Pros
Big Name and Brand. Easy to attract strong talents for hire due to Brand name. Knowledge is everywhere. So much talents in the company or been to this company that a lot of documentations are left inside but need to be found. Easier to access knowledge and information than other traditional firms. Office is clean and nice looking. Pantry is fine, not great but usable with free coffee.
Cons
Compensation: Lower than market average compensation. Only the top notch or sales get the pie. Don't try to paint an image that Blackrock is great and can pay a lot. Tend to play with your bonus, it's seriously sad. 3 quarters of high performance, and the quarter before salary review/Bonus, they will be in 'hardship'. You go figure that out. Some graduate analysts and pets of managers will yell you otherwise. Playing of Favorism is obvious here. Management: Toxic management. Of course, this is dependent on the team or manager you work for. But in general, they are a traditional typical company that cares only for new blood. There were some MDs who told me directly that older workers are tainted papers and graduate analysts are fresh new paper. Again, you go figure how management is. Culture: Diversity, Equality and Inclusive! Yes it's branding is amazing! No Black or Asian discrimination! No Age and handicap or LGBT discrimination! Everything on the surface is amazing! Running of company wide events, articles, posters everywhere. But people who truly touch their heart and not sugar coating or superficial will be able to tell you what the reality is. Yes, diversity is true. gender and race are statistically managed. Equality and inclusiveness are otherwise. Yes, you get discriminated (obviously in untold manner). No bullies in the world will think they are bullying. And yes, sometimes they admit it in your face, even asking you back "so what if I'm doing this, what can you do? who will believe you?". Often in a take it or leave it situation. One even told me once "There are others out there happy to take your job". There are some people who might be suspicious of what I'm saying. But for someone who worked for almost 10 years here, every single words are heartfelt. The experience is real. Why didn't I quit during that period? Because I love my colleagues who suffered the same with me. People work hard here, it's no joke. Not a single ex-colleague including myself who left did not have a better career and live. Most I've known have gotten better in every way. Please detect for flags and think twice before committing your life to Blackrock. For learning, it's great. For career, ensure you are either a graduate analyst or an amazing bootlicker. It's not for the authentic and faithful.