Overview
Introduction
William Blair is a leading investment bank headquartered in Chicago with offices in 20 cities on four continents. The firm’s interns receive a phenomenal learning experience, working on live deals alongside senior bankers and clients. Full-time junior bankers get many mentorship opportunities and valuable trainings, and there's a clear path to becoming a partner.
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Vault Verdict
William Blair is looking for smart, motivated, well-rounded, humble candidates with solid academic records and strong technical, communication, and social skills. For students, the firm runs a very rewarding internship program. Interns have access to great training, deal experience, and social networking events. Hours can be long, though. Meanwhile, the firm’s full-time junior bankers have access to numerous career development opportunities, including extensive technical training, a mentorship culture that fosters senior bankers guiding junior bankers, clear promotion tracks, and the ability to transfer between departments.
Although hours can be long for analysts and associates (like at most investments banks), senior bankers at William Blair are very respectful ...
About the Company
William Blair is a global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. It is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in more than 20 cities on four continents. The firm helps corporations, financial sponsors, and owner/entrepreneurs around the world achieve their growth, liquidity, and financing objectives. Since the beginning of 2018, the firm has completed more than 1,400 transactions for clients totaling $700 billion in transaction value. Today, its research group covers more than 700 companies.
William Blair is consistently rated a top place to work in the financial services industry. In 2023, among its many honors, it was named a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune. And in 2022, four of its deals were recognized at Mergers & Acquisitions’ annual Middle Market Deal...
Employee Reviews
“In my experience, people are very respectful of your time. Protected Saturdays are strictly adhered to (has to be critical work to happen on a Saturday), which makes the job so much better. Knowing that you are fully off on a Saturday is huge for mental wellbeing. Vacation is highly encouraged and people are required to take 100 percent of their vacation days. VPs work hard to make sure that analysts and associates are fully unplugged when they are on vacation, only plugging in when it is absolutely unavoidable. Day to day, our office has established a culture of exercising in the evenings, and occasional week night social plans are fully accepted, assuming people are getting their work done.”
“The firm does a good job at trying to create an environment where balance is highlighted and encouraged, but the reality is that this job just does not really allow for that to take place. That said, I have found that when people are out of the office on official vacations, the teams do their best to allow them to really be out of office.”
“Family-oriented culture. The team I work on has a good understanding of other commitments outside of work and respects those commitments while ensuring work product quality is maintained.”
“I really enjoy working at Blair. Obviously, sometimes the hours or nature of analyst work is less than ideal, but I don’t view that as firm-specific. Overall, I generally think Blair values your personal life more than most firms, and I am satisfied overall with my work/life balance.”
Getting Hired Here
“My firm seeks candidates that are well-rounded and will fit the culture of the organization. They are looking for not only super smart and technically skilled individuals but also individuals who are dynamic and will be able to adapt, learn, and grow with the firm.”
“Looking for hardworking well-rounded candidates who are accomplished academically and professionally. They should also absolutely be well-equipped socially.”
“Looking for well-rounded candidates who are accomplished academically and professionally. They should also absolutely be well-equipped socially.”
“Culture fit is really important. At the end of the day, many candidates ‘ace’ the technical section, so it really is about finding the right fit.”
Perks & Benefits