Interesting Resume Situation
Background: I have been working at a small RIA in a LCOL city as a research analyst since graduating from a non-target 4 years ago. We run a concentrated value equity strategy using separately managed accounts. I am responsible for pitching new ideas for the portfolio and handling maintenance for positions that are already in the portfolio. I have been operating in this function since my first day (definitely much better today than on day one). I work directly under the CIO and I am the only other investment professional in the firm.
My issue: Comp progression concerns have led my to update my resume for the first time since undergrad. After a brief time updating responsibilities for my current position, the internship I had at the same firm before graduation and considering my non-target alma mater, I realized I may have the worst resume on the planet compared to my real life experience. No brand value for university or company even though I have 4 years of actual research experience.
Potential solution: Non-traditional resumes seem to generally be a bad idea but I was toying around with only including my basic experience and education. Then, instead of adding boilerplate detail/skills, I am considering adding a brief, half-page stock pitch. I have multiple ideas for this and can easily get the main points of one into the space available without cramming.
My questions: Am I over thinking this? Will the non-traditional format just hurt me more than my lack of resume material if I were to begin to apply to different long-only shops? I am confident I can differentiate myself with the pitch and the entire point of putting it on the resume is to get it past HR and getting an interview. How would this type of resume be received by a head hunter or HR person?
In my mind, a pitch is the best way to guage someone's experience.
If your goal is to get your resume thrown in the trash immediately, this is a solid plan.
If not, do a normal resume and highlight your relevant experience. Then prep a brief pitch or two to discuss on networking calls.
I worked for 3 years as a research analyst at a smallish RIA directly under the MDs and the CIO and was the only other full-time investment professional so it sounds like we have had fairly similar experience. I definitely know what you mean about feeling like your resume looks like shit and doesn't accurately reflect reality because I had some of that too. That said, definitely do not use a nontraditional approach-- this problem is surmountable. Use the IB template but where bankers put "selected deal experience" break out some of your larger projects like white papers/deep dive research pieces. Also, you could include a few selected successful pitches, especially interesting or contrarian plays where your idea generated alpha i.e. pitched investment in $XXX in Jan 2019 based on pricing dislocation discovered via cash flow analysis versus competitors.
Also, this is totally unrelated to your question, but I was curious about the phrasing you used. Do you run a concentrated value equity strategy by investing in other manager's SMAs or do you guys manage SMAs using a concentrated value equity strategy?
Happy to connect if you drop your username, btw.
Thanks for the feedback.
We run a concentrated value equity strategy through SMAs. We pick the stocks but use SMAs rather than a fund structure.
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