Why Bessemer Trust: Interviews, Careers, & Portfolio

Bessemer Trust Overview

Bessemer Trust is an independent and privately owned multifamily office which provides investment advice and wealth management to high networth families, including their endowments and foundations.

The firm’s services include tax planning, estate planning, insurance advisory, family company advisory, philanthropic advisory, and real estate advisory.

The executive management team of Bessemer Trust oversees the assets of the firm.

Bessemer Trust was established way back in 1907 to operate as the family office for Henry Phipps – Carnegie Steel’s business partner. As of writing, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the firm is Stuart S. Janney III, the great-grandson of Henry Phipps.

The firm is based in New York and has a total of 18 regional offices in Boston, Los Angeles, and more.

Bessemer Trust AUM

According to the official website of Bessemer Trust, the firm has more than $200 BB in assets under management.

Bessemer Trust Interview Process & Questions

Firms normally make changes in their interview process for each candidate as they see fit. However, you can expect the following if you interview at Bessemer Trust or a firm like it:

• Interview process will consist of five rounds, more or less
• The initial rounds will be supervised by either the HR team or junior investment professionals, while the later rounds will be handled by more senior folks
• Questions will be a mixture of fit, behavioral, and technical / investing 

The entire process can take several weeks – unless it is “on-cycle” or “on-campus” recruiting.

My Growth Equity Interview Guide can help you prepare for such interviews. Feel free to check it out.

Why Bessemer Trust

Interviewers almost always ask candidates this question: “Why this firm?”

To avoid generic answers, it’s a good move to mention the professional at their firm whom you’ve connected with during your networking activities. Say that the stories they shared with you about their experience and professional growth at the firm inspired you to send your application.

Also, take the time to research the firm. One of the ways to do this is to listen to interviews with the firm’s founders, investors, and management team.

For example, here’s an interview with Rebecca Patterson, Bessemer Trust Chief Investment Officer:

Bessemer Trust Case Study

Firms like to gauge the level of communication skills and technical knowledge of candidates. They use case studies to assess these traits during the interview process so make sure to prepare for it.

Most case studies at firms like Bessemer Trust require candidates to provide investment recommendations and perform financial modeling. However, expect cold calling case study to be included as well if you’re applying for junior roles.

Learn more about case studies inside my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Bessemer Trust Salary & Compensation

According to Glassdoor, the median total pay for analysts and associates at Bessemer Trust are $146K and $177K per year, respectively. Salaries can change depending on location, experience, education, and other factors.

Analyst

Associate

Bessemer Trust Careers, Jobs, & Internships

To what investing roles Bessemer Trust are currently hiring for, check out our job board where we feature great opportunities for them and other growth/VC firms.

Bessemer Trust Portfolio & Investments

According to Crunchbase, Bessemer Trust has made four investments across two funds. Some of their notable deals include GTS Central Europe, StorageApps, and MeetChina.com.

Notable Transaction: Glynn Capital Management

Glynn Capital Management is a growth asset management firm in Silicon Valley.

This firm invests early in public companies which enter new markets with proprietary services or products. Glynn Capital Management built relationships with some of well-known businesses today such as Amazon, Intuit, and Electronic Arts.

In July 2000, Bessemer Trust agreed to acquire a 25% ownership stake in Glynn Capital Management.

The specific terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed.

Donald Herrema, President and CEO of Bessemer, said that they strongly believe in the information revolution, hence, the acquisition of Glynn Capital.

Next Steps

Bessemer Trust is one of the well-established firms and definitely a great place to build an investing career. That said, you can expect a tight competition for their open roles.

If you want to increase your chances of getting selected during the interview process, check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide. It explains in great detail the concepts that typically show up during interviews – case studies, financial modeling, and more.

Get the course and start learning today!