Key takeaways
01
Quality matters more than length; there is no need to condense everything into one page.
02
Never omit grades or leave unexplained gaps; missing details invite the reviewer to assume the worst.
03
Investment CVs must lead with financial modelling capability and clearly quantified deal experience.
04
Accounting and operations CVs need a punchy three-to-four-line profile and quantifiable achievements, not a list of duties.
Private Equity is a prestigious and rewarding career path, but also highly competitive. To succeed in this sought-after sector of finance, your CV needs to make a good impression from the very first glance. Your relevant skills and strengths need to stand out.
Many opportunities in Private Equity attract hundreds of applications and the initial review can be quite brief by necessity. Whether it’s an agency recruiter, an internal recruiter, or the line manager themselves, they are going to be looking for the headlines. Make sure they are easy to find.
Universal rules
The length of your CV is not as important as the quality of its contents. Despite the commonly held belief, there is absolutely no need to condense everything into one page. Brevity and clarity are key, but not at the expense of important information. Utilise negative space to help key information stand out.
Don’t leave off key information. Missing details immediately draw attention. By leaving off grades or having gaps in your experience, you invite the reviewer to assume the worst. Include precise dates, accounting for all your time, and details around your academics.
By leaving off grades or having gaps in your experience, you invite the reviewer to assume the worst.
CVs for Accounting & Operations
If you are applying for a position in the accounting or operations departments, your CV needs a punchy opening. Keep your profile short, only three to four lines long, encapsulating your qualifications, level of experience, and key skills. Academic record is important, so ensure you include your A-Level and degree grades, as well as first-time passes if you are a qualified accountant.
Recruiters are looking for a little more than a list of duties. Let the recruiter know about your journey. How did the company or your role look when you joined, compared to now? Highlight quantifiable achievements to show that you are on a trajectory.
CVs for Investment & Capital Raising
To achieve success as an investment professional, you need a high level of financial competence, technical aptitude and the ability to think strategically. By far your most important skill will be financial modelling.
Recruiters want to clearly see how much money you have raised and the extent of your deal experience. When describing your previous deals, always tailor your information. Deal information should include the sector, a line describing the company, the reason for the deal, challenges faced, and your key contributions.
CVs for Business Support
Business support roles play a critical part in the overall smooth running of the firm. Exceptional standards are the norm. Sector experience is always preferred. A short succinct profile should head up the CV, followed immediately by relevant experience. Unexplained gaps look bad without exception, so be honest and upfront.
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