How to write deal experience on the resume?

To effectively present deal experience on your resume, even with limited deal flow, here’s what you need to know based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. Include Cancelled and Live Deals

• It’s acceptable to include cancelled or live deals, but you must phrase them carefully to avoid overstating your involvement or misleading potential employers.
• Use phrases like:
  • "Worked on a $Xbn [Buy-Side/Sell-Side] Advisory for [Industry/Type of Company]."
  • "Conducted due diligence and financial modeling for a $Xmm acquisition of [Company A] (deal cancelled)."
• Highlight your specific contributions, such as financial analysis, market research, or creating pitch materials.

2. Pending or Unannounced Deals

• For deals that are expected to close soon but are not yet publicly announced, you can include them with anonymized details.
• Use placeholders like "Company A" or "Buyer A" instead of specific names.
• Example phrasing:
  • "Advised on a $Xmm acquisition of Company A, expected to close in [Month/Year]."
  • "Supported a $Xbn merger between Buyer A and Seller B, pending announcement."

3. Structure Your Resume

• Create a "Transaction Experience" section to showcase your deal work.
• For each deal, include:
  • Deal size and type (e.g., $500mm Sell-Side M&A).
  • Your role and specific contributions (e.g., "Built valuation models, conducted industry research, and prepared client presentations").
  • Anonymized or general details if the deal is unannounced.

4. Focus on Your Role

• Be clear about your involvement without exaggerating. For example:
  • "Assisted in financial modeling and due diligence for a $Xmm acquisition of [Company A]."
  • "Prepared pitch materials and conducted market analysis for a $Xbn capital raise."

5. Highlight Tangible Impact

• If possible, emphasize measurable outcomes or unique contributions:
  • "Identified cost synergies leading to a $Xm valuation adjustment."
  • "Flagged critical errors in financial projections, improving deal accuracy."

6. Prepare for Interviews

• Be ready to discuss your deals in detail, including challenges, your specific contributions, and lessons learned. Employers often ask questions like:
  • "What was your role in this deal?"
  • "What challenges did you face, and how did you address them?"

By structuring your resume this way, you can present even limited deal experience in a professional and impactful manner, increasing your chances of standing out during lateral interviews.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/breaking-into-private-equity-from-banking?customgpt=1, Deal experience on resume?, Breaking into Private Equity from Banking, Case Competition on Resume, How to write about deals on resume