I have an interview with Goldman Sachs IBD...please help

Hi,

I have an interview with Goldman Sachs IBD. I am currently at another rival bank, in IBD.

They have asked me to come for interviews, but because I have been really busy with work, It will be be hard for me to make it. Is it possible for me to ask them to hold the interviews over the phone? Or would that be unacceptable? I am sure I can find some time over the phone to sneak couple of interviews.

Please provide comments and suggestions how I can approach this.

Thanks

11 Comments
 

Since the OP currently works in banking, it's probably a little different. GS may be a little more sympathetic to your situation but that doesn't mean you shouldn't make time to meet with them. Meeting face to face is 100x more effective than a phone interview. If you meet enough people your first time around, they may not even require you to do second rounds. Trust me, every analyst has had to sneak out of work for extended periods of time to interview (although most of the time it's for buyside jobs). It's easier than you think. Oftentimes if people can't find you they assume you're in a meeting.

The other question I have is why are you looking to make the switch? Is it really worth it to you to make the switch from one BB to another (if you are not at a BB, or a fringe BB like BofA, DB, Wachovia, etc. then this is a little easier to explain)? Remember, someone down the line will ask you why you made the switch from one BB to GS, and most people won't understand, so you'll probably have to explain yourself away. Any reason you give makes you look bad, in my opinion.

 

Nah man, The reason why I dont have time the next few weeks is because im in middle of execution, so definitely will be tough going out of the office for 2 hours! So dont see any visibility.

The reason why I wanted to ask for telephoen interviews is because the positions are given on the rolling basis, so dont want to jepordize any chances!

I am not necessary looking to make a switch. Just want to keep options open if I get a better offer, better terms, etc. Have friends who have done the same with a guaranteed 2 yr bonuses, etc. The bank I work for is one of the top 3 banks in M&A rankings YTD 2007.

But yeh, I guess I will need to find some way or another to sneak out. Will be weird...

Please continue 2 provide me with your comments and suggestions.

 
Best Response

Are you a first or second year analyst?

Honestly, my suggestion to you is to stay. It sounds like you are getting your hands on some steady deal flow and I would be wary of leaving in the middle of a transaction to start over at another bank, where you may not get your hands on a deal for a few months at the least. Think about this in the long term, and don't be short sighted. The only possible reason I could see for leaving for GS from another BB at this point would be if you are positive you want banking to be a career move, and you want to be an associate/VP/MD at Goldman. If you are thinking of PE or HF in the next 6 months to a year, I think it's a disasterous move.

For one, regardless of the 2 year guarunteed bonus (which is what, 30-50k more over the course of two years if the markets continue to tank?), is it really worth having to explain to a PE fund why you job hopped? It only takes one good transaction under your belt to be successful at PE interviews, but job hopping from one bank to another for no real reason other than money (which, by the way, is the worst reason to jump) is an automatic ding, in my opinion. I would honestly stay put, don't let your interviewing distract you from your work, get top bucket in your analyst class this year. That way if you decide to switch banks for the associate position, or go the PE route, you'll have much more credibility.

 

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