This blog is a real-life success story from one of our Jobaaj Learnings candidates who transitioned into the finance industry with the help of our Investment Banking Program. The following is a lightly edited podcast conversation featuring Mr. Vasu Bansal, who successfully secured a role as a Valuation Analyst at Knowcraft Analytics. In this conversation, he shares his background, journey, challenges, and experience with the program that helped him get there.

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Podcaster:
Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome back — we’re here with another successful placement story. Today, we have with us Mr. Vasu Bansal. Hello, Mr. Bansal, how are you?

Vasu Bansal:
I'm good, how are you sir?

Podcaster:
I'm fine as well. For our audience, please introduce yourself.

Vasu Bansal:
Yeah, so hello audience — my name is Vasu Bansal. I’m from Delhi and I got placed at Knowcraft Analytics through Jobaaj Learnings. My background is in Economics (Hons) from Delhi University. I’ve also cleared CFA Level 1 and attempted FRM Part 1 but couldn’t clear it. That’s a little bit about me.

Podcaster:
Great. So, have you worked anywhere before?

Vasu Bansal:
Yes, I worked at Manish Developers, which is a builder company. I wasn’t in a finance role though — I worked as an Admin Executive. It wasn’t related to finance or markets.

Podcaster:
That happens to a lot of people — starting off in a non-finance role and eventually finding their way. So let’s talk about how you found Jobaaj Learnings. How did you come across our program?

Vasu Bansal:
Before getting placed and before joining Jobaaj, I was giving interviews where people kept asking about financial modeling and investment banking. And honestly, I had no idea. So I Googled about investment banking roles and came across Jobaaj Learnings, which offered a proper course in investment banking and valuation. That’s how I found you.

Podcaster:
Happy coincidence, right?

Vasu Bansal:
Yeah, exactly!

Podcaster:
You studied Economics in college, and then you moved toward CFA and FRM. How relevant was your Economics degree to your finance goals?

Vasu Bansal:
Valuations are deeply tied to economic perspective. To value companies properly, you need to understand the economy. My degree helped me build that foundation. Investment banking, too, requires a deep understanding of the market, and Economics helped me develop that mindset.

Podcaster:
But you also mentioned there was a gap between what you studied and what was needed in the job market — is that what pushed you toward the CFA?

Vasu Bansal:
Yes, exactly. Back in 12th, I searched for highest-paying finance jobs, and CFA came up. It also said it was the toughest exam in finance — and I love challenges! That’s why I enrolled and eventually cleared Level 1. Level 2 is coming up in August.

Podcaster:
That’s amazing. So did you join our program before or after doing CFA?

Vasu Bansal:
I joined after my CFA Level 1. I was already working, giving interviews, and realized I lacked skills like financial modeling. That’s when I found Jobaaj and joined after attending one of your webinars. I think Kuldeep Sir was speaking in that.

Podcaster:
For those who haven’t done CFA, there’s a myth that clearing Level 1 means a ₹10–12 LPA job. What’s your take on that?

Vasu Bansal:
CFA makes you job-ready, but it doesn’t give you a job. You still need the practical skills and the ability to perform well in interviews. Financial modeling is crucial. CFA gives the foundation, but it’s not the full package.

Podcaster:
Now, you went through our program — assignments, exams, and eventually placements. What was that phase like?

Vasu Bansal:
The placement process started about a month before I got placed — I think on 22nd June. My interview was on 1st June, and I got the offer by 10th June. Honestly, the interview was really tough. I told Vishakha that too — but with her constant support, I managed everything well. The process was smooth overall.

Podcaster:
Vishakha, our HR Lead, works tirelessly for our students. Now that you’re placed at Knowcraft, what’s your role going to be?

Vasu Bansal:
I’ll be working as a Valuation Analyst — working on company valuations, time models, etc.

Podcaster:
Will that be for private or public companies?

Vasu Bansal:
As of now, it seems like private companies — but the details are still getting finalized.

Podcaster:
That’s okay. Once your basics — DCF, comparables — are strong, the rest follows. Most companies hire people who are already 70–80% trained so they can invest in getting them to 100%. You’ve done just that.

Vasu Bansal:
Yeah.

Podcaster:
For students stuck in unrelated jobs or freshers looking to break into finance, what message do you have?

Vasu Bansal:
My college wasn’t the kind that offered placements. Doing CFA wasn’t enough either. I realized I had to build real, practical skills. Jobaaj’s training in valuations and investment banking gave me that. The first job is super important — it opens future doors. Without Jobaaj, I’d probably still be in a non-finance role.

Podcaster:
Very kind words — and we’re extremely proud of what you’ve achieved. We guide and teach, but it’s up to students to apply and succeed, and you did just that.

Vasu Bansal:
Can I share something?

Podcaster:
Yes, of course.

Vasu Bansal:
During assignments, I was so irritated — I think I completed the course in November but those assignments were so tough I just wanted to quit!

Podcaster:
That’s normal. Financial modeling isn’t a one-size-fits-all skill. Each model needs to adapt based on industry, company goals, etc. But you stuck with it and today you’ve started a solid career. That’s something to be proud of.

Vasu Bansal:
Even if one person gets inspired, it’s worth it.

Podcaster:
And you’ve already referred two friends, right?

Vasu Bansal:
Yes, I’ve enrolled two of my friends with Jobaaj!

..............

Don’t miss the full conversation—watch the podcast now and get inspired by Vasu's journey!

 

General interview questions answered by Vasu during his selection process

Explain the concept of Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation.

Sample Answers: DCF is a method used to estimate the value of an investment based on its expected future cash flows. These cash flows are projected and then discounted back to their present value using a discount rate, typically the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). The sum of these present values gives the intrinsic value of the business or asset.

What is WACC and why is it important in valuations?

Sample Answers: WACC stands for Weighted Average Cost of Capital. It represents the average rate a company is expected to pay to finance its assets — using both debt and equity. In valuations, it’s used as the discount rate in DCF models to determine the present value of future cash flows. A lower WACC results in a higher valuation and vice versa.

Can you walk us through a comparable company analysis (comps)?

Sample Answers: Comparable company analysis involves identifying publicly traded companies similar to the target company in terms of industry, size, and business model. We collect valuation multiples such as EV/EBITDA, P/E, and EV/Sales for those comps and apply the average or median multiple to the target company’s financial metrics to arrive at its estimated valuation. It’s a relative valuation method and helps in benchmarking.

Tell us about a financial model you’ve built during your training.

Sample Answers: During my training, I worked on multiple financial models. One example was building a full 3-statement model for a manufacturing firm. It included revenue drivers, cost assumptions, working capital schedules, depreciation, and interest calculations. I linked the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, and then performed DCF valuation using projected free cash flows.

What challenges did you face during your learning journey and how did you overcome them?

Sample Answers: Initially, I found financial modeling quite challenging — especially linking all statements and debugging errors. I felt frustrated during assignments but kept pushing through with help from mentors and practice. That persistence helped me master the concepts and ultimately succeed in interviews.

What are the key financial statements and how are they connected?

Sample Answers: The key financial statements are the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. Net income from the Income Statement flows into the Cash Flow Statement and retained earnings on the Balance Sheet. Depreciation and changes in working capital adjust cash flow, and any increase in capital expenditure reflects in the balance sheet and cash flow statements. They're all interconnected to present a full picture of financial health.