Anyone ever apply through the company's career page?

I don't really know if this topic has been brought up since most people here are networking for their positions, but I am just curious to know if anyone ever had success by just going to Goldman's career page and applying through their website. I know there are probably hundreds of applicants for this, so its difficult, but for someone like me coming from a non-target, I wouldn't really have the type of connections to land a job at a BB.

37 Comments
 

If you're a non-target with no connections, aiming at GS is a bit high. Be more realistic and work with what you have. Hundreds is an understatement by a few thousand I think, and it is very difficult to land something that way I believe. Even if you are qualified, it is hard to break in that way.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
 
Best Response
streetwannabeIf you're a non-target with no connections, aiming at GS is a bit high. Be more realistic and work with what you have. Hundreds is an understatement by a few thousand I think, and it is very difficult to land something that way I believe. Even if you are qualified, it is hard to break in that way.

Please don't listen to this guy. I know some people who did not go to target schools and who received interviews from GS and MS after submitting their application through the firm's website.

One of them did it just to play around and was shocked when she got the interview.

Anyway, the OP has nothing to lose by applying. Always remember, when you only have a couple of minute to waste or have nothing to lose, do whatever you can to get the job.

Power and Money do not change men; they only unmask them
 
FlakieBear
streetwannabeIf you're a non-target with no connections, aiming at GS is a bit high. Be more realistic and work with what you have. Hundreds is an understatement by a few thousand I think, and it is very difficult to land something that way I believe. Even if you are qualified, it is hard to break in that way.

Please don't listen to this guy. I know some people who did not go to target schools and who received interviews from GS and MS after submitting their application through the firm's website.

One of them did it just to play around and was shocked when she got the interview.

Anyway, the OP has nothing to lose by applying. Always remember, when you only have a couple of minute to waste or have nothing to lose, do whatever you can to get the job.

I'm not saying to not try, as I sure as hell did. I'm just saying that you can better allocate your efforts and resources elsewhere. Of course GS and top BB recruit from non targets, I'm just saying that it is unlikely thru the online application system.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
 

Yes. Got a bunch of interviews from BB and offer from one just applying from their career page..... Although...they were down here for OCR too......So maybe that's why. But they do sift through resumes, I thought one of the BB's might just look over my resume, but called me back. So just try, but if you know a recruiter or someone in the bank, it's even a better plus. Email them.

 

I am very very surprised at the answers so far. I was almost certain everyone agreed they fill all spots through OCR and networking and use on-line apps as a last resort which wud rarely need to be used in good times and literally never be used at times like this...let alone GS. I may pick up my on-line app effort if this is all true

GBS
 

It's funny how it's completely the opposite in London (in regard to GoldmanBallSachs' comment). Everybody goes through online applications.

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SonnyZHIt's funny how it's completely the opposite in London (in regard to GoldmanBallSachs' comment). Everybody goes through online applications.

This. I knew networking for roles was more prevalent in the US but never to this extent. Surely people at BBs are tired of people kissing their ass at this stage? Excuse my ignorance (I'm based in Europe) but would these guys ignore most phone calls/emails from students as a result of this?

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JPM NY, Robert W Baird Milwaukee/Chicago, Houlihan Lokey NY & Chicago, UBS NY, Barclay's NY and SocGen NY as of a few years ago all took (non-target) applicants from their online applications from my personal experience. JPM was actually the quickest to get back about interview invitations surprisingly. Barclay's took a few phone calls and messages to HR.

 

From my experience, if you meet their semi target / target schools / GPA criteria then yes, otherwise it is a waste of time in my opinion. if you know someone that works there (even if its an analyst) and you're able to name drop that person on an application field then that helps as well.

Also, Goldman doesn't get hundreds of applicants online, they get thousands.

 

Those jobs are posted there mainly for HR purposes. Most of them are filled internally, referrals, or recruiters (my personal experience). At my previous employer I've seen positions posted online that have already been filled. I just got hired at Wells Fargo, and the position was still available online even though I had already filled the spot. (a recruiter helped me). After they made me an offer, they asked me to apply online. It was a bit weird.

 

Can you please share a bit more about your situation back then? What do you think was the edge that made your resume pass that first round?

Much appreciate it.

 

Do apply. However, as mentioned before it is better to have a contact. That contact will be crucial as he/she can push you in for a 1st round because they can speak to HR on your behalf. However, if your school/university has a career website apply through that. I am from a non-target as well and BB's have recruited for front-office roles on campus. In fact, I have even applied online at the banks website without applying on my university's website and I have gotten calls for interviews at my school. However, this is all as a result from networking. Yes you may get lucky and get an interview from a non-target just by applying online, but sometimes is it because the bank may want to recruit from a certain geographic area. Networking is key.

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When I was at my non-target (no BB recruiting on campus) I applied to Goldman's IBD and got a call for a phone interview within the week followed by a random superday invite for their special situations group, which is technically within the Securities division and I did not directly apply for it. I told one of the analysts I randomly met that I was applying, which could have significantly increased my chances in ways I don't have full knowledge of. Just do it, you have maybe an hour of time to give up and a chance to get a good gig. Not sure how it works at all the BBs, but if they think you have potential you will get a first round and you may get interviews with other groups they may think you are well suited for.

Yes. You can apply online through the company's career page. In fact, a lot of companies now a days require job applicants to submit their resume online. Just make sure that your resume is well written to be able to get the attention of the hiring officer.

 

Definitely works, I landed my current job through the company's career website. I also had interviews w/ Barclays, Citi, and JPM all by applying on their career website. Also made friends w/ some recruiters at diff companies who plucked me from their website applicant pool, once I was in w/ them, they let me know about the positions before they were posted, and zing, got an interview.

 

I have rec'vd FO roles through the blackhole which are online applications. In fact, most of us at least know someone who has, so its totally not unheard of.

Think of FT FO roles as such:

40% of roles come from networking/nepotism/etc. 30% of roles come from some structured OCR 20% of roles come from internal/external recruiter ~ 10% of roles come from the random online pool

These are just my ball park figures, but I would guess that theyre pretty close. This is how you should probably spend your time looking for jobs. It proves that while you should not spend all day whipping out online apps, you would definitely be doing your self a disservice by ignoring them completely and conceding 10% of the process (especially in today's enviroment).

"Sounds to me like you guys a couple of bookies."
 

I've received many interviews from applying online, but I go to a target, have a decent GPA, and have bulge bracket FO experience. With that said, I have yet to receive a FT offer at a bank via online applications. I wouldn't tell anyone not to apply online, but this should not be a substitute for networking.

 

Well, it's certainly the WORST WAY to apply, but still your odds of getting an interview are better than not applying at at. IIRC, most companies nowadays use something like Taleo and it just filters for what they're looking for.

"Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, titled simply Whitney Houston, had four number one singles on it?"
 
bbillgoldWell, it's certainly the WORST WAY to apply, but still your odds of getting an interview are better than not applying at at. IIRC, most companies nowadays use something like Taleo and it just filters for what they're looking for.

And, again not saying don't apply, but every different employer takes a different profile. Takes ages to set up an account at every site and is time consuming and tedious as hell. E.g. Required field: What is an example of a challenge that you have overcome recently? How did you achieve this? (Less than 500 characters). Gay

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
 
streetwannabe
bbillgoldWell, it's certainly the WORST WAY to apply, but still your odds of getting an interview are better than not applying at at. IIRC, most companies nowadays use something like Taleo and it just filters for what they're looking for.

And, again not saying don't apply, but every different employer takes a different profile. Takes ages to set up an account at every site and is time consuming and tedious as hell. E.g. Required field: What is an example of a challenge that you have overcome recently? How did you achieve this? (Less than 500 characters). Gay

Ages to set up an account? => You are exaggerating.

Time consuming?

You are investing in your future, so what's the big deal?

Power and Money do not change men; they only unmask them
 

Don't know about Goldman or BBs but it can work. It's just way harder. I've gotten every job and internship like this though.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

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