Is it appropriate to ask for an earlier start date?

A few weeks ago I finalized my paperwork (background check, tax forms etc.) for my IBD start date in July. I graduate this December and due to personal reasons (loans, apartment & expenses) I'm looking to start early. On my contract it clearly indicates a July start date.

Would it be appropriate to casually reach out and ask HR about an earlier start date? Like maybe February or March? How taboo is this and what are my chances? I don't want to seem "desperate" or "crazy", but if there was a possibility to do this, I would genuinely go for it. For those responses, please don't tell me to enjoy my last 6 months of freedom because it's unfortunately not an option.

Thanks a lot guys

 
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Don't do this. You have six months of freedom. Use them wisely. Go backpacking, learn a new language, take some interesting classes, get good at golf, learn an instrument, etc.

Thanks for reading the post *eyeroll*

I did read your post, but specifically ignored the last part. It's great that you want to start early, and that drive will surely serve you well as an analyst, but you would most certainly regret the decision. If you can afford to do any of the things I mentioned, do them. If not, do as you suggested in a later post and work a "regular" job. Maybe do something like work a minimum wage job during the week and spend the weekends relaxing. Trust me, you will never have this opportunity again. Good luck.

 
Best Response

Reach out subtly ("I'm graduating now and if you have openings for an off cycle spot I'd be interested in discussing it with you because I'm already living in NYC..." or something along those lines-not "I'm fucked and need cash.") and see what they say but I thought most of the time IB's want you to go through training and have already slotted you in a class. I doubt it will hurt but I wouldn't count on it unless they happen to have a current opening that they want a non-lateral, non-experienced grad for.

If it doesn't work try to get a job waiting tables or bartending to get you through 6 months. Or if you have programming or some other technical skills that you can get a contract position that pays well go for that but if not go for the least intellectually demanding and highest possible comp thing like waiting tables/bartending to get you through. I wouldn't go for some dumb temp job in an office because you probably won't make more than waiting tables in a decent restaurant and you'll be stuck 9-5'ing it for a mindless job. I was in a similar position when I graduated-no money and a job 8 months after graduation, but it was in a different city so I could either stay where I was with rent and expenses and a bartending job or move and try to get by for that time somehow. I chose bartending in the city I was located, drinking too much, having as much random sex and fun as possible and chilling out for 7 months.

 

If you ask in an appropriate way the worst they can do is say no. I will say though that traditionally larger banks start their entire class at the same time so they can go through a 4 to 6 week formal training program together. You likely wouldn't do this one off on you own which will impact your ability to get up the learning curve (although starting 6 months earlier you'll be well ahead by the time people start).

 

do you guys think there is a possibility given an early start date , that I could also go through training in the summer with the class? Starting to think that it's unwise to stir the pot. Perhaps I'll "bite the bullet" and do a regular job for 6 months..

 

BB's do accommodate earlier start dates, as there will likely be analysts in your class who are in your same position. Ask for a start date in January. They will often grant this, but sometimes they might make you wait until March. But definitely bring it up with HR. Also, if PE recruiting is on your radar, the extra six months of experience could be very helpful as it'll possibly give you the chance to see a deal through from start to finish. EB's, however, almost never allow you to start early.

Dicking around or walking around Lower Slobovia for six months is fine if that's your thing, but if you're flat-ass broke you might not have that option. You might use it for GMAT prep, a part-time internship at a small HF, or whatever else you need to do to get by while at the same time investing in your future.

 

Go travel somewhere inexpensive but cool. There's ways to do it nearly free to - check out: workaway.info, couchsurfing, etc... I know you've got a financial burden to face but the opportunities to do something like this are few and far between. If you're smart enough to get into IB I'm sure you could figure out a way to make it happen.

I took 3 months and did just this and couldn't have been happier. PM me if you have questions.

 

I've definitely seen it done at the associate level and see no reason it couldn't be done at the analyst level. Just call whoever your point of contact in recruiting was and explain the situation and see what they say. The worst thing that happens is the answer is no, they aren't going to revoke your offer or anything. And generally speaking, even if you do this, you still do training with your class when they start, although you may also be on deals and have to balance that, which others won't have to do.

 

if you want to.

They know you haven't had training, but they could certainly use the help, so they will guide you along. It will give you a big jump on all of the other analysts.

Also (and maybe most importantly) you should get a bigger bonus at the end of the year than everyone else because you worked more. (Make sure therefore that you are not on a fixed stub bonus plan, and if so that HR bumps up your number for starting early)

That being said, you are getting ready to give up your life, so think long and hard about giving up the last few months of freedom.

I would go travel or something.

But if you want to do it, there are no professional disadvantages to starting early.

 

i personally would be weary of starting early. i would guess the main reason they want you early is because they are are busy and understaffed. this means there will not be additional time for people to help you with complicated tasks => you get to spend 100% of your time on the most menial, basic tasks i.e. comps, profiling.

there will also be no other early starters around to remind your associate how useless and error prone interns/first years are.

you're by no means guaranteed a bigger end of year bonus meaning you might effectively be on 1/2 to 2/3 pay.

go and do something fun like lying on a beach for a couple of months.

 

It seems to be that people comment on their friend’s experience (past posts on subject), but has anyone gone through the process themselves?

If you could do modeling and you’re able to do all tasks can you skip training?

Was your bonus pro-rated?

I know people say don’t start early and just travel. But I’m sick of living of my parents and want to be financially independent.

For nonan80 I would start early, just due to financial reasons.

 

A few thoughts.

  1. How badly do you need the $? Is your family cool continuing (you said you were finishing school) to support you/do you have enough savings to continue not earning money while you spend a bunch traveling? (This is rhetorical, but obviously very important to consider.)

  2. Six months is a long time - is it either zero or six months? How about two or three? Still plenty of time to travel to anywhere and everywhere you want, but not so much time that you'll feel like you're being too unproductive.

  3. DEFINITELY DO IT. Traveling is a beautiful thing, and especially so when you're in between jobs. If you work in a high-intensity shop, even paid time off doesn't really feel like time off.

www.assessre.com
 

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