Reading various threads GS seems to be praised a lot and talked about.What is so good about GS.They use to be really good but now the gap between GS and other banks is decreasing.GS were really good for M&A. Reading threads others have mentioned they are where every trader wants to go and the quant team is difficult to get into. Are other places not as good. Why is GS trading the most sought after. Just the salary, other bulge bracket banks pay the same amount.How difficult is it to get into GS anyway. I ask as am interested in applying to the firm but not worthwhile if is way too difficult to get in.

Can't say for trading, but FICC strategist was pretty tough. 3 rounds of interviews, talked to at least 30 people.

And after all that did you get in? I know at least half a dozen guys who have had several rounds with this group, met half of the bank and still not made it, I also know at least one guy who has been through this twice and not made it both times.

GS are very hard to get into, work you to the ground and you are expected to be gratefully; hence why I like to say "everyone thinks they want to work for GS". They are, simply, the best at what they do, and that's literally across the board. In general terms, there is no name better on the CV, again why I think an internship is better than work there because you don't suffer for long.

QuoteThey [GS] are, simply, the best at what they do, and that's literally across the board.I'm curious, what do you base this view on?

as it was explained to me by an ex-GS guy this morning: That senior management agreed to even do an IPO says it all.things have changed, and my current think is that GS is a bit like McKinsey

I dont understand what drives people to work on the sell side. Maybe the money, but that can be good on the buy side, too. Plus, to me it seems sell side is the bitch side. You are always someones bitch. Even at senior level, you still have to creep up your client's butt. Who is the client? He is on the buy side. I once witnessed how one of our portfolio mgrs tore apart a delegation from Lehman's mortgage reasearch group. It was really embarassing. But the Lehman guys had to suck it up, with tears in their eyes. I felt bad for them.

People work on the sell side often because they have fewer choices.The other thing you see is that being smart is not enough at most firms. Bonuses are at least 50% driven by the fear of you leaving. If this means you take customers with you, it will push up money.