Should I include my real estate development/investment business as a experience?

During university I gained a lot of interest in real estate and started a real estate investment business where I gained outside capital to do a few flips and bought commercial real estate as a business. I ran it by myself and did around $2.5m in business of which of course most went back to the people that invested. 

But I want to do IB Real estate so should I include it? I have another experience which I don't include which was at Toyota in Data Analytics and my other internships have been in Asset Management and P/E. 

2 Comments
 

Absolutely, you should include your real estate development/investment business as experience. Based on the most helpful WSO content, showcasing entrepreneurial ventures, especially in real estate, can significantly strengthen your profile for IB Real Estate roles. Here's why:

  1. Direct Relevance: Your experience in real estate investment and development aligns perfectly with the skills and knowledge required in IB Real Estate. It demonstrates hands-on experience in the industry, which is highly valuable.

  2. Entrepreneurial Initiative: Starting and running your own business highlights your initiative, leadership, and ability to manage complex projects. These are qualities that stand out to recruiters.

  3. Quantifiable Success: The $2.5M in business volume is a tangible achievement that showcases your ability to execute deals and manage capital effectively.

  4. Differentiation: Many candidates may have traditional internships, but your entrepreneurial experience sets you apart and adds a unique dimension to your resume.

When including it, ensure you: - Highlight key achievements (e.g., "Secured $X in outside capital, managed $2.5M in transactions, and delivered X% ROI to investors"). - Emphasize transferable skills like financial modeling, deal structuring, and market analysis. - Keep it concise and professional, avoiding overly casual language.

As for your Toyota Data Analytics experience, it may not be as directly relevant to IB Real Estate, so prioritize your real estate business and other finance-related internships. Tailor your resume to emphasize experiences that align with the role you're targeting.

Sources: Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/breaking-into-private-equity-from-banking?customgpt=1, Investment Banking Resume Template - Official WSO CV Example, corporate development regrets?, Deal experience on resume?

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

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