Goldman Sachs Re-Envisions Global Talent Search
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
Providing A Fresh Perspective On Recruiting (and Retaining) The World’s Best & Brightest
Situation
Goldman Sachs has always prided itself on attracting the world’s best and brightest to its ranks. As recruiting and retention pressures started to mount, Goldman Sachs invited Peacock Nine to help them understand (1) how the top 2% of students from the most esteemed universities around the globe perceived Goldman Sachs and firms in their consideration set, (2) these students’ expectations, plans, and aspirations for their career trajectories, and (3) how Goldman Sachs might adapt and pivot to best leverage its unique advantages and overcome its vulnerabilities in order to recapture their position as elite students’ employer of choice—and retain their talents for the long-haul.
Opportunity
Helping Goldman Sachs get the greatest return on its two most valuable assets— its people and reputation.
Solution
LISTEN & LEARN — We conducted one-on-one interviews with Goldman Sachs’ key leaders, recruiters and HR marketers to get a lay of the land. We then recruited 160 of the most accomplished students from most esteemed universities around the world (e.g. Oxford, Princeton, Sienna, Sorbonne, Peking University, Stanford, University of Tokyo, etc.) and conducted eight, anonymous, virtual discussion groups via Peacock Nine’s proprietary Hot Potato® technology—-each 3 days in duration. Initial qualitative findings were then validated, debunked and expanded quantitatively via a globally fielded online survey and Peacock Nine’s associative strategy tool, BACON®.
THINK — Our team distilled the key insights and provided the Goldman Sachs team with a clear understanding of —
the Goldman team’s perspective, assumptions and biases
elite students’ career mindset and differences by market, year of study, etc.
Goldman Sachs’ perceived strengths and weaknesses it light of its new, expanded competitive set
Key strategic considerations and a recommended path forward
DO — In collaboration with the Goldman Sachs team, we helped facilitate the invention of new initiatives specifically designed to help differentiate Goldman Sachs from its competitors and recommended ongoing measures to help them assess their progress and remain on strategy and on track.
Timing: 6 months