Format for searcher resume for brokers?

August 01, 2025

by a searcher from University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School in Philadelphia, PA, USA

When brokers request a resume - what is an effective format for this? Is it like a resume you might submit to any job application (with experiences tailored to the opportunity). Or is there another format that is the norm for search?

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Reply by an intermediary
from University of California, Davis in Reno, NV, USA

Speaking for our office only: As long as the content of your resume/CV is clearly and professionally presented (and applicable to the opportunity), I am not going to roll my eyes at ANY format. This also doesn't mean that you should eliminate any experience that isn't in the industry of the target business. On the contrary, Sellers like to know some detail about a prospective buyer's overall background and why you are pursuing their business, and there is real value in breadth of experience (ask any business owner that was an 0311 or 11B if what they learned in the military has any value in what they do now). If you (personally) are unqualified to run operations (lack of experience, etc. is not a crime nor is it an automatic DQ), in a separate cover letter discuss how you plan to fill that gap or who on your team is qualified to do so and why. While we're talking about it, please include some detail as to how you would arrive at a value to offer on a business in this industry ("We typically pursue transactions in this industry at [EBITDA/SDE/Revenue] multiples ranging from [x to y] depending on "[your criteria - frequently having to do with intangible capital]"), how you plan execute the transaction (Cash? SBA Financing? Seller Financing? Combination? ) and then characterize your source of funds. Many people will resist this level of time investment and disclosure; I get it. However, the Seller (and their brokers) really appreciate transparency. Our job as Intermediaries is to market the property for sale AND to protect the Seller's time and confidentiality, these two mandates are frequently in tension: Each time an invitation to the data room goes out, there is an increased risk of exposure. Every Buyer/Seller meeting is time away from continuing to run and grow their business along with the inevitable questions ("What's that meeting on the boss's calendar?" "Who was the guy that the boss was showing around the warehouse this afternoon?" "Why was the boss here over the weekend?"). So, we ask for as much detail as we can. If someone is patently unqualified to run the business and has not given any thougt to how they would run the business, can't articulate what would make them (or their investors) say yes or no to an opportunity at a given price, and don't appear to have the resources to execute a purchase; it's hard to justify asking the owner to make an appointment. That went on longer than I planned and I answered questions you didn't ask...apologies.

Reply by a searcher
from IESE Business School in Denver, CO, USA

Thanks for the mention Luke, I have never been asked by a broker for my resume though. Is this something only one broker has asked you for or multiple? Would be curios to know if it's becoming more commonplace. To echo Stewart's comment though I would just try to make your resume look as professional as possible while highlighting relevant skills

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