Discovering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships with UWE Bristol, get free advice >>

This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Goldman Sachs - What makes it so special?

Hey guys,

Can anyone please give me some ideas on what differentiates Goldman Sachs from any other major players?
I m doing my app form for summer internship and am kinda stuck at that part. I tried google but couldnt find anything interesting.

Will appreciate any help.

Thnx

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Né Stig

The fact that its one of the biggest investment banks in the world!

They are one of two companies who gross the most profit when it comes to major aquisitions of other companies.
They're also (which is an understatement) elitest to the hilt. But then I guess others would be as well.

Reply 2

angelx

walshie

Well, I cant say I want to work for GS because ur one of the biggest :smile:

but anyway thnx, the later part of ur reply was helpful

Reply 3

Né Stig

Well if you did work there, be prepared or even forced to like Americans. Even the women who think they have a point to prove and are all on power trips.
Not saying I dislike Americans by the way!!!

Reply 4

angelx

walshie

Well if you did work there, be prepared or even forced to like Americans. Even the women who think they have a point to prove and are all on power trips.
Not saying I dislike Americans by the way!!!

LOL,if i get in I will pretty much like everyone there

Reply 5

ssmoose

There big stake holders have bundles of dosh. 200million ish if you beleive what the rich lists say.

Reply 6

President_Ben

walshie

The fact that its one of the biggest investment banks in the world!

Define big. Generally, they are not seen as 'big'. Their balance sheet is pretty small compared to other banks (like Citi, DB, UBS, JPM) because GS is a 'pure' IB.

[quote]They are one of two companies who gross the most profit when it comes to major aquisitions of other companies.

Private equity? I'd of thought KKR et al would be better than GS. Private equity is a small but profitable business anyway which might not be the one applied to.

They're also (which is an understatement) elitest to the hilt. But then I guess others would be as well.

Hmm... not sure. But I can see where you are coming from.

Reply 7

President_Ben

angelx

Can anyone please give me some ideas on what differentiates Goldman Sachs from any other major players?

Err... define major players.

They define themselves differently from many IBs by their business model - but they see their primary competition as those IBs with the same business model. At that point, it is the strength is different divisions and the structure of divisions (GS has done some restructuring lately between the market side and the advisory side).

There are some 'culture' differences. If you ever watch the GS video, you'll see what they really bang on and on about.

--------------

angelx

Well, I cant say I want to work for GS because ur one of the biggest :smile:

but anyway thnx, the later part of ur reply was helpful

Well, if GS was one of the biggest, it could form a reason why you want to work for them. Being big comes with advantages.

Reply 8

sixthirtythree

They are very very sparkly and full of very amazing people.

And very sparkly. And very nice people.

And shiny. Like, super-super-people. And focused. And sooo efficient. I could worship their revenue charts - it's hard to believe they can accomplish so much with barely over 20,000 employees - like how?

*GS love*

Reply 9

synaesthesia

Megsy

The ultimate mark of GS is that it converted Megsy to IB :p:

Reply 10

JonnyB

Because they work. Very hard. My brother used to leave the house at 7am and come back at 2:30am.

Reply 11

President_Ben

JonnyB

Because they work. Very hard. My brother used to leave the house at 7am and come back at 2:30am.

Not uncommon for IBD across the industry.

synaesthesia

The ultimate mark of GS is that it converted Megsy to IB :p:

She'd of converted over time anyway. I'm pretty sure of it.

Reply 12

Né Stig

JonnyB

Because they work. Very hard. My brother used to leave the house at 7am and come back at 2:30am.

Depends what your brother was doing. Where was he based by the way - and I mean which office? GS main London HQ was pretty much dead apart from the security from around 8pm. The odd person still persevered until targets are met or they feel they've made enough of a bonus for the quarter to justify leaving lol.
Stockbrokers where out of there by 6pm every day at the latest. Ok, so they got their early, but much of their day was based on analzing rather than trading.

GS is big in terms of IB. Period.
And elitest is definitely unquestionable.

Reply 13

JonnyB

walshie

Depends what your brother was doing. Where was he based by the way - and I mean which office?

I'd go and ask him to come up and type what he did, but he'd tell me to **** off. He doesn't work there anymore anyway, things may have changed - I doubt it though.

Reply 14

sixthirtythree

President_Ben

She'd of converted over time anyway. I'm pretty sure of it.

Especially if say, a particular European IB wants to sponsor me...

*insert plug*

:love:

UBS, I love you! (the whole GS love thing is just a lie to get you jealous...)

Reply 15

President_Ben

Megsy

Especially if say, a particular European IB wants to sponsor me...

*insert plug*

:love:

UBS, I love you! (the whole GS love thing is just a lie to get you jealous...)

You're still a long way from securing sponsorship yet you know - it's only been application stage :smile:

What is the case study like this year?

Reply 16

sixthirtythree

President_Ben

You're still a long way from securing sponsorship yet you know - it's only been application stage :smile:

What is the case study like this year?

I can live in hope :p:

Case study - are you sure you're not thinking of the ML Challenge?

Anyway, UBS: Very nice questions!

1. How should quality of life be measured?
2. "The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits" (Milton Friedman). Discuss.
3. Is there any role for protectionist trade policies?

Reply 17

President_Ben

Megsy

I can live in hope :p:

Last year, UBS sent people a case study type thing to do after the application stage. Now it's a few Economics questions... lovely!

I know ML is a case study. It is such a huge waste of collective time and effort too :smile:

Which industries are available to choose from? (assuming it is similar to last year)

1 can be very tricky what with a variety of indicators and an increasing amount of evidence you see from econometrics studies that challenge the conventional wisdoms. 2 is fairly straight forward. 3 is a case of finding a nice and advanced textbook to examine when protectionist trade policy can work - and work well.

Reply 18

sixthirtythree

President_Ben

I know ML is a case study. It is such a huge waste of collective time and effort too :smile:

Which industries are available to choose from? (assuming it is similar to last year)

Energy, luxury goods, pharma, real estate, insurance. We're doing energy! I've put together the best team in Oxford. It's gonna be supeeerb.

Reply 19

President_Ben

Megsy

Energy, luxury goods, pharma, real estate, insurance. We're doing energy!

All different from last year - but with 37 recognised sectors, that's not a surprise really.

Real estate and insurance though - think they'll be the least popular. Luxury goods and energy on the other hand are likely to be very popular.

I've put together the best team in Oxford. It's gonna be supeeerb.