Private Equity Resume PDF Template, Examples, and Tips

Private equity bankers raise funds for businesses via investment. Here’s how to create a resume that shows you can handle this responsibility.

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By Ho 4 minute read

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What to highlight in a Private Equity Resume?

Choosing a career as a private equity associate can be very rewarding, so giving yourself the best chance to land a job with the perfect private equity resume is essential.

Private equity associates need to show recruiters ‌that they understand the investment market. This includes sourcing investors and understanding the capital structure, middle-market, new investments, and undertaking due diligence.

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Structure of a Private Equity Resume

Your private equity resume structure will usually depend on the resume format.

You can choose a chronological or combination resume format that shows off your employment history and skills.

Job seekers with ample experience choose a chronological format that will highlight work experience, beginning with the most recent job first. If you lack experience or you don’t have any experience as a private equity analyst or investment banker, then you can choose a functional resume to show off your skills.

Regardless of the resume format you choose, your resume will probably have similar sections such as:

  • Resume summary
  • Skills
  • Work history
  • Education

Let’s dive deeper and discover how to make a resume:

Header

Your resume header presents your contact details, allowing the hiring manager to contact you with important updates about your application. In this section, include:

  • Your name
  • Location
  • Email address
  • Phone number

If you have lots of industry experience but not enough room on your resume, then you can include a link to professional networking sites. Sites like LinkedIn are great ways to give the hiring manager or recruiter more information about your experience and skills.

Resume summary or objective

Your resume summary or objective is a short paragraph at the top of your resume that is your chance to grab the hiring manager’s attention. This section should include information that might encourage the recruiter to continue reading or invite you to an interview.  A resume summary is usually two to three sentences and highlights your key skills, experience, and qualifications that will make you the ideal candidate for the role.  If you don’t have a lot of experience, then you can include a resume objective that outlines your career goals and intentions. This is a great chance to talk about why you’re interested in investment opportunities and what your future career goals are.

Skills

Equity associates need many skills to understand formulas and the investment market. The best resumes will have a good combination of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are role-specific and soft skills are transferable across multiple industries. Soft skills are your personality attributes and character traits.

If you don’t have any experience in private equity roles, then your resume skills section will be very important.

When thinking about the correct terms that sum up your industry knowledge, consider these hard skills to create the perfect resume:

  • Financial analysis
  • Financial modeling
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Quantitative research
  • Restructuring
  • Knowledge of financial services
  • Research for an investment thesis
  • Understanding of hedge funds
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Real estate and asset valuation
  • Management consulting
  • Market research
  • EBITDA formula
  • DCF formula
  • Collaborating with senior management
  • Calculating ratios

Work history

Private equity associates usually need work experience with portfolio companies to work in a private equity role.

You should list your experience in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent experience. This gives the hiring manager or recruiter the most up-to-date information.

You should list your duties in bullet point format under each job title. You should also include the firm’s name, location and the date you started and finished.

You should also include your key accomplishments if you have previously worked for PE firms. This can include metrics from deal experiences to show that your work has positive impact on clients.

To help you format this section, consider using a resume sample or resume builder.

Education

Your education section is an important part of your resume and shows that you have the relevant training to fulfill the job description. Private equity professionals will usually need a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting, mathematics or a relevant field to show they can assess financial reports.

You should list your degree title and the year you obtained it.

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Do’s and Don’ts for a Private Equity Resume

Do's
  • Proofread your resume to make sure there are no spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors.
  • Include as many role-specific keywords to help the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) select your resume during processing.
  • Use a private equity resume template to give your resume structure.
Don'ts
  • Include any irrelevant information, such as your high school GPA.
  • Make your resume summary section too long.
  • Forget to include a references section at the end of your resume. This can consist of any professionals in senior management, such as your CFO, supervisor or manager.

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FAQ: Private Equity Associate Resumes

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Yes! Cover letters are a great way to give the hiring manager or recruiter more information about your qualifications and skills. Cover letters allow you to explain why you’re the ideal candidate. The information you provide in your cover letter might entice the hiring manager or recruiter to contact you.

  1. Keep your sentences short. 
  2. Remove any unnecessary phrases or fillers. 
  3. Ensure there are no spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 
  1. Gain a bachelor’s degree. 
  2. Find work experience. 
  3. Build up your portfolio by working with established businesses.

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WRITTEN BY Ho

Ho is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

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