Blair struggled through some post Covid growing pains but seems to be doing well as they CONSTANTLY are hiring associates, VPs etc. Any insight into the firm and the direction they are heading? Best groups and exit opps etc.
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performed decently well in 2024/2025, but not where they were in 2021.
Best groups are Tech and HC. have heard as of recent it’s
a complete sweatshop in both of those groups. Comp is in line with street.
The fact that they are always hiring Asso/VP should indicate their issues with retention/churn
People on this forum like to talk down on anything that's not EB/BB, but Blair is still a top MM and has some really solid groups. Hours can be kind of bad, but everyone I knew who worked there said the culture was decent. I've seen lots of great exits too - sure, it might not place the same as something like EVC, but you can get good PE or corp dev jobs out of Blair.
Heavily group dependent….
Which groups are best for exits? WLB?
Depends how much do you value your sanity and wellbeing
Believe most of their issues last few years were related to overhiring MDs in '21 with guarantees that turned the comp pool upside down for a bit. My understanding is that's washed through the system now has turned the corner. Would still consider them one of the top MMs in my sector (industrials)
Complete sweat shop. The reason why they are hiring is because the firm have trouble hiring and retention is low. They aren’t hiring because it’s growing. Average turnover for associates / analysts are around 1 year. You will get good exits for sure, but make sure you can work 90-100 hours a week. Exits will be on par with PS, HL, HW and Jeff.
What are typical exits from them? MM PE at the ceiling? Also how is it lateraling over to WB as far as difficulty goes?
Anyone with a brain could get the job at William Blair. They need people, a lot of folks from comparable firms don’t want to go there cuz of shit pay, long hours and bad culture. Their business model is to hire juniors for 1-2 years and work them to death then they will have another class of analysts and associates come in.
You will be on 5-6 deals at any given time, expect to work 9-3am during the weekdays and 15-20 hours over the weekend. There is no room for anyone to hide, associate / analyst do everything including VP tasks.
No MF PE exit, everything else is a fair game. You will come out very sharp, but horrible experience when you’re there. Treat it as 2 years in Navy Seals bootcamp for finance, you will be verbally beaten and destroyed physically. If you can survive the 2 years, you will be extremely marketable for any job.
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