“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.”
From the description I suppose this role could help you fast track to the CFO role? I've had very limited exposure to corp dev, but from what I've seen in smaller companies it has pretty limited upwards mobility to the C Suite. Heads of corp dev don't usually become CFOs and usually ex-audit folks are preferred. If becoming a CFO is a path that interests you then I think you should pursue it. If you're more risk averse and content with where you're at then I'd stay where you are.
I’d love to become a CFO one day and this job will give me direct exposure to the day to day of a CFO of a massive global company. I will be in direct contact with him/her every single day. I will learn how to BE a CFO, but I won’t be gaining any direct hands on technical/ownership experience in other areas of finance like FP&A, Controllers, IR, etc.
Fast track may be possible based on exposure alone. Proximity has a value, I’m just not sure how much value I should allocate to it alone. Again, I think this role is extremely valuable if I remain at this company in the long term. Would be playing the long game for sure.
Not the CFO but the CEO actually had a stint in Corp Dev back in the day for what it’s worth.
Absolutely yes. He or she wants you to be the right hand man and you will basically run the day to day of his or her job. You will get true CFO reps.
Not really, sounds like the Chief of Staff is the right hand man.
From what I've seen re: exits across my CD group, most of the time the mid-manager / VP level folks exit to the CoS role, not right hand to CoS.
I actually had 2 managers of mine when I was much more junior in my group leave to be CoS / Head of Strategy for CxOs and they asked if I'd like to join them. I had a great relationship, but didn't feel it would've helped a ton vs. sticking around a bit longer and exiting into a CoS role.
Fast forward a few years and I've been promoted to junior manager versions of my two mentors above. I came from Finance, so had discussions with a few ex-bosses about being a CoS for them. Ultimately opted out of that. Both mentors of mine LOVE their jobs because they picked good CEOs / CFOs to work for, but neither have said they view this as a path to CEO / CFO. You hit the nail on the head in one of your comments, they both believe the relationships and sweat equity they build with all of their boss' peers will help project them into the CxO path (e.g., allow them to have real Product, Line of Business, and PnL responsibilities sooner)
Anecdotally, I've also heard you typically want to report up through the CEO path rather than CFO path (e.g., a Corp Dev / Strategic Finance / Strategy team that reports into the CEO is generally more tailored towards growth, spending, creating new businesses, etc. as opposed to one reporting into a CFO given the obvious expense management component of that role).
Unde sed quo laborum. Assumenda occaecati ut officia ipsam harum magni. Beatae corporis non quod eius animi. Corrupti nihil ut repellendus quae.
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