Resume Dilemma: Would You Risk It?

Hey folks, 

I’m in the middle of a sell-side deal where the client doesn’t want the advisor’s name disclosed. Once the transaction is public, I’ll be able to share deal details (publicly available) - but not my firm’s involvement. 

Would you still list the client and deal on your resume? Or is that crossing a line? 

Curious to hear how you'd handle it.

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you can handle this situation:

  1. Listing the Deal Without Disclosing Confidential Information: It is acceptable to list the deal on your resume, even if your firm's involvement cannot be disclosed. You can phrase it in a way that highlights your role and the transaction details without naming your firm. For example:

    • "Acted as the analyst on the sale of [Client Description], a leading [Industry/Market Position], to [Buyer Description] for $X billion."
  2. Use Broad Descriptions: If the client or deal specifics are confidential, you can use general terms to describe the transaction. For instance:

    • "Advised on the sale of a $500M revenue company in the Industry sector to a strategic acquirer."
  3. Pending or Unannounced Deals: If the deal is not yet public, you can still include it but avoid naming the client or buyer. Instead, use placeholders like "Company A" or "Buyer A" and provide a brief description of the transaction.

  4. Highlight Your Contribution: Focus on your specific role and contributions to the deal process, such as financial modeling, due diligence, or preparing marketing materials. This demonstrates your skills and experience without breaching confidentiality.

  5. Be Prepared to Discuss in Interviews: During interviews, you should be ready to "talk around" confidential information. This means discussing the deal process, your role, and the transaction's structure without revealing sensitive details. For example:

    • "The company had approximately $500M in revenue and $100M in EBITDA, growing at low double digits, and the buyer was looking to pay 9-11x EBITDA."

By following these guidelines, you can showcase your experience while respecting confidentiality agreements. Always err on the side of caution and avoid disclosing any information that could breach your firm's or client's trust.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/breaking-into-private-equity-from-banking?customgpt=1, Overview of Sell-Side M&A, How to talk around confidential info in deal discussions?, Breaking into Private Equity from Banking, Best Practices for Finding Lateral Opportunities

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

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