Goldman Sachs Reviews in New York City, NY Area

Pros

it's stable regardless of what happens to the economy

Cons

long hours, demanding schedule; you have to stretch and be flexible

Advice to Senior Management

give more grace in the consideration for vacancies to non-Ivy-League graduates

Pros

Good pay and benefits, lot's of smart and experienced people to learn from. You will learn a lot of good things here.

Cons

Stupid mob mentality. Two many chains of command. Standard long working hours. If you know how to talk you will bsyour way to VP, but if you are quiet and just productive, noone will ever promote you.

Advice to Senior Management

Do some work.

Pros

Lots of opportunties to move up and prove what you're worth. Very in-depth training for newly minted empoyees

Cons

Too worried about the bottom line. An inconsistent work-life balance

Advice to Senior Management

Review what staff level employees have to say

Pros

Reputation
Lot opportunities to learn business.
Opportunity to work in different countries.

Cons

Outdated technologies.
Non-mobile experience due proprietary technologies.
Inefficient proprietary technologies mostly relying on brutal force.
Outdated trading technologies.
Mediocre total compensation comparing to similar companies or hedge funds.
Lot of non-work related support. (creates illusion that people work hard)

Advice to Senior Management

think outside the box especially MDs

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

Fantastic brand, instantly recognizable everywhere and highly respected
Outstanding training opportunities with industry leaders.
Wonderful, interesting people who will open your eyes to the world.

Cons

Some politics, very competitive
Long hours

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

work with the best people
great reputation

Cons

many employees have to work long hrs

Advice to Senior Management

senior management should not take "long work hours" as a culture of the firm as each person need to have both work and lift.