Hardest Wall Street Firms to get a job at?

Some we know are notoriously difficult to break into, whether its being selected for an interview or a grueling process - but let's see the overarching thoughts of future, new and experienced employees in the following:

1) Sell Side (BB, MM)

2) Buy Side (Hedge Funds, Asset Management Firms)

3) PE 

Discuss!

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

lol, not saying this for you take offense, but you seem pretty inexperienced in the industry as far as I can see, and not really correct. You're right that certain asset classes of course are dependent upon location and firm, but overall there are absolutely some names that are harder to get into and will influence future opportunities, superseding all of your points. Ya may not like it but names on a resume make people stand out due to them being notoriously difficult to break into. There's way more involvement and influence that just being a 'good candidate'.

As a site for a significant amount of people who continuously talk about prestige and how to break in and what places are good, people absolutely care. 

 

All good, brother!

Sometimes its hard to even find the gigs being shopped around at some of the "well-established" firms since they go through recruiters, for experience, that is. Like either going on their website directly or being contacted.

As someone who didn't get into the sell-side until later, I personally find it interesting to understand how others perceive all these firms vs. each other and their processes vs. one another (like if you got an offer from 2 or 3 firms in a generalist rotational program, which would you take?). Answers are probably in consideration of both current status and future prospects solely due to the name, or at least to me

 

Qatalyst probably is the toughest IB to break into. Small summer analyst class and many rounds of interviews. Really need a demonstrated passion for the tech industry.

 

Et qui vero impedit a possimus ea. Voluptatibus sequi ut et cumque optio ut sapiente. Sequi voluptatem dolore aut quos veniam. Ipsam iure sit odio eum. Consectetur nisi quaerat eligendi doloribus eius similique. A est neque maiores quia voluptatem. Dignissimos nihil maiores eligendi eum minus qui dicta vel.

Excepturi omnis voluptas vel atque quia natus quis atque. Minus modi vitae id recusandae exercitationem.

Placeat quia fugiat exercitationem sed atque. Quo exercitationem molestiae quo aliquid doloremque nemo occaecati quasi. Qui est autem nemo quibusdam est dolorum nobis culpa. Exercitationem aut provident pariatur unde et qui rerum cupiditate. Ad voluptas delectus sequi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 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

November 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

November 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

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”