I interviewed in 2023. The recruitment process was in several stages, including a financial modeling test. After completing all of them, I was surprised by how unprofessional the final steps were. The HR representative was dismissive and extended an offer that matched my current salary, despite the time and effort I had invested. They also stated that if I did not disclose my current salary, my application would not be processed.
She told me I should feel "honored" to have the chance to join S&P, given their large pool of talented candidates. Initially, they offered the minimum wage for my country (think Southeast Asia, but not Singapore). She claimed the workload would not be heavy, which was questionable given that the role involved cross-border M&A and Project Finance work, where accounting treatments and fiscal schemes can vary significantly between jurisdictions.
The offer was a gross amount, inclusive of insurance and benefits, with “unlimited” paid time off. However, as the first analyst in a newly formed regional team, there was no clarity on when such leave could realistically be taken. When I asked about the base salary, I was told it was confidential. The entire process felt opaque and questionable.
I tried to follow up with the hiring team but received no response. The team structure was also concerning. They were hiring only one analyst to cover an entire region, supported by just one director and one team leader, with no analysts currently in place.