The Wall Street Skinny

Send us Fan MailPart II of our conversation with Cameron Boland and Kate Kourlis from executive recruiting firm GoBuyside.  Our focus shifts to off-cycle recruiting for private equity firms and hedge funds.  We discuss strategies for navigating your search for your next career, identifying opportunities that set you up for success, do's and don'ts for negotiating the offer, and how recruiters are incentivized to help you succeed.  We also tackle the CRITICAL listener question of: what do I need to know if I'm an international applicant and not a US citizen?  Cameron Boland is the President of GoBuyside, and Kate Kourlis is the Executive Director of Business Development.  GoBuyside is a community of professionals in the financial services industry. GoBuyside connects employers with top-tier talent, streamlining the hiring process and ensuring access to great candidates for exceptional roles.To explore GoBuyside's platform, please visit GoBuyside.comFor a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailHappy holidays from The Wall Street Skinny!  We are giving your brain a bit of a break this week.  We share some fun stories of holiday parties gone terribly awry, rules for navigating vacation and time off, and tips on how NOT to get fired right before bonuses are paid.  We discuss some shifts over the past decade and some prevailing attitudes toward work/life balance on Wall Street as societal expectations change.  For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode we use WeWork as a case study to break down SPACs, for a deeper dive into the IPO process, the bankruptcy and we explore how the world's most sophisticated venture capital and private equity investors came up with a $47bn valuation for a company when the math didn't justify it at all….In order to keep it interesting we discuss the  beginning of the WeWork story through the lens of "We Crashed",  the Apple TV miniseries about WeWork.starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway.The Apple TV Series: WeCrashedThe Failed IPO:1. Scott Galloway Blogs (No Mercy No Malice)https://www.profgalloway.com/wewtf/https://www.profgalloway.com/wewtf-part-deux/2. Aswath Damodaran DCF (Musings on the Market)https://aswathdamodaran.blogspot.com/2019/09/runaway-story-or-meltdown-in-motion.html3. WSJ Article Sept 2019https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-is-not-the-way-everybody-behaves-how-adam-neumanns-over-the-top-style-built-wework-11568823827SPAC1. BowX Acquisition Corp S-1https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1813756/000121390020020580/f424b40720_bowxacq.htm2. WeWork SPAC Marketing Documentshttps://www.wework.com/ideas/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/03/WeWork-Management-Presentation-March-2021-vF-1.pdfFor a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailA job in Private Equity isn't the highest paying or even the hardest to get... it's actually a job at high frequency trading firms like Jane Street, highly secretive Wall Street firms you've never heard of.  So what actually takes place in those interviews and what do those traders even do? In Michael Lewis's new book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried ("SBF"), Michael Lewis tells the absolutely crazy story of SBF,  crypto, building his crypto exchange FTX, building his own trading firm Alameda Research, Effective Altruism ("EA"), the scandal that took him down leaving him with up to a 110 prison sentence AS WELL AS a sneak peek into these super secretive firms starting from the interview process to some of the craziest trades ever, including one election trade in 2016 that led to a $300mm loss.Michael Lewis is the author of other quintessential books anyone who wants to work on Wall Street must read including The Big Short, Liar's Poker and others. Resources mentioned in the episode:1. Matt Levine's Bloomberg Essay: "The Only Crypto Story You Need"https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-the-crypto-story/2. Odd Lots Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odd-lots/id1056200096Sam Bankman-Fried and Matt Levine on How the Crypto Market Really Workshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sam-bankman-fried-and-matt-levine-on-how-the/id1056200096?i=1000531062191For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailOzempic and similar drugs are dominating the conversation about culture, health, and financial markets right now.  But what does it mean for Wall Street --- not just for investors, but also in terms of its impact on the social norms of the industry?  **TRIGGER WARNING:  This episode contains a discussion of eating disorders and disordered eating.**After all, the world of Wall Street has made huge strides on the diversity front with one notable exception: body diversity.  In this episode, we discuss many of the very real problems with navigating body image in highly competitive, stressful environments where conspicuous consumption of food and alcohol may be an unwritten part of the job description.  We are joined by registered dietician Lindsay Lusson to explore the physiological and psychological impacts of trying to conform to these pressures, and what shifts we are seeing with new drugs like Ozempic AND a new generation coming up through the ranks.  Lindsey Lusson is Registered Dietitian who specializes in disordered eating and infertility. She has both personal and professional experience with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA) or period loss related to over exercise and under eating. Her experience led her to become passionate about educating and empowering others to advocate for their health and take charge of their fertility through proper nutrition.  She has helped over 250 women recover cycles and restore their fertility naturally.Credentials:Education, Credentials & Training•Bachelors of Science in Nutrition from Texas A&M University•Masters in Exercise and Sports Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University•Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD 2013-2018)•Registered Dietitian (RD)•Board Certified Health Coach (NBC-HWC)Follow Lindsay on Instagram and TikTok @food.freedom.fertility, and check out her podcast "The Period Recovery and Fertility Podcast" on your favorite platform.For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailWant to get an elite job on the buy side?  A recruiter --- otherwise known as a headhunter --- plays a significant role in the recruiting process for private equity recruiting.  In today's episode, we dive into  the private equity recruiting process with Kate Kourlis and Cameron Boland of GoBuyside.  We explain the role of recruiting firms, what to expect in the interview process, compensation, and how this process is evolving in real time.  Cameron Boland is the President of GoBuyside, and Kate Kourlis is the Executive Director of Business Development.  GoBuyside is a community of professionals in the financial services industry. GoBuyside connects employers with top-tier talent, streamlining the hiring process and ensuring access to great candidates for exceptional roles.Join the GoBuyside platform!https://www.gobuyside.com/For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailWhether you are an investment banker working with the hottest new tech start up to take it public, working in private equity and 'exiting' an investment, OR you're considering a role in a startup with the goal of one day hitting it big, you must understand the critical function of IPOs in the lifecycle of a company.  In today's episode we use two companies that exemplify the classic 'sponsor backed IPO;, Birkenstock, and a more 'techy' IPO, Instacart, to answer the questions:- HOW and WHY would a company go public?- What is the role of an investment banker in the process?- What are the fees?- What is the difference between primary vs. secondary shares?- What is the difference between valuation and pricing?- What is the purpose of the IPO discount?- What is a greenshoe and why is it used? And much much more!For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Jane Licurse, a former McKinsey consultant and Harvard Business School alum, shares her journey into consulting and the intense preparation behind it. She discusses the unique challenges of consulting interviews and the importance of a strong personal narrative. Jane opens up about the demanding nature of consulting careers, especially post-COVID, including the struggle with burnout and the value of soft skills. She also emphasizes the significance of storytelling and influence in professional growth, making her insights crucial for anyone considering a career in consulting.

Send us Fan MailAnother listener favorite Q&A episode, where Kristen and Jen tackle real questions submitted by our listeners.  We use these questions as teaching tools to explain concepts far beyond the scope of any individual question, so be sure to stay tuned to learn valuable insight about the world of Wall Street.  Our questions in today's episode include:1.  How does changing the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital) impact valuation when running a DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) analysis? What are the different theories of optimal capital structure and how does this all fit into the real world when companies are choosing whether to issue debt or equity? 2.  How do I ace my interview in a markets-based job, like the sales and trading division of an investment bank?3.  Why do we need circularity in investment banking models?4.  How do I know when to stop "buying the dip" when trading the markets?If you have any questions you'd like answered in a Q&A episode of our podcast, please write to us at questions@wallstreetskinny.comFor a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE. 

Send us Fan MailSo you've finally landed your first job on Wall Street at an investment bank, consulting firm, hedge fund, private equity fund, asset manager, or venture capital fund....NOW WHAT?Navigating the ins and outs of housing, transportation, clothes, food, and entertainment your first year on the job --- especially in New York City, the world's most expensive place to live --- can be incredibly daunting.  We share what to expect, lessons learned, and helpful tips to set you up for success from day one.(Disclaimer: nothing in this episode is intended as financial or tax advice, please consult a qualified tax professional)For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses:Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HEREWealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE.