Embellishing Resume?

I was an SA at a BB. I have 3 deals listed on my resume, but worked on 5. Is it ok to mix and match. If I didnt pull comps for those 3, but pulled on a smaller deal can I write something like "utilized comparable companies to xyz"

Is this seen as ok. I have the skillset to do everything on my resume. 

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's crucial to maintain honesty and accuracy on your resume. Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Honesty is Key: It's important to be truthful about your contributions. Misrepresenting your role can backfire during interviews if you're asked to elaborate on specific tasks.

  2. Detail Your Role: For each deal, clearly state your specific contributions. If you pulled comps for a smaller deal, mention that deal specifically rather than attributing it to a larger one you didn't perform that task for.

  3. Consistency: Ensure that your resume is consistent and accurately reflects your experience. If you worked on five deals, you can list all five, but be clear about your role in each.

  4. Skillset Representation: It's fine to showcase your skillset, but it should be based on actual experience. If you have the skillset to perform certain tasks, ensure that your resume reflects where and how you applied those skills.

  5. Resume Tense: Maintain consistency in the tense used throughout your resume. This helps in presenting a professional and polished document.

Here's an example of how you might structure your resume entries:

  • Deal 1: Acted as the analyst for the acquisition of Company A by Company B. Conducted due diligence and assisted in the preparation of financial models.
  • Deal 2: Supported the team in the sale of Company C. Performed comparable company analysis and assisted in the creation of pitch materials.
  • Deal 3: Participated in the merger of Company D and Company E. Conducted precedent transaction analysis and contributed to the valuation process.
  • Deal 4: Assisted in the IPO of Company F. Pulled comparable companies and supported the team in the preparation of the prospectus.
  • Deal 5: Worked on the restructuring of Company G. Conducted industry research and assisted in the development of the restructuring plan.

By clearly detailing your contributions, you can effectively showcase your experience and skillset without misrepresenting your role.

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

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Consequatur corporis incidunt sit. Odit aut quae nihil. Sapiente molestias illo eum aut quidem ipsum. Nam ea et molestiae nisi. Voluptatibus sint maiores nam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”