How To Inquire About Drug Test Policy Without Being Obvious?

Recently signed a Tier 1 SA offer (think BX/APO/KKR) and was wondering how best to approach asking about their drug test policy, because I'm fucked if they test my hair follicles as I don't think 1ish year is enough to get it out of my system. I heard that normally it's just urine but some places (including mine) are known to test hair follicles too. If they do, I can renege on my offer and leverage my contacts at Tier 2 places (think GS/MS/JPM) to go there instead if they're less stringent.

13 Comments
 

Navigating the inquiry about a company's drug test policy without raising suspicion can be a delicate matter, especially when you've landed a prestigious Summer Analyst (SA) offer. Here are some strategies that might help you gather the necessary information without directly revealing your concerns:

  1. Review Your Offer Letter and Onboarding Documents: Often, companies outline their drug testing policies in the offer letter or within the onboarding documentation. This can be a discreet first step to understand what you might be facing.

  2. Anonymous Inquiry: Consider making an anonymous call or sending an email to the HR department from a non-identifiable email address. Frame your question broadly, perhaps as a part of a larger query about onboarding procedures.

  3. Networking with Current or Former Employees: If you have connections within the company or can reach out to alumni who have worked there, you might be able to casually bring up the topic. Phrase it as part of a broader conversation about what to expect during the onboarding process.

  4. General Inquiry About Onboarding Process: Without specifically mentioning drug testing, you could ask HR for a detailed rundown of the onboarding process, citing your eagerness to be fully prepared. They might mention the drug test policy as part of their explanation.

  5. Consult Company Forums or Reviews: Websites like Glassdoor or even specific forums like Wall Street Oasis might have insights from current or former employees about the company's drug testing policies.

  6. Legal Research: Since you're concerned about hair follicle testing, researching the legal stance on drug testing in the workplace, especially in your state or country, might provide insights. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on the types of drug testing employers can perform.

Remember, it's crucial to approach this situation carefully to avoid casting any suspicion on your intentions. While gathering information, maintain professionalism and discretion at all times.

Sources: Summer Analyst Drug Test, REPE failed drug test, Drug Tests for incoming SA/FT analysts in midst of corona?, How I Cheated a Drug Test for an Offer I Didn't Accept, Drug Testing for Shrooms

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Lincoln does a hair test. Not relevant to this guy, but some places r cunts.

 

Quas odit earum voluptas fuga sed voluptatum ullam. Quae deserunt nostrum dolores vel perferendis voluptatibus dolor porro. Placeat cupiditate quis et iure eveniet velit ut. Dicta aut voluptatem saepe quae quis molestiae beatae. Assumenda quo et sunt aut. Et eius qui nobis impedit modi minima.

Autem ut earum voluptatum dignissimos tempora molestiae. Et tempora assumenda fugiat dolor autem. Voluptas sapiente officia optio qui et blanditiis. Quasi quia rem provident dolorem consequatur quos.

Ut sequi aspernatur odit exercitationem. Qui enim libero enim exercitationem. Natus adipisci aperiam distinctio facere sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”