Goldman Sachs Reviews

Pros

Good systems/processes, management is friendly

Cons

Less scope for growth in tech

Advice to Senior Management

Nothing at all. Management is really professional and good.

Pros

Freedom of thoughts, Challenging, Networking

Cons

No work life balance possible

Advice to Senior Management

Need to review managers more effectively

Pros

Its a good place to work and the people are good for the most part. Good opportunities if you want to do the same thing for your entire career. Operations just isnt exciting work. Good pay compared to similar companies.

Cons

Not a good work life balance at all, they pay you just enough to think not spending time with family or any outside interests is just ok. Analyst and Associate levels are the worker bees and are worked hard.

Advice to Senior Management

Promote better work life balance. 10 hour day requirement and most work 10-12 burns out people.

Pros

On a good year, you can make a good bonus, if you're in a good team. On a bad year, you've probably put in many hours of work and not going to see a competitive income - that can be quite frustrating.

Cons

Work Culture - too many do's and don'ts with respect to how to talk , behave and "play the game". You always have to be vigilant of perception within the company. That reflects on your bonus.
Compensation - In a bad year, it will not be competitive with respect to the market

Advice to Senior Management

None.

Pros

1. Comparable pay to its peers.
2, Talented people to work with

Cons

1. Unreasonable hours
2.No work-life balance

Advice to Senior Management

1. Have better HR policies.

Pros

great principles that the firm is based on. lots of hard working people, really strong team environment, everyone wants to help you learn if you ask. seems like a great place to develop into a great banker. Benefits-dinner after 8, car home after 10, business class flights over 1500 miles, gym in the office, and great cafeteria and food options. all the most senior people are very normal, just extremely smart and great at what they do

Cons

heavy competition among the analysts and interns to be seen and to get on the best deals. the current environment worries everyone, and the new crop of analysts and associates (under 5 years) seem to be moving away from the classic Goldman mindset

Advice to Senior Management

Lead the firm to profitability and continue to try and be role models for the rest of the firm. The great work that the senior partners do in the community and outside of work gives the junior people something to aspire to. Work doesn't seem like an end goal for most of the partners, it was just successful business that has helped them influence other endeavors and passions they have.

Pros

Smart People
Good Name on Resume
Opportunity to make a difference very early in career
Great starting compensation
Dynamic working environment

Cons

No work like balance
Culture of working more hours than necessary
Anyone can be laid off, even a top performer
Focus is constantly changing, can make it difficult to get a read on management priorities
Firm is under great regulatory scrutiny

Advice to Senior Management

Layoffs and hiring need to be more consistent and fair. If there is a chance of layoffs in the near future than don't hire.

In general, priorities need to be communicated from the top down so that people don't waste time on less important tasks.

People should be encouraged to work smarter and not just longer.

Pros

Great people, opportunities and connections to be had; the work is interesting (and depending on who you work with) you will have great access to senior manegement and great responsibility.

Cons

Terrible work-life balance. The company has become more bureaucratic and hesistant over the past few years. Also unclear if there is room for pronotion because senior management has very low turnover...

Advice to Senior Management

Cull some of the senior ranks ti make room for junior staff! Stop pretending that there is some semblanceof work-life balance....

Pros

- great pay
- very competitive culture, yet friendly people at the same time
- will help to get other jobs

Cons

- maybe long hours for some
- compliance! its too much...

Pros

Great brand name for your resume
Extremely intelligent people in all areas
Fantastic place to learn the business and build your network

Cons

Nebulous politics and lots of egotism
Sometimes feedback is ridiculous: not really meant to fortify you but rather break you into the cultural mold
Hours are brutal
You or your feelings have no value

Advice to Senior Management

Better take care to eliminate some of that headline risk. The firm is starting to lose its luster, so it's harder to justify treating your people poorly for the sake of reputation.