“I recently had a LinkedIn audit call with Arnau as part of my WSO Academy program, and it was one of the most practical and useful sessions I've had so far. I came in thinking my profile was in decent shape. I left with a clear picture of how recruiters and bankers actually see it, and a concrete list of changes that will make it work much harder for me.
Some background: I'm moving from corporate finance into investment banking, corporate banking, and private equity. I have an MBA in Corporate Finance, a PMP, and several years of finance and project management experience. Making that kind of move depends heavily on how you present your story, and LinkedIn is often the first place a recruiter or analyst sees it. That's why this session mattered so much to me.
From the first few minutes, Arnau was well prepared, direct, and focused on what actually moves the needle. He didn't just give generic tips like "add a professional photo." He went through my profile section by section and explained why each piece matters to someone in finance who's quickly scanning candidates. His feedback was honest without being discouraging, which I really appreciated. He pointed out where my profile was underselling my experience and where it wasn't clearly showing that I'm aiming for banking and PE.
What stood out most was how he helped me think about positioning. My background covers corporate finance, project management, hospitality, and real estate, and it can be hard to make that read as one clear story. Arnau helped me connect those experiences to the skills banks look for: financial analysis, modeling, managing budgets and capital, and working with senior stakeholders. He showed me how small changes to my headline, About section, and experience bullets can make that story obvious within seconds.
The session was also very actionable. I didn't leave with vague ideas. I left with a short list of specific edits I can make right away. That matters a lot when you're job hunting and every week counts. He also shared advice on using LinkedIn more actively, such as engaging with the right people and content, so the profile supports my networking instead of just sitting there.
I also want to recognize the overall WSO Academy experience. Between the modeling bootcamp, the company research work, the mentorship, and sessions like this one, the program has given me structure and support during a career transition that can otherwise feel isolating. This call was a good example of what makes WSO different: the people coaching you understand the industry you're trying to break into and give feedback that reflects how hiring really works.
If you're a WSO member and haven't booked a LinkedIn audit yet, I'd strongly recommend it. It's a short time commitment, and the return is significant. Your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression, and having an experienced set of eyes on it is worth it.
Thank you, Arnau, for your time, honesty, and practical guidance. I'm excited to put the changes in place and keep building toward my goal of breaking into investment banking.”
Are you doing a pension-fund PE internship or an internship with a firm that solely focuses on PE? Depending on which, I'll toss up a list where you'll have the best chances (I know the guys in particular Calgary banks have preference for one over the other), though I know that doesn't necessarily answer your q about rankings.
Worth noting that RBC has had problems with analyst retention given the demanding culture and hours, a lot leaving for PE as well as other banks.
Using a throwaway, because my main account is too recognizable and people will identify me otherwise. I work at one of the Canadians in Calgary.
The industry is predominantly dominated by Canadian banks in Calgary, with a small, but growing presence of bulge brackets. Boutiques do a lot of the middle-market to upper-middle-market deals.
Canadian Banks: RBC - as @IBank123" has mentioned, serious analyst retention problem. God awful culture from what I've heard, I've seen a couple of analysts leave to the big Calgary PE shops (Arc, Azimuth, couple guys to Triwest etc.) but the majority just go to other Canadian/American banks. RBC Rundle (A&D desk) is also good here, if you want exposure to that side of the business. RBC analysts can do a 6 month rotation to Rundle. Probably the best exits of the banks in Calgary, but be prepared to work very long hours under a lot of pressure BMO - great culture, little turnover. Loves hiring from UofA's PRIME program (I believe most of the analysts are from there), so you'll be facing stiff competition if you're from out east. Couple people hired from Macquarie and some left recently for CPPIB. TD - similar to BMO. Lots of drinking, cowboy type culture. Decent dealflow, probably the best hours of the Canadian banks. CIBC - decent culture, errs towards the harder working side. Lots of females in the shop. Has two groups in Calgary - O&G (oil and gas) and P&U (power and utilities), which is jointly run out of Calgary and Toronto. If you're interested in working on more power related deals P&U is probably the best place to be. Scotia - more relaxed hours, decent dealflow. Somewhere in the middle of the above. No very notable exits recently, outside of Adam Waterous who ran the bank. National - not much dealflow compared to the other Canadian banks, similar hours. Not a very strong brand name in Calgary. Good group of people, however.
Bulge Brackets: JPM - has been doing very well lately. Some big advisory work and have been growing rapidly in the Calgary market. Also good A&D desk if you want more exposure to that. Very long hours. GS - big name but little presence in Calgary. They have a strong physical gas trading floor in Calgary, but as far as IBD goes, not much in the way of Calgary. MS - similar to GS, except no trading presence either. Avoid if you can. Citi - similar to MS, except even worse brand name. Definitely avoid. BAML - similar to Citi. Definitely avoid. Wells Fargo - similar to BAML. Definitely avoid.
Boutiques: GMP FirstEnergy - big energy boutique in Calgary, just acquired by GMP. Anecdotally, guys here were paid the highest on the street, not sure if thats true anymore. Been slashing staff since the downturn, so probably very difficult to get hired here. Exits from FirstEnergy probably limited to Calgary Peters - other big energy boutique. Very cerebral/academic culture, lots of former accountants. Good dealflow, but similar to FirstEnergy, exits limited to Calgary Macquarie - long hours, no dealflow. Macquarie better known for its infrastructure practice out of Vancouver. Heard the MD (Sandy Edmonstone) gets his analysts to make protein shakes for him. Definitely avoid. Cormark Securities - small shop, no dealflow. One analyst, dude is like 35. Avoid, although I doubt they'll even hire anyone. Raymond James - great equity research, good trading, not much in the way of IBD. Tudor, Pickering, Holt - new energy-focused boutique from Houston. Newer office, seem to be growing pretty quick. Don't know much, but seems interesting. Laurentian - I see them poaching people, but never on any big deals. Don't know much. Animus Capital Partners - new guys on the street. Don't really know much about them, but they seem to be poaching a couple people from other banks.
This probably will help you a lot (can't post links with a throwaway, just replace the DOT): https://twitterDOTcom/YYCStreetMoves
Canadian deal flow is the biggest joke in this thread. Besides, why would you want to move to Calgary? Only if you're into bestiality I suppose.
I am from Calgary so yes bestiality is what I am into