Goldman Sachs Reviews in New York City, NY Area

Pros

professional. smart people. work hard

Cons

politics. at least my manager is terrible - doesn't give you career advice, treats you as a working machine

Pros

Steep learning curve
Work hard, play hard
Let me work on models to round out my summer experience
Team always available to answer questions

Cons

Long hours
HR was difficult when I tried to move internally
Firm is currently cutting expenses
Very volatile in terms of headcount

Advice to Senior Management

GS is looking at its investment management division as its future revenue leader. It should instead retain its focus on investment banking advisory and sales & trading.

Pros

Very collaborative work culture. Tremendous focus on career growth - in fact improving yourself is not something they help you with - it is something you are _required_ to do otherwise you will be in the "bottom" for consideration when every year 5% of the worst performers are let go.
Work from home is supported where it makes sense.

Cons

Technology hours are not as bad as banking hours, but still on average 10 to 12 hours a day (plus some other emergency every few days)
The company used to be flatter 10 years ago, now there is more middle management.

Pros

Brilliant people, top prestige, lean teams, great exposure to management and clients

Cons

Long hours, office politics, stuffy culture, unnecessarily competitive, male-dominated, fake and judgmental people. Disproportionate importance of perceived personality, and not actually a meritocracy.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't micromanage, give better feedback

Pros

Everyday you come to work you are faced with a new challenge and learn something new. A very rewarding place to work.

Cons

You have to be very committed to succeeding here by willing to work harder and longer than the average professional.

Advice to Senior Management

In this environment of uncertainty and fear, I wish management would do a better job of making the employees feel more secure about their positions and the outlook of the firm.

Pros

Very helpful staff. Management doesnt have a very complex hierarchy. People are easily reachable. Participation is recognized and very appreciated.

Cons

Its a very busy environment. Might throw you off at first. The people are very busy but will try their best to help you.

Advice to Senior Management

Very competent. Invest in their people. Very supportive of new ideas. They allow new ideas to be suggested and worked on.

Pros

Great Culture, Great brand value

Cons

Bad compensation package, No perks

Advice to Senior Management

Increase the basic compensation for New Analysts!!

Pros

money to start.....but nothing close to what you're producing for them

Cons

upward mobility
recognition
lazy upper level management
no respect for employees

Advice to Senior Management

stop taking credit for work you were no part of
be better at allowing analysts to network with superiors so that we may have a shot to develop our own careers

Pros

nice pay, intelligent people, loads of learning opportunities, great employer in the industry. go for it young starters, full of challenges

Cons

workload, long hours, high pressure, generally good, can't think of too much bad, oh may be hard to get in.

Pros

Great people; the most talented people you will find anywhere. Networking is consequently amazing. Also, resources are plenty in terms of doing any research.

Cons

Too competitive/cuthroat. Not team work or any kind of sense of purpose. Hours are terrible and people can be very unfriendly

Advice to Senior Management

Try to foster more of a team environement. Work on improving moral, and on expanding the trading floor. Pay could be better too.