“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.”
Ah, the ever-evolving landscape of Toronto's investment banking scene! While the specific events you mentioned, like the Barclays bankers moving to Jefferies or the Mizuho acquisition of Greenhill, aren't directly covered in the WSO content, we can still make some educated inferences based on the general trends and insights shared within the WSO community. Let's dive into the factors you're interested in: exits, total compensation, and learning experience/senior mentorship.
Exits to the US: Historically, the big players with a strong global presence (think RBC, BMO, TD, Scotia, CIBC, and National Bank) have been solid platforms for analysts looking to make moves to the US, especially those in sectors with cross-border deal flow. Global banks with offices in Toronto, like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley, also provide excellent exit opportunities to the US, given their extensive networks and prestige.
Total Compensation: Compensation is often competitive across the board, with global banks typically offering slightly higher packages than their Canadian counterparts due to their larger deal sizes and international reach. Canadian boutiques, while sometimes offering lower base salaries, can provide substantial bonuses based on deal flow, making total compensation quite variable.
Learning Experience / Senior Mentorship: This is where boutiques, including Canadian ones like Canaccord Genuity (noting its strong presence in Vancouver but still relevant for Toronto), might shine. They often promise more hands-on experience and direct exposure to senior bankers, which can be invaluable for learning. However, the training programs and structured mentorship offered by the larger banks are also significant, especially for those new to the industry.
Given these factors, a tentative ranking might look something like this:
Remember, the investment banking landscape is dynamic, and rankings can shift as firms adjust their strategies, deal flow fluctuates, and the market evolves. Networking, staying informed through platforms like WSO, and keeping an ear to the ground will be key in navigating your path in Toronto's IB scene.
Sources: Toronto - Boutique Investment Banking Compensation, Vancouver Investment Banking?, Calgary IB Rankings, Citibank in Calgary?, Canada to NYC Lateral
Globals > B5 > boutiques.
Globals exits are great - people go to MFs from MS / GS. They are sweatshops though.
Exits to US buyside from B5 and below are rare, you can imagine which types of candidates do get these opportunities (women/DEI).
The B5 are kind of a wash. The only two notable groups (yep, despite all the drama) are RBC M&A and BMO M&M, though exits from the latter are limited given its niche nature.
If I had to rank, I’d say RBC > BMO / TD > Scotia / CIBC. Deal activity for BMO is undeniable, despite it having a shit culture.
As for boutiques, pretty sure exits are non-existent to the US and few to Canadian buyside seats (is there a single person at Altas not from RBC+?). Canaccord is probably the best though.
Congrats on Cannabiscord
Genuine question — I thought DEI wasn't needed for PE since everyone on IB is on same playing field (background wise considering they're in IB), no?
Retarded if you think everyone in IB is from the same background. DEI programs for IB makes sure that’s not the case.
What are your thoughts on some the more up and coming shops as far as CIB goes? — Desjardins, Laurentian, etc for example ?
Where does jefferies fall into that ranking? Or is it too tough to say since the office is pretty new
Brand name makes it better than B5.
Heard it’s kind of sweaty there and they got all the old Barclays folks who were sweaty and have something to prove.
I’m sure it will be a good shop in a few years.
where national here?
They are big 6
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