Firm Culture for Recruiting
Hi everyone, I am a rising sophomore preparing for recruitment this upcoming year. I am trying to make make a list of firms I would like to apply to, but having trouble finding much info on each firm's culture and their specializations. Are there any resources that would help, or anything of your own experience about the culture at each firm?
And how many firms should I be applying to? how many should be BB / EB / MM / boutiques & other? I do want to shoot for BBs and EBs but I also want to maximize my chances. Thanks so much!
Bump
network or scroll this site
generally, EBs are going to have a more intellectual culture than the BBs, but even then, this is group specific. eg, an M&A group at a BB is going to me more EB-like culture wise.
as for specific firms, this is why networking is important. one, networking is a way so you as a candidate can figure out which firms you like/don't like. two, it allows you to show that you've done your diligence so when you get asked the "Why X bank?" question you can give specifics. for example, in a coffee chat with a moelis analyst they started asking me technicals mid call so I deemed moelis was too sweaty for me and did not apply.
your other questions can be answered by scrolling through this site.
EBs have a more finance Hardo culture, not a more intellectual culture. Knowing you want to do finance from high school does not make you an intellectual. EBs and BBs largely have the same group of people from very similar schools. Jobs all the same. A lot of very intellectual people would pick Goldman and MS over EBs because of the brand name, pure pay isn't everything.
i agree for the most part, but the kids i've seen at GS and MS tend to be the more social type in my experience. i also think hardo and intellectual go hand in hand more than people admit. you're right that not every hardo is an intellectual, but a kid who's been prepping technicals since freshman year is going to end up more intellectual on average just by sheer correlation. the curiosity that makes someone grind accounting questions at 18 usually doesn't stop at finance.
Bruh just apply to every bank possible
One thing that helped me was looking beyond a firm's official careers page. Employee reviews, LinkedIn profiles, alumni networks, and conversations with current or former employees often provide a much clearer picture of the culture and day-to-day work.
When building your target list, it's usually a good idea to apply across a mix of firms rather than focusing only on Bulge Brackets (BBs). Include Elite Boutiques (EBs), Middle Market (MM) firms, and a few regional or industry-focused boutiques. That gives you more opportunities while still allowing you to prioritize your top choices.
Also, don't underestimate networking. Informational calls with analysts and associates can give you insights that you won't find online and may help you understand which firms are the best fit for your interests and working style.
Ultimately, culture fit, deal exposure, mentorship, and learning opportunities are just as important as firm prestige, especially early in your career. Good luck with recruiting!
Honestly, it’s a hustle and if you’re networking and studying hard enough, it becomes a numbers game. Study the group, what they’re known for and do your research. There’s a ton of info on this forum for most groups actually. Good luck!
For example, if you’re applying to a certain group at BofA, make sure you’re up to date on the latest tik tok trends and have 1,000+ followers on instagram. Heard you gotta do an outfit of the day skit for their superday lol
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