Describing AlphaSights and Associate Role

What would I be doing as a Client Services Associate?

As an associate on our Client Service Team, you'll act as the connection point between our clients and industry experts. Your role is to focus on clients' knowledge gaps and identify experts who can address their needs. Once you identify the right expert, you'll connect them to your client for a one-on-one conversation (where the expert is providing market insight, industry expertise, and execution support to your client), so the client can make more informed business decisions.

SF segment and project work

Currently, 2 of our 4 main client segments are in our SF office: Consulting and Private Equity,. Due to our proximity to Silicon Valley, you may find more tech-related projects coming across your desk in your day to day work.

What is the difference between AlphaSights and your competitors? Who are your competitors?

ENS providers are our main competitors, but we categorize AlphaSights as an information services firm. The traditional expert network model is to build out a network of advisors that can be tapped into for clients. Instead, the AlphaSights approach is to focus on tailored knowledge search, meaning we first understand our clients' needs and custom source and vet the precise advisors for that specific project, whether or not they already exist within our network. Other ENS services tend to let advisors self-select into client projects, whereas AlphaSights vets each advisor to make sure their expertise is right for the specific client project.

What is AlphaSights?

Formal: AlphaSights is a global professional services firm and a leader in knowledge search. We connect our clients, who are decision-makers including those from investment management, private equity firms, consultancies, and corporate companies, with industry experts that will help them make more informed and competitive business decisions.

Where do you see AlphaSights in the next five years?

Growth is the key word, and we plan to do so in a number of ways. 1) First comes business growth. We are considered a high growth company (only 2-3% of firms are considered as such), which means that we are growing at a rate of 20% or more, year over year (for context - the average business only grows at a rate of 3% per year!). This means that we'll be doubled in size in 5 years - meaning an Associate who joins us this summer, would contribute to our growth from 700 to 1,400+ people worldwide. 2) Furthermore, we aim to continue to take market share from competitors by providing the best service in the space. We're also developing new products that our clients need, always aligning with our core mission of connecting the world's thinking to drive better decisions.

Office size and culture (NY vs. SF)

Our NY office was founded in 2011 & currently sits at ~400 employees. Our SF office was founded in late 2015, and currently sits at ~40. Most of what makes the SF environment 'unique' relative to New York is our ability to run more office-wide events & collaboration opportunities due to our smaller size. Here you'll partake in Monthly Office-Wide Lunches, Learning Events, Social & Wellness events. We pride ourselves in our very tight-knit, collegial client relationships that drive our growth & new ideas around services and new ways of partnering together. Outside of office differences, it's important to consider and explore the differences between the two cities that you'd be living in; they differ vastly and appeal to individuals for different reasons - and it's important to ensure you choose the city you'll enjoy spending your time in most when you're not working!

How long do people typically stay with AlphaSights? What is the turnover?

Our attrition rates are similar to other professional services firms. Typically, more than 80% of associates stay for 18 months or more, and 50% of associates are promoted or pivot to another internal role within 24-30 months, reflecting our desire to elevate from within and provide paths for people to build a long-term career here. We expect all new hires to complete the 24-30 month Associate program, but if they do not, we encourage them to transition at the right time for the right reasons. This is why we have built an in-house Career Services function, to help our employees find and negotiate their best next opportunity whenever they choose to move on. Our alumni go on to join some of the world's leading companies or pursue further study at top graduate schools.

Who are your clients?

Our four main client segments include consulting, private equity, capital markets and corporations. We also have a Knowledge for Good segment that delivers our core services to social impact partners, such as impact investment firms and non-profits. As an associate, you'd be placed in one of the four main client segments, but can get involved with KFG as a volunteer over time.

What don't you like about your job?

Use a truthful but positive example. Some ideas include: A. sometimes there are too many overlapping projects to complete, so I need to lean on my team for help. B. It's a client service role, and we serve demanding clients with ever changing needs.

What is the culture like at AlphaSights? (NY specific)

We also have many perks including subsidized lunch in office 3 days a week, Friday Beers, and in-office yoga every Monday.

What is the culture like at AlphaSights? (SF specific)

We are relationship-drivers - with our clients & internally w/ our colleagues across teams & offices. We pride ourselves in leveraging our strong relationships to work smarter, & incubate new ideas that can be applied to other parts of the business. We have many perks including breakfast & coffee daily, monthly wellness, learning, & social events, and a flexible work policy. [For more information on the work policy, direct candidate to their recruiter].

How does AlphaSights make money?

We generate revenue by setting up interactions between clients and advisors. Our clients pay us, and as an AlphaSights Associate, you negotiate the rate at which the advisor is compensated, thus controlling the margin and generating money for the firm.

What is the culture like at AlphaSights? (General)

We're a high-performing, dynamic team that works hard. We celebrate that hard work with a great sense of community. In addition to office-wide social events like our summer and holiday parties, our employees can get involved with sports teams, monthly team events, and affinity groups like WIN and Charity House. [We highly encourage you to get specific here and share particular memories to ensure we stand out from many other companies who promote a 'great culture']

I'm interested in both the NY and SF offices. Can I apply to both, and how do I decide which will be the best fit?

We're glad to hear that you are interested in both our NY and SF offices. You're welcome to submit applications for either office (or both!) but please note, that come your first round interview, we will ask you to indicate your top preference so that we can ensure that you are completing further rounds of interviews in the appropriate office and meeting the appropriate teams for consideration. There are a few differences between the offices for you to note:

What skills do you develop in the Associate program?

You will develop transferable skills as well as a generalist understanding of the business world. The associate program will equip you with commercial acumen, confident business communication across industry and level, results-led research skills, project management skills, sales and negotiation skills, time management, and effective teaming, just to name a few.