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Bro BofA clearly over Citi and, for US, also clearly over Laz and, for Europe, on par with Laz. Absolutely no doubt in this.

 

My friend texted me saying she just got a job offer (YAY!)...

And was asked to send three references.

She asked me, “Who should my 3 be?”

When it comes to references, I suggest:

1) Have a mix of former managers + colleagues 

2) Make sure each reference is someone you had a positive working relationship with → aka, they’d say “yes!” in a heartbeat if you called to ask them to be your reference

3) If possible, have a mix of references who worked with you at various companies 

4) If you’re early on in your career and have only had one job so far, get creative: (former athletes → your college coach, grad-students → your academic advisor, etc.)

5) If you can’t use your current manager, ask a coworker who’s a few levels above you in your department and has collaborated with you, can speak to your work ethic, your skillset and your character 

In short: 

Be thoughtful when choosing your references! 

Their role in your hiring process is to convey to your potential future employer why you’re the best candidate. 

Those reference checks could be the ultimate deciding factor.

So make them count.

 

Would add that UBS should not even be in the discussion it’s next level down bad.

Can make the case for BofA/Citi/Laz based on group and whether you want the boutique experience 

 
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Comments are full of BofA/Citi interns lmfao. Lazard is on a completely different level than all of these and is the very obvious choice.

 

Top groups at BofA/Citi are on par with any LAZ group. Agreed that there can be placement risk at BofA/Citi but if you go for eg their M&A team, you will have the same or even better exits than most LAZ groups. Pay wise LAZ might have a slight edge although it's commonly known as the worst paying EB 

 

I agree except for anything levfin or credit related. BofA is the best option there by quite a bit, they have a pretty elite LevFin franchise. Citi and UBS both also have good LevFin franchises, would choose any of those 3 over Lazard if credit work is the goal 

 

Lazard - Citi/BoFA - UBS. Choose between Citi and BoFA based on the quality of calls and/or what group you think you can end up in, not a huge difference between the two.  I would pick Lazard over the others, IMO stronger junior experience at the boutiques since leaner deal teams and more direct M&A work. Career's a marathon and not a sprint, and think Lazard is the best for the junior experience aspect in respect to responsibility and getting transcational experience. 

Only exception I would say is that if you want to do solely credit work/PC work (in that case BoFa> Citi/UBS though all 3 have good LevFin franchises), then you would take one of the other 3, but I don't think that's a popular career path out of people who are on WSO as recruiting sophomores. 

 

Lazard >> BofA, Citi >>> UBS

For exits, Lazard is miles ahead. For comp Laz pays the lowest out of the EBs, so Citi and BofA catch up. If you’re trying to do A2A, Citi and BofA are better. But if you’re trying to exit MFPE or get SM HF looks, Lazard wins. Within finance, prestige-wise too Lazard wins. BofA and Citi do have very good west coast groups that compete with Lazard, but overall Lazard sweeps, especially in NY.

UBS is a sinking ship. Compared to the rest of the 3 this isn’t a question.

Not really sure how this compares outside the US.

 

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