Jefferies Interview Process: Rounds, Timeline & Compensation
Michael King, PE Investment Manager ·
Jefferies runs an online application with a psychometric/HireVue-style video screen, then a first-round interview (roughly 30 minutes, virtual, mixing behavioural fit with core technical questions) with an Analyst or Associate, followed by a Superday of three to six back-to-back 20-30 minute interviews spanning Associate to Managing Director level; summer analyst Superdays typically add a standalone ~60-minute modelling exercise.. In the UK, the Investment Banking Analyst Programme runs on a rolling basis with applications typically closing in late January for an August start, so early application matters more than a hard deadline; interviews and Superdays are scheduled as slots fill, and offer calls commonly follow within 24-48 hours of the Superday, occasionally same-day. The separate US on-cycle summer process for the following year's class starts far earlier and compresses into days once headhunter calls begin — a dynamic that doesn't apply to UK/European off-cycle hiring, which stays spread across the recruiting season. In London, first-year analyst base runs roughly £65k-£75k, with total comp (including bonus) commonly cited around £95k-£145k — broadly in line with the bulge-bracket peer set, with some self-reported packages running higher in strong years. The New York benchmark sits meaningfully above that, with base around $110k (matching the Street-wide first-year standard) and all-in total comp commonly cited in the $150k-$220k+ range; Jefferies' bonuses are widely described on forums as competitive with, or occasionally above, bulge-bracket peers, which the firm has used to build market share.
Interview rounds
An online application with a psychometric/HireVue-style video screen, then a first-round interview (roughly 30 minutes, virtual, mixing behavioural fit with core technical questions) with an Analyst or Associate, followed by a Superday of three to six back-to-back 20-30 minute interviews spanning Associate to Managing Director level; summer analyst Superdays typically add a standalone ~60-minute modelling exercise.
Typical timeline
In the UK, the Investment Banking Analyst Programme runs on a rolling basis with applications typically closing in late January for an August start, so early application matters more than a hard deadline; interviews and Superdays are scheduled as slots fill, and offer calls commonly follow within 24-48 hours of the Superday, occasionally same-day. The separate US on-cycle summer process for the following year's class starts far earlier and compresses into days once headhunter calls begin — a dynamic that doesn't apply to UK/European off-cycle hiring, which stays spread across the recruiting season.
Compensation range
In London, first-year analyst base runs roughly £65k-£75k, with total comp (including bonus) commonly cited around £95k-£145k — broadly in line with the bulge-bracket peer set, with some self-reported packages running higher in strong years. The New York benchmark sits meaningfully above that, with base around $110k (matching the Street-wide first-year standard) and all-in total comp commonly cited in the $150k-$220k+ range; Jefferies' bonuses are widely described on forums as competitive with, or occasionally above, bulge-bracket peers, which the firm has used to build market share.
Notes
Jefferies sits awkwardly between 'bulge bracket' and 'elite boutique' — it's an independent, publicly traded full-service bank with S&T and research alongside advisory, but with smaller analyst classes than the true bulge brackets, meaning more deal exposure (and more hours) per junior. It expanded aggressively in Europe after Credit Suisse's 2023 collapse, picking up bankers and market share, so expect questions that probe genuine interest in the platform rather than treating it as a bulge-bracket backup option.
Frequently asked questions
How many interview rounds does Jefferies run?
An online application with a psychometric/HireVue-style video screen, then a first-round interview (roughly 30 minutes, virtual, mixing behavioural fit with core technical questions) with an Analyst or Associate, followed by a Superday of three to six back-to-back 20-30 minute interviews spanning Associate to Managing Director level; summer analyst Superdays typically add a standalone ~60-minute modelling exercise.
How long does the Jefferies interview process take?
In the UK, the Investment Banking Analyst Programme runs on a rolling basis with applications typically closing in late January for an August start, so early application matters more than a hard deadline; interviews and Superdays are scheduled as slots fill, and offer calls commonly follow within 24-48 hours of the Superday, occasionally same-day. The separate US on-cycle summer process for the following year's class starts far earlier and compresses into days once headhunter calls begin — a dynamic that doesn't apply to UK/European off-cycle hiring, which stays spread across the recruiting season.
What does Jefferies pay first-year hires?
In London, first-year analyst base runs roughly £65k-£75k, with total comp (including bonus) commonly cited around £95k-£145k — broadly in line with the bulge-bracket peer set, with some self-reported packages running higher in strong years. The New York benchmark sits meaningfully above that, with base around $110k (matching the Street-wide first-year standard) and all-in total comp commonly cited in the $150k-$220k+ range; Jefferies' bonuses are widely described on forums as competitive with, or occasionally above, bulge-bracket peers, which the firm has used to build market share.