There is some information on here I have come across, but nothing on this office specifically. Does anyone have any experience in the interview process for this office? Had a model test and phone screen, but not sure what to expect in the final round.
Any insight is greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has insight on the associate level culture / experience, that would also be very useful. Many thanks in advance.
Also interested - bumping
Interviewed a couple years ago. Almost everyone will ask you to do a paper LBO during their interviews, and there will be one or two people who do more detailed case study type interviews. Culture seemed fairly meh and the senior guys were pretty rough around the edges / didn't have much emotion. Nothing made me really want to work there except for the brand name and track record. Didn't feel like a place people enjoyed going into every day.
Thanks this is good info. Did you get a feel for what hours were like? Banking v2? Also, to any point you can elaborate on that detailed cases would be super helpful. Not really sure how to prepare for those.
No idea on the hours but I didn't see very many smiles on peoples' faces, and none of the associates were part of the interviews. For the detailed case, it was evaluating qualitative and quantitative aspects of a specific type of company (I can't recall exactly what type) but it was the kind where they ask you a question and then more pointed, conceptual questions. It's been years so my memory is a bit hazy on the specifics.
IMO, SF office is better than Miami HQ, but it's still a grinding shop. It has a large portfolio, tends to be understaffed and chases lots of deals each year. One of the SF senior members is a good guy and another is nice enough, but very robotic and quirky.
Associates I spoke with there talked about average hours similar to banking. They do keep their associates very involved in deals and bring them to most management meetings, which is good for development and to get out of the office.
Which fund are you interviewing for? I've met a couple associates in the firm's SF office - from what I've heard the associate experience differs based on your fund.
...
Interviewing for the LBO fund - any intel you have on that would be hugely appreciated
Sweat shop just like the rest. Great place to build skills/resume/etc.
Talked to multiple people from SF team and got invited to Superday - didn’t end up going though. Heard all the negative rumors about them but I personally feel SF office is slightly better than other offices...solid track record and deal flow. Tough hours tho as I heard during interviews.
Interviewed there. They suck. Period.
Why is that?
I'll opine here as I interviewed to the final round with this group back when I was recruiting and thankfully turned it down. There is plenty written about them and it is all completely true. They understaff, underpay, and overwork.. to the extreme. They don't even try to hide this at their super day, where everyone forcefully drills the point into your head that you have to be willing to sacrifice any aspect of a social life for the job.
Interestingly, there is a massive gap between the pedigree of bios in their associate class versus their VP's and up. Clearly they struggle to recruit top talent but this should be no surprise, as they are a true lower middle market firm that works you to the bone without justified compensation. For whoever they're recruiting, they're the last girl at the bar. On top of all that, whenever I come across people who had worked at HIG, they are now working at average MM firms that they could have started out at anyways, made more money, and had a life. It truly blows my mind they're able to deceive anyone into joining such a toxic place. They try and justify all of this by flaunting their b-school placement. Great. That's worth about 5 cents and a cup of coffee when any other remotely recognized middle market can give you the same b-school opportunities.
Error et rerum reprehenderit qui minima rerum aut. Exercitationem itaque aliquid nihil id sapiente assumenda. Laboriosam corrupti officia corrupti et recusandae.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...