“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.”
FSG is a coverage group. Typically the MDs will have relationships with key senior people at sponsors. It will depend on the bank how much work the juniors in the group do - some bank sponsor groups are pure coverage, and others handle more of the modeling / analysis in house. For the latter, as an example, the group may work with the sponsor and information provided by them to assess the credit and present this information to the bank's credit committee. The levfin group obviously works closely with sponsors on developing this information, and would be responsible for the actual implementation of the credit once approved. The group may be responsible for developing the LBO model and running different scenarios to analyze the credit.
I can't comment on how it works at CS.
Thanks a lot!! Very useful
Sponsors group only cover sponsor clients; this could be in a sell side process, a buy side process, helping them with bolt ons, etc. Levfin is about financing; could be for acquisitions, dividend recaps, refis (usually for sponsor-owned companies). So to put it simply one group is doing M&A for a certain client base whereas the other is financing. Levfin also has internal processes that it needs to go through with its credit committee before a deal goes through, this can be a pain sometimes. You won't really have this problem if you work in sponsors.
Thanks!
Lots of overlap, you’ll be fine no matter which group you end up in. I know that CS is historically strong in both groups, but if your heart is 100% set on the buyside put FSG as your number 1 choice.
I will do that, thanks!
Am not in these groups but will try to explain based on internal organization and understanding at my bank.
Working in IB = Being a broker/intermediary between sources and uses of capital. That's why banks exist.
Sources = Investors
Users = Companies that need capital
LevFin = Is a product group so you work specifically on this kind of debt issuance. High Yield debt raising for companies. High Yield is more risk. More risk because use of funds is riskier, issuer company is not that great, etc. High Yield usually means debt for below investment grade companies and proceed use of LBOs, M&A, debt refinancing and recapitalizations aka riskier uses of cash flow.
FSG = Coverage group so you work across products but same universe of sponsors. You're working on mostly sponsor deals aka your clients have private capital aka private equity aka hedge funds, asset managers, pensions, etc. You work across product type with the goal of meeting client needs. Whether youre capital raising, advising an M&A deal, etc. You are constrained by the client space.
To summarize, LevFin you only work in LevFin aka capital raising. In FSG, you work across different products covering Sponsors.
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/what-is-the-difference-between-f…
Harum accusantium est qui aut. Omnis et ut omnis enim. Dicta maxime voluptate quasi enim aliquam fugit cum. Ut impedit et temporibus velit quo voluptatem corrupti. Ut suscipit labore et et pariatur cupiditate. Culpa aut quasi voluptates autem.
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...