BlackRock reviews

> 5-point rating system - where "Strongly Performed" is the center rating, and there are 2 more ratings above - "Outperformed" and "Strongly Outperformed". Makes people who perform strongly, feel average. Of course, it could be argued that it drives strong staff to work even harder (as there are 2 more grades to "attain"). Or perhaps its similar to "tall... and taller" when referring to short and tall people. My take is that "Outperformed" should already indicate a potential promotion candidate -- and "Strongly Outperformed" should not exist - as these people should already have been promoted (i.e. the concept of outperforming an outperformer feels... weird)? > Very specialist roles / high demands even at Analyst / Associate levels leading to low mobility at those levels - an "Associate" would already be expected to know all related technical & financial knowledge regarding the process (and 30-40% of people having 5-10 years experience) - at a minimum, people need to be a VP to even consider mobility into another team to learn something different. Changing teams would literally be resetting the clock (as you would not have the knowledge). Also, imagine trying to compete with people with 5-10yrs experience for promotion... even if you have the same no. of years, you'd just be on par. You'd need very special reasons / projects to get ahead - and not many of these are available due to the highly specialized teams (which mainly focus on their part of the process). > Although availability of knowledge is listed as a "Pro" above, in terms of working-level knowledge, these are recorded in procedure documents that are confusing to the new joiner, or not recorded at all. Although the process I am in is highly variable in terms of its product / country mix and the steps are very granular, the same products / countries are generally handled through the same checking points / steps (and should be listed down lest a detail is missed and downstream impacts occur).

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.