Short-Term Role: Include on resume for PE?
How would you all manage this situation?
If you recently started a job in M&A/Corp Dev but plan to continue your search for a role in Private Equity, should you include your current position on your resume, even though you've been there for less than two months? Both roles are within the same industry/coverage sector
Context: You have prior M&A experience but were laid off and took the recent role due to the challenging job market (I was unemployed for ~6 months). How can you best frame this situation to recruiters and funds?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you can approach this:
Include the Role on Your Resume: Even if you've been in the role for less than two months, it’s generally advisable to include it on your resume. This demonstrates that you’ve remained active in the industry and avoided a prolonged employment gap, which can be a red flag for recruiters.
Frame the Role Strategically: Highlight the relevance of the role to Private Equity. Emphasize any deal exposure, transferable skills, or sector expertise that align with PE recruiting. For example, if the role involves M&A or strategic finance, focus on how it has further developed your analytical, modeling, or deal execution skills.
Address the Short Tenure Proactively: Be prepared to explain the short tenure in interviews. Acknowledge the challenging job market and your decision to take the role to stay engaged in the industry while continuing to pursue your long-term goal of transitioning to PE. Recruiters value honesty and a clear narrative.
Leverage Your Prior M&A Experience: Since you already have prior M&A experience, ensure that it remains the focal point of your resume. Highlight significant deals, responsibilities, and achievements from your previous role to reinforce your qualifications for PE.
Spin the Situation Positively: When discussing your current role with recruiters or funds, focus on the skills and experience you’re gaining, rather than the short duration. For example, you could say, “I took this role to deepen my expertise in [specific area] while continuing to pursue opportunities in Private Equity.”
By including the role and framing it effectively, you can present yourself as a proactive and resilient candidate who is committed to advancing in the industry.
Sources: Private Equity Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, Corporate Development Manager - Q&A, corporate development regrets?, Corp Dev / Strategy Role - No Deal Flow?, Just got laid off from my 3rd PE job in 4 years - help!
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