Pros
This will be the first time I’ve written a review for AlphaSights (despite what many Glassdoor writers seem to believe). I am writing this to give my honest view of the firm and a lens to the New Graduates considering AlphaSights. I joined AS a long time ago and have seen its many evolutions. Broadly speaking, a few things have changed (We have definitely professionalized) but everything is always changing with the goal to improve our client offering and talent proposition. Additionally, the opportunities AlphaSights employees have now after leaving are far superior than my opportunities many years ago. If you are reading this, I would encourage you to really ask yourself - what do you want your early career to look like? Careers are often measured in 5-10 year increments 2-year experiences don’t even make it onto a CEO CV. Look at any very tenured Executive; normally, their first role won’t be listed. If you want to grow a real career with high-end clients and high-caliber peers then AlphaSights is great. If you want to optimize for lifestyle flexibility (working remotely from Bora Bora), please do that. That said, in 10 years when you are considering having children will that career be one that elevated you into your thirties? Or will someone else sitting next to you at college who wanted to shoot the lights out be the one checking off major goals that you desire? Most entry-level roles will have a degree of monotony (Excel, PPT, Emailing, cold calling, etc…). This is why they are entry-level and relative to the org structure the lowest compensated. We continuously invest to make ours better both from a support and compensation perspective. The Pros of AlphaSights that I have observed are as follows - Our offering is best in class - AlphaSights consistently raises compensation based on feedback - The Employees and clients are high caliber - you form amazing relationships - Our Exit Opportunities and alumni keep getting better - the top AS Associates, Managers, VPs, land pretty amazing jobs. We have placed people in the top B Schools, put people on the client side in great roles, and had a few very successful startup founders cut their teeth at good ol 350 Madison (or 229 W 43rd). - AS continues to evolve for the better - we are taking feedback changing each part of org. Unlike our peers, we want to evolve and hopefully you do too. - Private Ownership is nice - Third Bridge has Private Equity causing issues and GLG is saddled with debt - let alone some of the other players. Being owner operated gives you more flexibility and chances to improve. - Results are valued - if you push and you create outcomes (beyond just our compensation system) it really will make you stand out.
Cons
The Expert Network industry is still evolving into its comfort zone with the reality that we are crucially important to our client's process and it is time-consuming. AlphaSights has always been at the front of this problem and trying to improve it. Like anyone, AlphaSights makes mistakes but we own it and try to improve it. Interview and prepare really good questions, I guarantee you the VP/ Manager will be honest about anything you want. The Associate role has high expectations but we believe we compensate fairly (other reviews point the numbers out) and we do aim to be the best. You also have some great peers next to you trying to help. Client Facing Roles are tough - you face rejection from experts and clients but if you can brush that off you will be great. Despite what reviews say, we are very transparent about performance management and the vast majority of people do very well here. Managers/VPs/SVP+ are very accessible at all times (they sit on the floor with you) and want you to succeed. If you want to build a great career in a client-facing role where you drive your results - I would recommend AlphaSights.