Common Resume Mistakes Operating Partners Make – And How to Fix Them

Having interviewed hundreds of operating partners, I’ve noticed several common mistakes that don’t make it onto their resumes—but should. If you’re an operating partner looking to stand out to private equity firms, here’s what you need to include:

1. Not Listing the Portfolio Companies You’ve Worked With

The most common mistake I see is not actually including the portfolio companies that you’ve worked with. Private equity investors want to know which businesses you’ve had hands-on experience with, so make sure to list them.

2. Not Highlighting the Impact of Your Value Creation Strategies

It’s not enough to say you implemented value creation strategies—you need to show their impact. Did you improve EBITDA? By how much? If confidentiality restricts you from sharing exact figures, use percentage increases instead. Detail the ERP implementations you led and how you supported portfolio companies in achieving their goals. List the playbooks you deployed and be as specific as possible about the value you drove.

3. Not Specifying the Industries You’ve Operated In

Private equity investors like similarity. They want to know that if you’re stepping into a new role, you understand the industries and have experience in those spaces. Even if you were a consultant or CXO before becoming an operating partner, they want to see what industries you’ve been engaged in over the past 5, 10, or 15 years. If applicable, also list the specific products or services you’ve worked with.

4. Not Including Interim Assignments

Operating partners are regularly pulled into portfolio companies for interim leadership roles. Private equity firms appreciate this because it saves them the cost of hiring interim executives, which can be expensive. If you’ve taken on any short-term assignments, list them—along with the impact you had during your time in those roles.

Making these changes can significantly strengthen your resume and make you more attractive to private equity firms.

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