Is it weird if I put a deal I originated during my SA stint on my CV? (Unique situation)

Hi all,

Recently interned at a LMM boutique and had the opportunity to originate a £25m sell-side which sold to quite a well-known MM PE house. By originate, I mean I literally cold-emailed the management team, set up the first initial meetings, made the marketing materials, and the deal signed within a few weeks (whilst I was still interning).

It closed a couple of weeks after my internship - their data room was really good which made DD relatively simple.

Is this weird/arrogant to put this on my CV? Especially the specific action word “originated” which is obviously what I did but not sure how it comes across.

Thanks!

8 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, it's not weird to include deal experience on your resume, especially if you were significantly involved in the process. Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Highlighting Achievements: It's important to focus on your achievements rather than just listing tasks. Your involvement in originating and executing a deal is a significant achievement and should be highlighted.

  2. Professional Experience: Ensure that your resume clearly differentiates between professional experience and other types of experience. Your role in originating a deal at a boutique IB qualifies as professional experience.

  3. Specific Action Words: Using specific action words like "originated" is appropriate as long as it accurately reflects your role and contributions. It demonstrates initiative and the ability to drive results.

  4. Deal Experience: Including selected transaction experience on your resume is common practice, especially if you were involved in key stages of the deal process. Make sure to list the deal after it has closed.

  5. Humility and Salesmanship: While it's important to be honest, you also need to sell your experience. Avoid downplaying your role, but ensure that your description is accurate and not exaggerated.

In summary, including the deal you originated during your internship on your CV is not weird or arrogant. It's a significant achievement that demonstrates your skills and initiative. Just ensure that your description is accurate and reflects your actual contributions.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/oh-how-i-judge-your-cv?customgpt=1, Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, Dealing with elitism while networking, Can you put deal experience on your resume as an intern?, Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example

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You should absolutely put this on your CV (obviously subject to any appropriate confidentiality, etc.) This is, frankly, exemplary contribution. If you don't toot your own horn nobody is going to do it for you (of course be a human being and not arrogant in how you present it, etc.)

Yes use the word "originated". People will be skeptical. My advice would be to literally write what you did (i.e. "Originated £25m sellside transaction through cold outreach to target management team") 

 

Second this. This is exactly what people are looking for in the medium to long run… hard skills are a given, but this grind is what gets you an MD promo, not sitting on your ass, reciting/regurgitating some valuation specificities or industry news everybody knows.

Put it on the CV and, as previous poster said, make sure it is clearly explained in a non-boasting way.   These things don’t happen often — had something similar by “originating” a deal at an industry conference (rather falling into it when discussing some stuff as intern with a banker of an affluent entrepreneur) and we didn’t even end up doing it but a partner came by after a few days and said that this has never happened to him.   Keep it up and remember: commercial awareness and attitude are what sets you apart, not only in IB/PE but in plenty of other roles as well… fingers crossed for your recruiting process!

 

I almost thought this was a troll (conceivably a retarded giveadvicepls fever dream)—until I read the comments

 

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