Societe Generale? like, something, director, position

JGovender

Hello,
I may have something coming pretty soon with this firm (a director position) Can someone share some insights? Basically, I am curious to find out:

1. Corporate Culture?
More like GS? MS? JPM? DB? C? BAC?

2. Hours on average
9? 10? 11? 12? hrs a day?

3. Colleagues
More like GS (bright and aggressive)? Or???

4. Comp
What's the composition of the comp? Also, what would be the growth rate to expect?

Thank you.

torontoanalyst

Hello,

I have been working in SG in New York.
I am French I dont know about american banks but Corporate culture may be different.

Traders work from 8:30 AM to 7 PM. Sales may start early in the morning if they have British customers but they usually leave at 5PM. I was working as a trading assistant from 9:30 to 7PM or later. However it depends on which desk you are working.

Colleagues were not aggressive (it does not mean they are not bright !)

I cant tell about compensation cause people do not talk a lot about it (French culture).

maratikus

Thanks a lot! Sorry I don't mean to say that aggressivenesss translates into being bright. My apology for creating such an impression.
What is the overall title structure? Is it common to have a title such as director or VP? How does the performance review? (360 degree?)
Also I am wondering how the career development is conducted/mentored?
Apologize for so many questions. Just want to get an non-HR view on these.

pimpineasy

I was just kidding about the "bright" part. ;-)

I stayed there only 8 months as an intern. I dont know about performance review and career development.
However I am pretty sure than Director title is not common. VP title looks to me more common (most of the traders and sales were VP, one was Director).

Windjam

I'm not from Soc Gen, but I deal with them regularly. It seems like half of their NY staff is imported from France. Some of the girls are quite pretty. Also, the sales people I know definitely stay until after 5 PM... so I guess it depends on the desk. No idea about compensation, but is there any reason why it would not be comparable to other companies? Most people are not directors. VP and associates are quite common.

That's my superficial outsider view, anyway.

ruchita

Thank you.

Since this is a French bank and I've never worked for a French bank in US before, I would like to find out more about it before I make my decision. Over the past few years, I feel corporate culture dictates a lot on whether you like the firm or not. Although individual areas may vary, the overall firm's strategy and vision may eventually direct your career progression.

I hope there are more insights from this forum.

jmh530

Just a post to people in this forum ... taking this job is one of the worst decisions I've made in my career ... actually, the only one so far ...

The firm is for French people or people who speak French. When it comes to cut, if you're in Paris office, no matter how retarded you are, you're safe ...

I am still holding on this job but I think I will move on when the tide turns ... hope it's not going to take long ...

DSquaredSlim

Might have something to do with the Euro crisis. Soc Gen is not coming through so well...

mar350

Well the CEO was just out and about saying they weren't that exposed to the periphery. OP could have just been referring to other factors, such as the pro-French bias.

laurab

Glad to hear that they are still hiring. Bullish?