Overview
Introduction
Harris Williams is an investment bank based in Virginia that specializes in merger and acquisition advisory. It’s been named “Merger and Acquisition Mid-Market Investment Bank of the Year” and “Investment Banking Firm of the Year” by Mergers and Acquisitions. The firm’s excellent internship program gives interns live-deal experience and exposure to senior management. Its culture is collaborative and open—the firm is very focused on diversity recruiting and mentorship, and has substantial D&I programs.
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Vault Verdict
Harris Williams is ideally looking for intellectually curious, confident, driven, diligent, organized, personable, hardworking candidates with strong technical skills. The firm’s internship program gets rave reviews. Harris Williams’ two-week Boot Camp program offers rising college seniors hands-on simulated deal experience, giving interns a clear picture of the kind of work full-time analysts perform throughout the deal process. Harris Williams also offers traditional summer analyst and associate internships during which interns get live-deal experiences.
For its full-time junior bankers, Harris Williams offers valuable formal and informal training and mentoring programs, along with an “analyst-to-associate” program in which analysts are promoted to ...
About the Company
Harris Williams is an M&A advisor with offices in Boston, Cleveland, Frankfurt, London, Minneapolis, Richmond, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The firm advises clients worldwide on the sale of their companies, helps them identify growth opportunities for their businesses, and enables them to realize their investments. Since the firm's founding three decades ago, M&A advisory has been its hallmark.
The firm regularly wins awards and honors from top industry publications. In 2021, it was named Global PE Investment Bank of the Year and Outstanding M&A Investment Bank by Global M&A Network. In 2020, Harris Williams was named Outstanding M&A Advisory Firm by Global M&A Network. In 2019, the firm was named Global Private Equity Investment Bank of the Year and Americas Pr...
Employee Reviews
“Harris Williams places a strong emphasis on efficiency and doesn't force unnecessary work on analysts simply for the sake of working. Your time is respected, and if you get all your work done, the firm has no problem with analysts finding time to workout, go to an appointment, etc. On the other hand, hours can get really long, and analysts are expected to be available to work seven days a week if necessary. We do not have protected Saturdays. We get one protected weekend a quarter and one protected week a year.”
“Quality of life is generally good. Junior staff can set their own schedules on the weekends, and during the week they typically go home by 7 p.m. and then work from home for the night. I almost never get emails from senior folks on the weekends. The level of M&A activity is unevenly distributed, and if you're not heavily staffed, then nobody will hold it against you for going offline at 5 p.m. On the flip side, 2021 had a record amount of volume that pushed the firm to its limits in terms of staffing, and there is a limited amount of vacation—one protected week per year.”
“Best aspects are how supportive and understanding they are when you need a break or have been working extremely hard. They recognize your work as an analyst, and make you feel valued and appreciated. There are no truly bad aspects of the quality of life, but the hours can be extensive—working until 3 a.m. for a week straight and things like that. But you’re not truly working that whole time. You need to be on call, though.”
“The firm makes every effort to enhance culture across the bank. Each group has a unique culture and engages in activities/team-building events often (happy hours, fishing trips, etc.). Deal teams are understanding that you have a life outside of work and encourage taking time to exercise and run errands as long as you get your work done. In the evenings, it's okay for junior bankers to go home and finish the nights remotely. However, the firm has started catering dinners for analysts and associates once a week to encourage camaraderie and building relationships across groups. I'd argue that we have the best culture out of all the banks.”
Why Work Here
Harris Williams is a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services. We are ambitious in our goals and steadfast in the belief that clients deserve our very best. To achieve our highest aspiration, we invest in world-class, team-oriented individuals who are smart, driven, and principled – those who are eager to be part of something bigger than themselves. When you join Harris Williams, you are welcomed into a collegial environment where every individual has the opportunity to make an impact in a powerful and significant way. We invite you to learn more about careers at Harris Williams.
Getting Hired Here
“The recruiting process consisted of networking calls, followed by an in-person networking event, then a first-round technical/behavioral interview via a phone call, then a Super Day, which is in-person and consists of a strategic case study followed by a debrief with a senior banker. Super Day also includes a technical/behavioral interview and a coffee/lunch with first-year analysts. Ideal candidate is intellectually curious, confident, driven, tenacious, and willing to work long hours. Firm is flexible in hiring people with non-banking backgrounds.”
“Harris Williams looks for candidates with strong technical skills, but more importantly, Harris Williams looks for those who are diligent, organized, sociable, and intellectual.”
“Ideal candidate is well-rounded, personable, driven, intellectually curious, down-to-earth, and interested in M&A and getting exposure to private equity clients.”
“I think the biggest piece is a cultural fit. It seems like we are willing to take a smart candidate who may have a slightly lower GPA but who is a great cultural fit for the firm. At the end of the day, HW wants people to go to work enjoying those they work with.”
