Hi everyone,
I’m interviewing for JPMorgan’s investment banking analyst program and trying to decide whether to rank the generalist pool as my top preference. How does the placement process work in reality? Do generalists get meaningful exposure across groups or is it more of a holding pattern until they get slotted somewhere?
Thanks for any insights"!
Great question and congrats on reaching the interview stage! 😊
From what I’ve seen, the generalist pool at J.P. Morgan can be a smart option if you are not fully set on one group yet. It gives you time to explore and build connections before placement.
You usually get placed after a few weeks, based on your preferences and where teams need people. There is some exposure across groups, but it is not a formal rotation, more like networking plus short project work, if the timing lines up.
I know people who used the generalist phase to land in great teams by being proactive. Others found it a bit slower, so it depends on how you use the time.
If you want flexibility and are open to learning across areas, generalist can work really well. Just make sure to stay visible and engaged early on.
The generalist pool at JPMorgan can be a great option if you're still figuring out your fit. You typically get exposure to 2–3 groups in your first year, often through short rotations or project-based staffing. It’s not just a holding pattern, top performers often get more say in final placement.
That said, some groups pre-select candidates, so ranking a specific team first (if you’re sure about it) can increase your chances of landing there directly. If you’re open-minded and want broad exposure, generalist is a solid choice.
