Hi Jason,

It has been over 3 years since I posted the last comments; I do however re-visit the page sometimes when my personal compass needs some re-tuning.

I am again writing to share my experiences.

Problems I Was Facing — How I Got Them Fixed
Improving Soft/People Skills - I ventured-off from the VC/PE sector to join a mid-tier bank (in the complaint management division) where I had to deal with dissatisfied customers most of the time. Plus, I got to learn all about the banking products and services, and I was briefly introduced to all the various aspects of a banking company.

Returning Back to Core Financial Industry - After spending a year and a half in customer services, I joined an investment banking outfit (as Associate, Syndications and Debt Capital Markets Division) of another mid-tier bank. That transition required a pay-cut from the existing salary and enormous amount of hardwork to earn a job confirmation and acceptance within the division.

Lack of Recognition - I was assigned as a transaction support in few syndicated financing transactions. That provided a chance to learn the transaction and market dynamics, and routinely coordinate with the local syndicates/consortiums as well as the lenders' technical/legal advisors. With the help of some very helpful colleagues, my teams were able to tread the waters on it own, leading to the successful financial close of such transactions. Consequently, I have good working relations with the syndicate banks' working teams. Later on, the experience as a transaction support enabled me to take lead on a few syndicated financing transactions of my own which will further add value to my future growth.

Self/Skill Development - Till date I am rigorously following the old routing of "pouring, coding and storing knowledge in my memory bank" which has enabled me to work on making client pitches, creating structures for proposed/potential transactions, creating/analyzing detailed financial models to check projects' viability, review of transaction documents (both the project related as well as financing agreements), etc.

At present, all the theoretical knowledge and the hands-on experience is helping in shape up the abstract concepts rather nicely.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank you for the "Guiding criteria ... “what don’t I know” and, “would I hire me?”'. This one line has kept my compass pointing correctly and has driven me to work beyond my capacity. (many thanks for this.)

Best regards,
-Arsalan