Private Equity Resume examples & templates
Copyable Private Equity Resume examples
Ever wondered what drives those headline-grabbing billion-dollar deals you read about? Welcome to the world of Private Equity—where analytical minds, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills collide to transform underperforming companies into powerhouses. It's not just about the money (though the compensation can be exceptional). PE professionals get to roll up their sleeves and actually shape businesses, working across industries to identify potential, implement change, and create substantial value.
The landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. While mega-funds still dominate headlines, we're seeing a surge in sector-specialized firms focusing on specific niches like healthcare tech, renewable energy, and digital transformation. According to Preqin data, PE firms are sitting on a record $1.78 trillion in dry powder as of Q1 2023—capital waiting to be deployed despite market uncertainties. This stockpile creates unique opportunities for professionals who can identify undervalued assets in challenging economic conditions. Whether you're a financial analyst looking to make the jump, an MBA graduate seeking that coveted associate role, or an experienced professional targeting a principal position, the PE world continues to reward those who combine financial acumen with operational insight.
Junior Private Equity Resume Example
RYAN TAYLOR
New York, NY • (917) 555-2183 • ryan.taylor@email.com • linkedin.com/in/ryantaylor
Private equity analyst with strong financial modeling background, leveraging accounting experience and investment banking internship to drive value creation. Proven track record in transaction due diligence and financial analysis across multiple sectors. Seeking to build on my experience at Wellington Growth Partners and expand into larger deal opportunities.
EXPERIENCE
Analyst, Wellington Growth Partners • New York, NY • January 2023 – Present
- Support deal team on 4 middle-market transactions ($50-150M) in healthcare and business services sectors
- Build and maintain detailed LBO models, conducting sensitivity analysis to identify key value drivers
- Prepare investment committee materials highlighting transaction rationale, market positioning, and growth strategy
- Perform company and industry research, creating executive summaries for potential investment targets
- Assist with portfolio monitoring for 6 companies, tracking KPIs and preparing quarterly updates
Investment Banking Analyst Intern, Morgan Stanley • New York, NY • Summer 2022
- Completed 10-week internship in the Financial Institutions Group, supporting M&A and capital raising transactions
- Created detailed company profiles and comparable analyses for potential acquisition targets
- Built financial models and valuation analyses using DCF, trading comps, and precedent transactions
- Participated in due diligence calls and prepared client-facing presentation materials
Accounting Intern, PricewaterhouseCoopers • Boston, MA • Summer 2021
- Supported audit team for mid-sized financial services clients, reviewing transaction documentation and preparing workpapers
- Gained exposure to SEC filing requirements and financial reporting standards
- Developed Excel skills through analysis of large datasets and financial statement reconciliations
EDUCATION
New York University, Stern School of Business • New York, NY • May 2022
Bachelor of Science in Finance, Minor in Economics
GPA: 3.87/4.0
- Relevant Coursework: Private Equity & Venture Capital, Financial Modeling, Corporate Valuation, M&A
- Investment Club: Vice President (2021-2022), managed $75K student-run portfolio with 23% return
- Case Competition Winner: First place in Blackstone PE Challenge (Spring 2022)
CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Certifications:
- CFA Level I Candidate (Exam scheduled for June 2024)
- Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) – Wall Street Prep, 2022
Skills:
- Financial Modeling: LBO, DCF, M&A, accretion/dilution, scenario analysis
- Software: Excel (advanced), PowerPoint, Bloomberg Terminal, FactSet, Capital IQ
- Valuation: Comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, DCF methodology
- Industry Knowledge: Healthcare services, business services, consumer goods
- Technical: Basic SQL, VBA macros, financial statement analysis
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Intermediate)
Interests: Marathon running (completed NYC Marathon 2023), chess, reading investment books
Mid-level Private Equity Resume Example
JONATHAN REED
Boston, MA | (857) 412-8937 | j.reed@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/jonathanreed
Private Equity Associate with 5+ years experience across mid-market deals and portfolio management. Executed 7 transactions totaling $1.2B in enterprise value, specializing in healthcare and technology sectors. Former investment banking background with strong financial modeling and due diligence skills. Looking to leverage my transaction expertise and industry knowledge in a Senior Associate role.
EXPERIENCE
Meridian Capital Partners, Boston, MA
Senior Associate | July 2021 – Present
- Lead financial analysis and due diligence processes for healthcare investments ranging from $75M-$250M in enterprise value
- Managed 2 successful exits generating 2.8x and 3.1x returns, including a complex carve-out of a medical device manufacturer
- Created comprehensive investment committee materials resulting in 4 approved deals totaling $623M
- Collaborate with portfolio company management teams on value creation initiatives that improved EBITDA by 17% across 3 companies
- Mentor 2 junior associates in financial modeling and transaction processes (they’re actually better at Excel than me now)
Meridian Capital Partners, Boston, MA
Associate | March 2020 – June 2021
- Conducted industry research and financial analysis to identify 12 potential acquisition targets in healthcare IT space
- Built detailed LBO models for 5 potential transactions, 2 of which proceeded to closing
- Performed quality of earnings analysis for a $118M SaaS company acquisition, identifying $1.7M in add-backs
- Assisted in coordinating due diligence workstreams with legal counsel and third-party advisors
Morgan Stanley, New York, NY
Investment Banking Analyst | August 2018 – February 2020
- Supported M&A and capital raising transactions for healthcare clients, with deal sizes ranging from $50M-$2B
- Created financial models, pitch books, and client presentations for senior bankers
- Performed industry and company research to support business development efforts
- Participated in live deal execution, including a $430M IPO for a biotechnology company
EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School
Bachelor of Science in Economics, Concentration in Finance | 2014-2018
GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Dean’s List (all semesters)
CERTIFICATIONS
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – Level II Candidate
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) – Completed 2019
SKILLS
- Financial Modeling (LBO, DCF, M&A, Accretion/Dilution)
- Due Diligence & Deal Execution
- Portfolio Management
- Valuation Methodologies
- Industry Analysis
- Investment Committee Materials
- Microsoft Excel (advanced)
- PowerPoint & Pitch Creation
- Capital Structure Analysis
- Leadership & Team Management
ADDITIONAL
Languages: Spanish (conversational), Mandarin (basic)
Volunteer: Junior Achievement Financial Literacy Program, 2019-present
Interests: Trail running, history podcasts, amateur chef
Senior / Experienced Private Equity Resume Example
RICHARD WESTLAKE
Boston, MA | (617) 555-8294 | r.westlake@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/richardwestlake
Private equity investment professional with 10+ years of experience spanning deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio management, and exit strategy execution. Specialized in middle-market opportunities within healthcare and technology sectors. Consistently delivered top-quartile returns (2.7x average multiple) across $1.2B in deployed capital. Adept at building relationships with management teams and structuring complex transactions in competitive environments.
EXPERIENCE
HIGHLAND CAPITAL PARTNERS, Boston, MA
Senior Vice President (2019 – Present)
Vice President (2016 – 2019)
- Lead deal team managing $450M in AUM across 7 portfolio companies, primarily focused on healthcare technology and services
- Sourced and executed 4 platform investments and 6 add-on acquisitions, delivering a realized IRR of 27% on 2 successful exits
- Spearheaded complex carve-out of MedTech Solutions from larger corporation, reducing time-to-close by 37 days and negotiating favorable earn-out terms that saved $13.8M
- Serve as board observer for 3 portfolio companies; directly mentor CEOs on capital allocation strategies and M&A opportunities
- Restructured underperforming portfolio company (RevCycle Partners) by implementing new management team and strategic pivot, turning negative EBITDA to 14.7% margin within 18 months
AUDAX GROUP, Boston, MA
Associate (2013 – 2016)
- Evaluated 75+ potential investments in industrial manufacturing and business services sectors; developed comprehensive financial models and investment theses for senior leadership
- Participated in due diligence for 8 completed transactions with combined enterprise value of $675M
- Created value-creation playbooks for 3 portfolio companies, identifying $22M in EBITDA improvement opportunities
- Managed relationships with lenders during refinancing of portfolio company, securing $125M credit facility at favorable terms (LIBOR + 375 bps)
GOLDMAN SACHS, New York, NY
Investment Banking Analyst – Financial Institutions Group (2011 – 2013)
- Executed 6 M&A transactions and 4 debt/equity offerings with aggregate value exceeding $4.2B
- Built comprehensive LBO and DCF models to evaluate transaction feasibility and optimal capital structures
- Created client presentations and pitch materials for senior banking team; regularly pulled all-nighters during deal crunch times (but learned a ton!)
EDUCATION
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL, Boston, MA
Master of Business Administration (2016)
• Finance Club President, Private Equity & Venture Capital Club member
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, The Wharton School, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Science in Economics, concentration in Finance (2011)
• Magna Cum Laude, Joseph Wharton Scholar
CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Certifications: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Level III Candidate
Skills:
- Transaction Structuring & Execution
- Financial Modeling & Valuation
- Due Diligence Management
- Portfolio Company Governance
- Buy-and-Build Strategies
- Capital Markets & Debt Financing
- Management Team Assessment
- Value Creation Planning
- Commercial Due Diligence
- Advanced Excel & PowerPoint
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Board Member, Boston Private Equity Association (volunteer role)
Member, Boston College Alumni Mentorship Program
Languages: English (native), French (professional proficiency)
How to Write a Private Equity Resume
Introduction
Breaking into private equity isn't easy. These coveted positions attract hundreds of qualified candidates, and your resume is often your only chance to make a first impression. I've reviewed thousands of PE resumes over my 15+ years in recruiting, and I can tell you this: the difference between getting an interview and getting overlooked often comes down to how well you package your experience. PE firms aren't just looking for smart people—they want candidates who understand the industry's nuances and can demonstrate quantifiable impact.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your PE resume clean, concise, and easy to scan. Most hiring managers spend just 7.4 seconds on their first review!
- Length: Stick to 1 page unless you have 8+ years of relevant experience
- Font: Use standard fonts like Calibri or Arial in 10-12pt size
- Margins: 0.75-1 inch all around (don't squeeze everything in with tiny margins)
- Sections: Contact info, summary, experience, education, skills, additional info
- File format: Always PDF (unless specifically requested otherwise)
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be 2-3 lines that pack a punch. Skip the generic "results-driven professional" language. Instead, highlight your specific PE experience or transferable skills from related fields like investment banking or management consulting.
Don't say you're "passionate about private equity" – show it through your transaction experience, sector expertise, and financial modeling prowess.
Example: "Investment professional with 4 years of M&A advisory experience at Lazard, specializing in healthcare transactions ($250M-$1.2B). Advanced financial modeling and due diligence skills with demonstrated track record of identifying operational improvement opportunities."
Professional Experience
This is the meat of your PE resume. Focus on transactions, deal sizes, and your specific contributions.
- Lead with deal experience (# of deals, total value, industries)
- Highlight specific roles in transactions (sourcing, modeling, due diligence, etc.)
- Quantify everything – ROI, EBITDA growth, IRR, multiple expansion
- Showcase operational improvement initiatives for portfolio companies
- Mention your exposure to investment committees and decision-making processes
Avoid simply listing job duties. Instead, frame your experience in terms of impact: "Led operational due diligence for $478M add-on acquisition, identifying $3.7M in annual synergies that improved exit multiple from 8x to 9.2x."
Education and Certifications
PE firms typically value prestigious educational backgrounds. Place this section higher if you're from a target school or have an MBA. Include:
- Degrees, schools, graduation years (and GPA if above 3.5)
- Relevant coursework (e.g., LBOs, valuation, financial statement analysis)
- CFA, CAIA, or other certifications (with levels completed)
- Leadership roles in finance-related clubs or organizations
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most PE firms use applicant tracking systems to filter resumes. Include these industry-specific terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Deal sourcing, due diligence, financial modeling, LBO, DCF
- Investment thesis, value creation, exit strategy, portfolio operations
- EBITDA, revenue growth, margin expansion, capital structure
- Industry-specific terms for your target sectors (SaaS metrics, healthcare reimbursement, etc.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After reviewing over 3,000 PE resumes, these are the mistakes I see most frequently:
- Being vague about deal experience or transaction values
- Focusing too much on administrative tasks rather than analytical work
- Missing quantifiable results (numbers speak louder than adjectives)
- Overlooking operational experience (PE isn't just about deals)
- Not tailoring your resume to the firm's investment strategy
Before/After Example
Before: "Assisted senior team members with financial models and participated in due diligence calls."
After: "Built 3-statement LBO model that supported $340M acquisition of a building products manufacturer at 7.5x EBITDA; identified $12M in working capital improvements during due diligence that boosted projected IRR from 18% to 23%."
Remember, your PE resume needs to demonstrate both technical expertise and business judgment. PE firms are looking for people who can not only analyze deals but also add value to portfolio companies. Make every bullet count by showing how you've contributed to successful outcomes in your previous roles.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Private Equity resume
- Relationship management – skilled at building trust with portfolio companies while maintaining firm oversight
- Financial storytelling – ability to explain complex investment theses to stakeholders with varying levels of expertise
- Negotiation finesse – track record of securing favorable terms during tense deal processes
- Cross-functional team leadership – can direct legal, tax, and operational specialists toward common objectives
- Pattern recognition – quick to identify red flags in financial statements that others miss
- Persuasive communication – proven ability to convince management teams to implement difficult changes
Hard skills for your Private Equity resume
- LBO Modeling (leveraged buyouts and acquisition analysis)
- Financial Statement Analysis using FactSet and Capital IQ
- DCF and Comparable Company Valuation techniques
- Proficient in DealCloud and Navatar CRM platforms
- Due Diligence Process Management (financial, legal, operational)
- Bloomberg Terminal navigation for market intelligence
- Advanced Excel (macros, SUMIFS, pivot tables, scenario modeling)
- Portfolio Company Performance Metrics tracking
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level II certification