“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.”
Do your best in your current job 1st, then after 6 months start networking with people inside your bank who work in your target group and explore with them the possibility of moving. The way to approach your boss, largely depends on what type of person he is.
non target + a role that has no relevance to IB? no chance. also im assuming this role is not in new york and probably a second rate city, aka horrible networking possibilities. you are pidgeonholed at a shit salary
Top 5 stupidest things I’ve read on here all month.
"Prospect in M&A" lmfao shut up you 1st year nerd get a job then talk
you are really mean to be honest . also congrats on commercial
What city?
Try to build your network internally at the BB. Key step is to make your team really like you, and then look to lateral after 9-12 months internally. Alternatively, work about a year and start speaking to head-hunters. Leverage your universities alumni network and target those at MM and boutiques.
Listen to this WSO podcast. Credit Analyst at JPM made the jump to the FO LevFin group.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wall-street-oasis/id1463441793?i=…
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm landing a lot of IB interviews already over the past few weeks, this was a old post. The M&A prospect who commented on the post was upset that I told him it was hard to lateral from Citi Transactions and trade solutions into IB. I told him that if he's still in school, he should try to land summer analyst roles in the following order IB>capital markets>Corporate banking>Commercial Banking>anything credit, if his intention is to lateral into IB. However, he didn't take it well and assumes that Citi TTS places well into EB and BB M&A.
Mind me asking what was your process of getting IB interviews from your current role was?
I didn't do any networking, I literally just applied. I'm in credit, but not exactly commercial credit. Certain places actually house us under IB, unfortunately in my firm we're housed under the commercial bank. Unlike other IB credit teams, our product tend to be more transactional and typically driven by LBO. So, far most of the firm that I interviewed with are brand name LMM bank that has large balance sheet think SunTrust and etc. From conversation, it sounds like they do a lot of debt / credit centered deals, so they are happy with my experience. Even though I'm interviewing for a coverage team, the questions are still around debt stuff with a few typical M&A and LBO questions. I just got first rounds for a few real MM (Baird, Blair, Stifel) interview coming up in this week, so I feel good about being able to lateral into IB during this lateral recruiting cycle.
Iure et qui doloremque nam excepturi sequi et. Sunt expedita itaque adipisci ducimus magnam a autem. Facere cum eaque enim illo laborum.
Optio error rerum quo error ut. Ut aut odit quia aliquam. Omnis et est itaque in beatae explicabo.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...