Deal Performance vs. Deal Experience
Hello all, I'm a PE Senior Associate refreshing my resume. I've been lucky enough to have closed a few transactions, which have had varying levels of outcomes.
I recognize there isn't a clear answer here, but for resume purposes what is weighted more, deal "performance" or deal "experience". As in, is it more advantageous to list a deal that is performing poorly but I've received strong hands-on experience with, or should I list a deal that is performing decently but I haven't been as actively involved (partly given there are less fires to put out). Curious to get thoughts on ultimately what matters more.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, when it comes to resumes, deal experience generally carries more weight than deal performance. Here's why:
Deal Experience is Key for Interviews: Private equity firms and other finance roles prioritize your ability to discuss deals in-depth during interviews. As highlighted in WSO threads, a significant portion of interviews revolves around your ability to articulate your role, challenges faced, and the insights gained from specific deals. Even if a deal performed poorly, the hands-on experience and problem-solving skills you demonstrate can be highly valuable.
Performance is Secondary: While deal performance can be a nice bonus, it is often seen as a result of external factors beyond your control. Recruiters and hiring managers are more interested in what you contributed to the deal and how you handled your responsibilities.
Highlight Active Involvement: If you were deeply involved in a deal, even if it didn’t perform well, it’s better to showcase that experience. It demonstrates your ability to manage complex situations, which is a critical skill in private equity.
Balance is Ideal: If possible, include a mix of deals that highlight both strong performance and active involvement. However, prioritize deals where you can confidently discuss your role and contributions in detail.
Ultimately, focus on deals where you can showcase your impact, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills, as these are the aspects that resonate most with recruiters.
Sources: Q&A: 3rd Year PE Associate ($10bn+ AUM, MBO/LBO, equity, mezz, distressed debt), Private Equity Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, Deal experience on resume?, Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes
I'd include the deals where you had more experience that you can speak to. At your level, I wouldn't expect you to be a driving force for whether an investment performed well or not, but I would expect you to talk through that company's performance in detail and how you managed through difficult situations. We all deal with tough investments at some point.
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