Should I apply for Goldman Analyst or Associate role?

All,

I'm pre-MBA coming out of two years as an analyst with a Big 3 consulting firm, with a finance background a summer interning with a boutique M&A shop.

With that level of experience would the analyst or associate role be the most appropriate to go after?

Thanks.

9 Comments
 

Analyst - don't see how 2 years in consulting gets you an assoc title w/o an MBA but if you hear from your network (or those better informed than I am here) then go for most you can get/

 

Probably a third year analyst because I don't see how two years of consulting would equal three years of banking.

 

I think you would have to go analyst, is there a requirements section in the job postings that may be instructive as to which one your experience would better fit?

 
Best Response

It wouldn't make sense for him to come in as an Associate after 2 years of consulting experience. You're switching industries and most of the time that means getting an MBA to even be competitive. Keep in mind you're going to a job that's going to be different than your last one and the guys who have been working in it for 2 years have been pulling 80+ hour weeks. They have a shitload of experience, how do you think you stack up against that? You could probably come in as an Analyst, and while I don't work in the industry, unless you're blowing an MD an MBA is probably the only (and best) way to start as an Associate. Unless you lika da cock.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Thanks. I was leaning towards analyst being more realistic, but didn't want to unnecessarily limit the level I'd be joining at. Unfortunately the GS job description for associate is pretty ambiguous, so all the input is much appreciated.

 

Ipsam libero architecto qui sequi laboriosam iure. Error et sint corporis et. Minus maxime qui reprehenderit laboriosam. Voluptatem occaecati iste eligendi repellat dolor. Quia occaecati inventore quia iure sint distinctio dolorem.

Alias inventore officia itaque tenetur molestias. Sint non quaerat adipisci sed. Eum in quidem laboriosam maxime eos eveniet et. Sunt dolorem dolor incidunt nihil suscipit explicabo facere. Possimus excepturi ut facilis quas eveniet a.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”