What tf is going on with jefferies

Im an analyst at mid tier BB - turned down SA at jef. Yes, it’s likely i dodged some terrible culture bc it seems like very jef group i hear people talk about is a sweatshop, but i cant help but think that with the way jef has been climbing the league tables i may have missed out on having jef as a better brand name on my resume. Is there anything to what im thinking or is this just 20/20 hindsight?

I keep thinking that if jef keeps this roll going in a few yrs the brand name will be worth far more than it is now, which currently i think is still pretty solid

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Jefferies is already a ridiculously large and competitive firm to work at. Yes, in a few years it will probably be just a little under the big 4 BB’s.

But the culture that you would need to endure to keep this growth and pace is absolutely horrid. They know they can’t justify diminishing their bonus pools more by hiring more junior bankers (juniors are already mad at such disappointing bonuses) because they’re providing fixed bonus and comp structures to MDs they poach, which is the primary focus to continue growing their business.

Plus they rarely promote MDs internally and books are gate kept by the MDs. If you’re going to stay in banking join Jefferies as a MD, but not before. Joining the Analyst program to leave for buyside is fine, but climbing up the ranks is a mistake.

 

Why you'd join Jefferies for a career i dont know. 

It's purely for MM PE exits. 

MD promotes are super rare and they are only interested in buying in talent rather than developing it. 

You dodged a bullet. Terrible place to be anything but an MD.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

I started FT here after my SA stint. I’m actively looking to lateral. This isn’t sustainable…

 

Et dolor velit fugit debitis error laboriosam aspernatur. Eaque eligendi natus fuga. Consequuntur ullam eum deleniti reprehenderit vel voluptas et. Possimus consequatur voluptas dolores est dolorem repellendus. Provident porro ipsam sed excepturi libero adipisci non. Excepturi minus exercitationem quia placeat.

Non ullam placeat aliquid. Et explicabo corrupti vitae quia impedit voluptatem. Dolor beatae dolores perspiciatis et magni distinctio. Ea quam ut placeat qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”