Unlock Your Investment Banking Career: Secrets from a Resume Review Session
- July 09, 2025
- Resume Review
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A transformative mentoring session, by GoCrackIt, brought together a driven candidate and Suhruta Kulkarni, an experienced mentor, to unravel the art of resume review for a competitive investment banking role. This engaging discussion explored strategic positioning, deal-focused storytelling, and the nuances of crafting a standout resume to captivate recruiters in the fast-paced world of finance.
Meet the Mentor
Suhruta Kulkarni is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in investment banking, entrepreneurship, and strategic advisory. As Co-Founder of GoCrackIt since 2016, she empowers professionals with career growth strategies. Previously, she served as Case Researcher & Author at IIM Bangalore (2012-2016), founded LKP Power Advisors (2011-2016), and held roles at Quetzal Head – Power, EY (Associate/Transaction lAdvisory), and NTPC. Suhruta holds a PGP from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai, blending technical expertise with business acumen.
Discussion
The session kicked off with a warm vibe, instantly putting the candidate at ease for a dynamic exchange. The candidate confidently introduced himself, sharing his professional journey with enthusiasm.
Candidate: I’ve been working in investment banking for about 9 years, mostly in private equity and deal advisory, focusing on EMEA markets. At a Big 4 firm, I conducted due diligence for a German tax-filing company, analysing 120 companies to shortlist 10+ acquisition targets. I also supported a major carve-out for a French automobile giant, separating their ICE/hybrid and EV/software businesses. My skills include financial modelling, corporate finance, and deal structuring, and I’m now aiming to transition into a front-end investment banking role.
Suhruta gave a subtle nod, clearly noting the confidence. Glancing through the resume, she identified the primary issue: the candidate’s positioning needed refinement to align with investment banking expectations.
Repositioning Backend Experience for a Front-End Role
As the discussion deepened, the candidate wanted to clarify how to position his Global Delivery Service (GDS) background, a puzzle he was eager to solve for his career pivot.
Candidate: I want to clarify: my work in GDS mostly involved primary and secondary research. How should I position this for investment banking?
Suhruta: It’s about positioning. Even if you worked in GDS, you should bring out that this was the client’s requirement, and this is what we did. Showcase all the incidences of client-facing opportunities/ interactions. Understand the client and their industry. Even if you supported the backend, present it confidently. And remember to gain knowledge of your work deeply as this will give you confidence.
The candidate nodded but, still uncertain, asked,
Candidate: So, should I downplay the research aspect?
Suhruta, understanding the doubt and smilingly replied,
Suhruta: Not at all. Frame it as deal-focused. For example, for the German tax-filing company, you conducted a commercial due diligence market study, evaluating competitors across parameters like customer base and market share. That’s powerful. Focus on deal size, industry, and the deal’s objective.
This resume check revealed that backend experience can shine by emphasising client outcomes and deal impact, presenting the candidate as a strategic thinker ready for front-end responsibilities.
Prioritising Deal Achievements Over Generic Skills
The spotlight then swung to the resume’s layout, where misplaced priorities hinted at a need for a sharper focus.
Candidate: I’ve listed client management and team leadership as key points. Is that relevant for investment banking?
Suhruta: Prioritise deals and valuations over client management. Investment banking recruiters want to see transactions and deal advisory first. Highlight sector insights and deal sourcing, not team management. For example, position the German deal as enabling a buy-side strategy, analysing 120 players to shortlist 10+ targets.”
The candidate, also asked,
Candidate: I have managed PE accounts, not M&A. Should I include that?
Suhruta responded reassuringly,
Suhruta: Yes, but frame it strategically. Highlight how you’ve worked on EMEA markets and deals like the French automobile carve-out. Don’t lead with team management, it’s assumed you’ve worked in teams.
The thorough cv review showed that generic skills like team management should take a backseat to specific, quantifiable deal achievements, ensuring the resume aligns with investment banking priorities.
Concisely Framing Complex Deals
With the resume’s structure taking shape, the candidate’s struggle to distil an intricate deal into a few impactful lines came into focus.
Candidate: For the French automobile carve-out, I struggled to summarise it in three lines. How should I present it?
Suhruta: Supported a French automobile client in separating ICE/hybrid and EV/software businesses through a JV and IPO, respectively. Conducted valuations using multiple methodologies, enabling a 20%+ increase in valuation across $20K+ M&A activities.
The candidate, impressed but curious, asked,
Candidate: Should I mention we collaborated with a partner for this deal?
Suhruta, with a knowing smile, replied,
Suhruta: No, teamwork is assumed. Focus on your advisory role. Mention the valuation increase percentage and use USD for global consistency to make it impactful.
The resume evaluation emphasised the power of concise, results-driven storytelling, transforming complex deals into compelling resume bullets that highlight value creation.
Cover Letter Focus and Formatting
As the session progressed, the candidate’s attention turned to fine-tuning their cover letter and polishing the resume’s presentation, seeking to leave no detail overlooked.
Candidate: For the cover letter, should I mention my interest in relocating?
Suhruta: No, focus on global experience and skills. Highlight the two deals and summarise other work, aligning with the job description. For formatting, use ‘9’ for years of experience, not ‘nine,’ and convert all currencies to USD for consistency.
The candidate, still clarifying, asked,
Candidate: I mentioned INR 1.1 billion previously. Should I convert it?
Suhruta nodded,
Suhruta: Yes, use USD throughout. It’s globally understood and makes your resume polished.
The resume review online clarified that cover letters should spotlight deal expertise and global exposure, while consistent formatting (e.g., USD, numerical years) enhances professionalism.
Balancing Startup Aspirations
In a reflective moment, the candidate opened up about a personal dream, weaving his entrepreneurial ambitions into the conversation.
Candidate: On a personal note, I submitted a medical startup idea to an incubator. Should I pursue grants or other routes?
Suhruta: Grants provide equity-free money but limited growth. If you aim for a scalable business, go through accelerators and raise investor funds. Incubators help with mentoring, but choose ones with strong mentors who challenge scalability.
The candidate, intrigued, asked,
Candidate: Any incubators that pay for MVP development?
Suhruta replied thoughtfully,
Suhruta: Some, like Goldman Sachs-supported ones, offer stipends, but they’re minimal. Focus on mentors who ask critical questions about technology and growth.
The resume online review extended beyond the resume, offering strategic advice on balancing entrepreneurial goals with career aspirations, ensuring clarity in professional and personal pursuits.
This “review my resume” session empowered the candidate to transform his resume into a powerful tool for investment banking success. With Suhruta’s expert guidance, the candidate learned to position their experience strategically, prioritise deal achievements, and craft a narrative that resonates with recruiters. Armed with these insights, the candidate is ready to take on the competitive world of finance with confidence and clarity.
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