projects that showed strong potential for economic impact.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Key private equity CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your private equity CV:
Financial Modeling
Valuation Techniques
Due Diligence
Deal Structuring
Market Analysis
Portfolio Management
Financial Analysis
Leveraged Buyouts
Investment Strategies
Capital Raising
Negotiation
Leadership
Communication
Strategic Thinking
Problem Solving
Time Management
Teamwork
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Interpersonal Skills
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Your university degree and certificates: an integral part of your private equity CV
Let's take you back to your uni days and decide what information will be relevant for your private equity CV. Once more, when discussing your higher education, select only information that is pertinent to the job (e.g. degrees and projects in the same industry, etc.). Ultimately, you should:
- List only your higher education degrees, alongside start and graduation dates, and the university name;
- Include that you obtained a first degree for diplomas that are relevant to the role, and you believe will impress recruiters;
- Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or publications, if you happen to have less experience or will need to fill in gaps in your professional history.
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional private equity CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
