Overview
Introduction
Jefferies is a highly respected financial institution with industry-leading investment banking and capital markets units. It's been named one of the "World’s Most Admired Companies" by Fortune, and it's very focused on diversity and inclusion. It has active networking groups for employees of Asian heritage, Black and Latino employees, LGBTQ+ individuals, and veterans.
Company Stats
Employer Type
Size
Featured Rankings
Major Office Locations
Employment Contact
Vault Verdict
Note: The firm did not participate in our 2022 Banking Survey; all employee reviews are from our surveys in previous years.
A top investment bank when it comes to prestige, Jefferies has been growing in size and reputation in recent years. The firm has hired many well-respected senior bankers away from other firms, and continues to hire top-notch junior bankers.
As for whom Jefferies looks to hire at a more junior level, the firm wants self-starters willing to take on responsibility who can think strategically and anticipate upcoming events. The firm also wants candidates to know why they specifically want to work for Jefferies. Internships are said to be very g...
About the Company
New York-based Jefferies Financial Group (widely known as Jefferies) is an independent securities and investment banking firm that was founded more than 50 years ago. Today, it employs 3,885 people in over 30 cities worldwide. It operates through five main units: investment banking, sales and trading, research, asset management, and wealth management.
Jefferies’ investment banking services include M&A advisory, capital raising, debt, equity and equity-linked financing, recapitalization and restructuring solutions, fairness opinions, and corporate advisory services. Jefferies’ sales and trading business offers trade execution and liquidity, and trades equity, convertible, high-yield, investment-grade fixed income, and commodity-linked financial products; the unit also provides wealth management, correspondent services, ...
Employee Reviews
- “Senior bankers in my group don’t create unnecessary work. This might be specific to the restructuring group and not of the entire I-bank division. Also, bankers in my group understand if personal events come up and you need to take a leave, which I appreciate. Additionally, there’s a good banter among the bankers, as people tend to joke around a lot, which makes work interesting.”
- “Seeking a career as an investment banker requires making a conscious decision to give up work/life balance for a few years. Jefferies is no different in terms of demands on personal time. However, I have enjoyed the relationships I’ve built to date with other members of the healthcare investment banking team, which has helped to make the extended time spent in the office enjoyable.”
- “The worst aspect from a ‘quality of life’ perspective is that work can be extremely stressful at times. The sales and trading environment is one where large risks are taken on a daily basis, and that sometimes causes people to act in ways that you would not generally see in a normal social setting. For individuals that can barely handle the stress of school, I would say that sales and trading is not for them. That said, the positives vastly outweigh the negatives. First and foremost, the people at Jefferies are its greatest asset—I have never been in a room with so many interesting, intelligent people as when I started at Jefferies. On a more superficial note, our upper management is very good about scheduling firm events with clients, and on numerous occasions they have ordered food for the whole trading floor. Lastly, while work can be extremely busy, there can also be quite a bit of down time (especially Friday afternoons) and it’s very fun to get to talk to coworkers when things are a little more calm.”
- “Even at the analyst level, there’s an open-door policy. We work hard, but people aren’t unreasonable with the hours or workload. In my 10 months here, I haven’t felt like anyone has just created work unnecessarily. If the analysts are working late on something, many times the associates and VPs are working right alongside the analysts to review or provide feedback. There’s also a strong emphasis on being able to easily approach supervisors with any concerns. I strongly believe the quality of life and culture at Jefferies is significantly better than most firms across the Street. I had the same perception as an intern and I was worried that it might have just been a facade coming back full time, but that hasn’t been the case at all. The firm works hard to make it a great place to work and it’s been very evident in my time at the firm.”
Getting Hired Here
- “HR takes a reaaaaaally long time to get back. My process took several months from my first interview until the last one. Associates and up must meet with the head of the investment bank.”
- “Standard interview process. First rounds are either in person or phone, then final rounds are in person at the office. Candidates are told either way within the next week or so. We’re looking for someone who is, of course, smart, but also has a great personality. Not just someone who is antisocial. Again, fit is very important for us.”
- “Self starter who is willing to step up and take ownership. We look for people that want to own projects, think strategically about how to move them forward, and anticipate upcoming events and needs.”
Perks & Benefits