CV positioning tips for move from Corporate Strategy to Goldman Sachs

Question

Hi all,

I’ve been in a corporate strategy role at a global company for nearly a decade now. Over the years, I’ve worked on cross-border M&A, portfolio reviews, and multi-year strategic planning directly with the C-suite. Lately, I’ve been thinking seriously about transitioning into a more transaction-driven environment, and Goldman Sachs (particularly roles within their internal strategy team or investment banking) is top of mind.

The catch is: I’m not early in my career anymore, and I’m unsure how realistic this kind of transition is at this stage. My experience overlaps with a lot of the work bankers do, especially on the strategic side of M&A, but I don’t have that classic IB background. I’m also wondering if my years in a corporate setting might make me seem too “internal” or slow-moving to a firm like GS.

If anyone’s made a similar move later in their career or has insight into how Goldman views seasoned corporate strategy professionals, I’d really appreciate your take. Is this kind of pivot actually feasible and if so, how do you position yourself to be taken seriously?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Answer 1

Hi

Your experience in corporate strategy, particularly with cross-border M&A, portfolio reviews, and C-suite strategic planning, positions you exceptionally well for a transition into a transaction-driven environment like Goldman Sachs. The skills you’ve honed—deal structuring, financial analysis, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking—are directly applicable to investment banking or Goldman’s internal strategy team. Your decade of experience is a strength, not a hindrance, as firms like Goldman value seasoned professionals who can bring deep industry insight and a mature perspective to complex transactions. The key challenge is framing your corporate background to align with the fast-paced, client-facing nature of investment banking. To be taken seriously, emphasize your direct involvement in high-stakes M&A deals and your ability to navigate C-suite dynamics, which are critical in IB. Highlighting any quantifiable impact (e.g., deal value, revenue growth, or cost synergies) will further bridge the gap between your corporate experience and the results-driven culture at Goldman. Networking is critical—leverage alumni or industry contacts to connect with Goldman’s IB or strategy teams to validate your fit and gain internal advocates.

That said, the transition isn’t without hurdles. Goldman’s culture prioritizes agility, deal velocity, and client-facing execution, which can differ from the more deliberate pace of corporate strategy. To counter perceptions of being too “internal” or slow-moving, proactively address this in your narrative. Showcase instances where you’ve driven time-sensitive projects or adapted to dynamic deal environments. Tailor your resume to reflect IB-relevant skills, using action-oriented language (e.g., “led,” “executed,” “delivered”) to mirror the intensity of banking. Consider targeting Goldman’s internal strategy team first, as it may serve as a smoother entry point, leveraging your corporate expertise while exposing you to the firm’s deal-making ecosystem. If you’re open to it, engaging a recruiter familiar with Goldman’s hiring or taking a short-term executive course (e.g., on M&A or financial modeling) could further sharpen your edge. Ultimately, your pivot is not only feasible but compelling if you position your experience as a unique asset that complements Goldman’s needs.