Goldman Sachs Managing Director Reviews

Likes

Office infrastructure.

Dislikes

Long working hours minimal appraisal No WFH No flexibility on timings

Likes

It is how it is and it will be how it is

Dislikes

It is how it is and it will be how it is

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Strict Timings)

Likes

Working among one of the smartest people, branding, salary.

Dislikes

The biggest GS problem is that there is no meritocracy. Having worked in IB for more than 15years, I’ve seen tremendous injustices in terms of promotions, pay, and culture. (deleted by the administrator) is now difference.HR tends to recruit mix of brilliant people, which we can divided into 2 categories: - superbly educated and mediocre ones too (mostly with bought MBAs, not even target, expensive ones, as we are seeing many random, non-name candidates).Being superb, CFA , Phd technical is a deep liability because you’re expected to stay quiet and just churn out work. - Administrators, corp. sliders based on bosses liking than skills. Conversely, the people who are incapable of producing quality work are assigned “softer jobs” such as going to meetings, presenting to higher ups, and eventually managing others. Sooner or later all the “smart” people end up reporting to people who don’t understand the business but are good at sucking up to their boss. Those mainly have MBAs, so they aren't experts at all from anything...if you think 1 yrs programme will make you a leader in banking you are irrational, especially without ground knowledge which only qualifications and even masters provides. I don’t have an axe to grind, and actually think this culture has helped my career. In fact it is a great place to learn and grow if you have luck to deal with 1st category! Provided exit opportunities (if you are not too old - age bias) Hedge Funds etc in my case.The common misconception is it is difficult not being sb protégé. Well, I was recruited by direct HR approach last year (typically for +VP grades) However, I can call myself very lucky as HR on-board me although: - I was disciplinary terminated, (deleted by the administrator) in 15’ focusing on the last employer instead, recommendation. Lucky this hasn’t impacted my screening, most banks perform much detailed checks further in history! - I'm 100% non-TARGET (Uni, MBAs, background etc)I have low (3.6/5.0)M.Sc. Marketing/Accounting of Eastern Europe non target even there, 2nd degree- but never finished back at home, started ACCA which failed after 1st exam, same goes to FCA etc. An obvious trick was do buy instead MBA(nb fails those!) the cheapest London’s MBA(100% pass rates+ CMI incl. for free) nb cares, West London at the end my programme which I had to extended, luckly merged with City Uni - what confused HR as it is still same low quality with other slightly better label). Most banks won’t even care about those, somehow GS/Morgan HR’s need tick this off for any promotion, won’t even consider it as any value as you can easily cheat and outsource most assignments to copywriters like most ppl did. Professional qualification in other hand requires sacrifice doing everything all exams by yourself, what was/is challenge for expats not fluent in English. Have you wondered why some EDs having very weak education like me, barely know how to draft an emails and overall suck in communication (now you have an answer) not to mention being threaten by more skilled co-workers? - I don’t have Russel Group (UK)/Ivy business diploma – nothing further from this in fact, as I have graduated mediocre accounting major in one of Easter European uni, not even the most competitive major to start with, this doesn’t make sense hearing about top schools requirements at all. - My background by no means wasn’t FO,as I came from generic op. Firmops,CA experience, never been involved in actually sells pitching, direct clients interaction, not like most transfers to FO coming neither Risk or Research, Finance nor Markets exp - I’m not qualified – neither FCA, FRM, ACCA etc, in fact Analyst, Assoc. I supervise are 2x more technical superb than me, as far my +15 YOE middle/back office operational support goes. I have started ACCA but failed at 1 exam, started FCA but failed, so MBA with impossible to fail(100% successful rate) at West London was my way around, especially as they merged it with City Uni at final study what confused HR even more and giving other label for quality same school instead. - CHEAT TRICK there are MBAs and “MBAs”- I have completed the cheapest (budget limitation and language barrier) non-target (some called it Micky Mouse MBA) London’s MBA as typical those throw in meaningless CMI paper incl in price, both nb really cares but HR needs to tick this off – costed +£16k, which was later luckily merged with City Uni.The main requirement was pass basic IELTS test(some might laugh)not like in professional MBA programmes (GMAT) not to mentioning LSE and rest Russel’s Group requirements! Most of my colleagues @GS have graduated LSE etc (for £110k-140£k eMBA)however due to language, communication I was also forced to use extensive help copywriters(fiverr,gumtee lots of them to choose from) to pass final result. One of advantages MBA over restrict self-study qualification as many people and alumni was doing the same, due to work commitments or just pure laziness etc. MBAs are more restrictive due to their costs not level, as you won’t be banking expert after 1(18mths generic program), of course there are exemptions, not mine. - My communication skills although average at the best, I have never studied English language as my 1st foreign language, nor eastern accent luckily hasn’t impacted my chances. I know it is huge obstacle in other FS sectors at senior level. - Finally if I were representing a different gender, probably not meeting diversity targets (GS it is no surprise aims to influx % women giving us a bit blind eye, I wouldn’t stand a chance among male colleagues, with CFAs, LSEs etc) Overall I’m so grateful and happy that I can lead own team and set own targets as well recruit people suitable for business and my management own personal goals. Policy vs reality and discrimination (own interest above company's) “The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all qualified persons …including race, nationality, gender, religion and age.” Well dead policy, the reality is other way round. So much depends on people. I’m keep telling friends that in this business critical thinking is disadvantageous, there is no space for too old, too experienced candidates as they tend to create leaderships challenges and raising uncomfortable questions about sense and ways of doing things. Craftsmanship speed, accuracy are the most important in this role alongside soft skills managed ( at the end not the most knowledgeable or skilled got promoted!).I personally tend to recruit only young candidates, who are willing to make effort, work long hours and do not challenge supervisors causing unnecessary fractions. Why I would recruit sb you can possess a threat to my role in first place! The biggest GS problem is that there is no meritocracy. Having worked in IB for more than 15years, I’ve seen tremendous injustices in terms of promotions, pay, and culture. (deleted by the administrator) is now difference.HR tends to recruit mix of brilliant people, which we can divided into 2 categories: - superbly educated and mediocre ones too (mostly with bought MBAs, not even target, expensive ones, as we are seeing many random, non-name candidates).Being superb, CFA , Phd technical is a deep liability because you’re expected to stay quiet and just churn out work. - Administrators, corp. sliders based on bosses liking than skills. Conversely, the people who are incapable of producing quality work are assigned “softer jobs” such as going to meetings, presenting to higher ups, and eventually managing others. Sooner or later all the “smart” people end up reporting to people who don’t understand the business but are good at sucking up to their boss. Those mainly have MBAs, so they aren't experts at all from anything...if you think 1 yrs programme will make you a leader in banking you are irrational, especially without ground knowledge which only qualifications and even masters provides. I don’t have an axe to grind, and actually think this culture has helped my career. In fact it is a great place to learn and grow if you have luck to deal with 1st category! Provided exit opportunities (if you are not too old - age bias) Hedge Funds etc in my case.The common misconception is it is difficult not being sb protégé. Well, I was recruited by direct HR approach last year (typically for +VP grades) However, I can call myself very lucky as HR on-board me although: - I was disciplinary terminated, (deleted by the administrator) in 15’ focusing on the last employer instead, recommendation. Lucky this hasn’t impacted my screening, most banks perform much detailed checks further in history! - I'm 100% non-TARGET (Uni, MBAs, background etc)I have low (3.6/5.0)M.Sc. Marketing/Accounting of Eastern Europe non target even there, 2nd degree- but never finished back at home, started ACCA which failed after 1st exam, same goes to FCA etc. An obvious trick was do buy instead MBA(nb fails those!) the cheapest London’s MBA(100% pass rates+ CMI incl. for free) nb cares, West London at the end my programme which I had to extended, luckly merged with City Uni - what confused HR as it is still same low quality with other slightly better label). Most banks won’t even care about those, somehow GS/Morgan HR’s need tick this off for any promotion, won’t even consider it as any value as you can easily cheat and outsource most assignments to copywriters like most ppl did. Professional qualification in other hand requires sacrifice doing everything all exams by yourself, what was/is challenge for expats not fluent in English. Have you wondered why some EDs having very weak education like me, barely know how to draft an emails and overall suck in communication (now you have an answer) not to mention being threaten by more skilled co-workers? - I don’t have Russel Group (UK)/Ivy business diploma – nothing further from this in fact, as I have graduated mediocre accounting major in one of Easter European uni, not even the most competitive major to start with, this doesn’t make sense hearing about top schools requirements at all. - My background by no means wasn’t FO,as I came from generic op. Firmops,CA experience, never been involved in actually sells pitching, direct clients interaction, not like most transfers to FO coming neither Risk or Research, Finance nor Markets exp - I’m not qualified – neither FCA, FRM, ACCA etc, in fact Analyst, Assoc. I supervise are 2x more technical superb than me, as far my +15 YOE middle/back office operational support goes. I have started ACCA but failed at 1 exam, started FCA but failed, so MBA with impossible to fail(100% successful rate) at West London was my way around, especially as they merged it with City Uni at final study what confused HR even more and giving other label for quality same school instead. - CHEAT TRICK there are MBAs and “MBAs”- I have completed the cheapest (budget limitation and language barrier) non-target (some called it Micky Mouse MBA) London’s MBA as typical those throw in meaningless CMI paper incl in price, both nb really cares but HR needs to tick this off – costed +£16k, which was later luckily merged with City Uni.The main requirement was pass basic IELTS test(some might laugh)not like in professional MBA programmes (GMAT) not to mentioning LSE and rest Russel’s Group requirements! Most of my colleagues @GS have graduated LSE etc (for £110k-140£k eMBA)however due to language, communication I was also forced to use extensive help copywriters(fiverr,gumtee lots of them to choose from) to pass final result. One of advantages MBA over restrict self-study qualification as many people and alumni was doing the same, due to work commitments or just pure laziness etc. MBAs are more restrictive due to their costs not level, as you won’t be banking expert after 1(18mths generic program), of course there are exemptions, not mine. - My communication skills although average at the best, I have never studied English language as my 1st foreign language, nor eastern accent luckily hasn’t impacted my chances. I know it is huge obstacle in other FS sectors at senior level. - Finally if I were representing a different gender, probably not meeting diversity targets (GS it is no surprise aims to influx % women giving us a bit blind eye, I wouldn’t stand a chance among male colleagues, with CFAs, LSEs etc) Overall I’m so grateful and happy that I can lead own team and set own targets as well recruit people suitable for business and my management own personal goals. Policy vs reality and discrimination (own interest above company's) “The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all qualified persons …including race, nationality, gender, religion and age.” Well dead policy, the reality is other way round. So much depends on people. I’m keep telling friends that in this business critical thinking is disadvantageous, there is no space for too old, too experienced candidates as they tend to create leaderships challenges and raising uncomfortable questions about sense and ways of doing things. Craftsmanship speed, accuracy are the most important in this role alongside soft skills managed ( at the end not the most knowledgeable or skilled got promoted!).I personally tend to recruit only young candidates, who are willing to make effort, work long hours and do not challenge supervisors causing unnecessary fractions. Why I would recruit sb you can possess a threat to my role in first place! Ethics& Integrity: Neither GS nor my previous bank wouldn’t probably mind if I will admit that I’ve spent few years clamming council social housing benefits as well, living with my further family in their council flat and still work as Director(savings ‘000 in the process, just using loopholes).I simply used an opportunity as I was learnt doing at work and play the game. To summarize I’m not exactly a raw model for junior colleagues (sometimes) better qualified and technically skilled on the job than me, neither in terms of technicality nor especially ethics at all, but as they came to me and once you are in, who cares! All of the above are true and rather simple to check, so I hope HR is taking notes. Morgan's HR acknowledged that if they had known much earlier, they would have responded appropriately, as now…now it is yours and only yours problem, more details resurface with BofA being in loop too. In other words not only geniuses get ED roles but also like my case process masters as I was lucky to work on process in competitive bank they wanted. Only reason why HR so much lowered a threshold for me and fact I'm a women (as Goldman after lawsuit and paying $215m compensation tries so much to get more women into front office roles)...Read More

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

Best working culture with multiple opportunities to learn and excel in organisations

Dislikes

No work life balance and long working hours

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

Culture Flexible hours in need Excellence is expected Not people dependent

Dislikes

Money Bell curve and manager dependent even though there is 360 degree feedback

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

Great Work culture with minimal pressure.

Dislikes

Employee Benefits are very less

Likes

Culture of respect to each other. Learning and excellence

Dislikes

Work life balance Pay is same as other firms, but workload is much higher. Poor headcount management

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

Tech Stack, Learning Opportunities, although it entirely depends on the division you are assigned.

Dislikes

Work-Life Balance, Salary increments are very erratic, political issues arise sometimes.

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

Best place to learn and immerse yourself in true corporate culture. Focuses heavily on skill development and equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in your career. Environment challenges you to push your limits, thrive under pressure and adapt to high stakes situations, ultimately making you job-ready for any role in the industry.

Dislikes

Job security is something lacking and favoritism occasionally influenced opportunities. Environment could feel highly controlled, making it difficult to speak and express opinions openly. Expectation to participate in all formal and informal team gatherings, which could sometimes feel obligatory rather than optional.

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Strict Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

Overall exposure, flat-hierarchy, connect with global teams, promotions, resources and space to fix things even if you're a junior

Dislikes

Absolutely no work-life balance Dictatorship style of management followed in certain teams Compulsory work from office everyday Less job-security

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Strict Timings)

Work related travel: This job involves Travel Within City.

Likes

I like the culture of working at Goldman. Here everybody is treated equally and equal opportunities are provided to employees.

Dislikes

I would love to take up more opportunities/ responsibilities. Here at Goldman there are enormous work pressure and I dislike this which impact one to balance work-life and personal life.

Likes

The work culture is good and

Dislikes

No transparency in appraisal and promotion. They try to keep the fear of job security on for all. LGBT is prompted a lot and being a part of these category helps with your growth.

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

The learning that you get from the firm as it's competitive

Dislikes

They say there is only 50,000 employees worldwide but in reality the work is not done by them, it's done by contractual workers who get treated badly with no proper training and is always the scale goat when something goes wrong

Likes

Learning and compensation

Dislikes

Zero work life balance, 10 hour shift mandatory and everyday people extend. You will get sick more often working here. they will not let you or your family, close associates trade in markets they make you close the demat account. Everything becomes compliance issue here. You feel there is no freedom.

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday

Likes

You get to work with some great knowledgeable people.

Dislikes

1. Work life balance is horrible. 2. In trading face teams. You also need to be on support on rotation based which needs lots focus than development projects. It really destroyed ability to switch from support / development/ innovation. 3. Zero technology innovation. You learn no new skills.

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)

Work related travel: This job involves Travel Within City.

Likes

Mobility options if you have the generic skillsets and good networking. Office amenities like transportation, seating arrangement. Cultural events, wellness sessions etc.

Dislikes

Everyday office, no work life balance, super critical issues throughout the year, no shutdown, no leadership support, no transparency, no onsite opportunities.