To the people who work downtown:

irrationalexuberance — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:11:17 -0400

If you work in the Financial District:

1. Where do you live?
2. How much is your rent?
3. Describe your commute.
4. Given a chance, where would you live now (if not the same)? Why?
5. How did you find your place?
6. Living in Brooklyn or Jersey City vs. Manhattan?
7. What would you change about your apartment search if you had to do it again?

Thanks for the help.

I need to find a place in 4 weeks

irrationalexuberance — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:51:13 -0400

I start in downtown in just under 4 weeks, and I need a place! Have I waited too long to look? My housing goals: minimize cost and maximize value. I will live anywhere as long as the commute isn't over an hour and the area crime-riddled.

Anyone looking for a sublet or know of any openings?

Please help me!

Mediocre til now, how do I get to Top 10 MBA?

irrationalexuberance — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:03:02 -0400

I went to the flagship campus of a mediocre state school in the Northeast and did well, rather average graduating with regular honors. My ECs were not that great, not many significant leadership roles. I never built great relationships with my professors. I was not a varsity athlete or anything. I did not have long term volunteering roles over the period I was there.

Nevertheless, I got a job in a structured finance role at a Big 4 in NYC that I'll start later this year. I hope to leverage that into a role on the bank side or into a structured finance hedge fund to bolster my B-School application.

Prospective Banker to Prospective S&T?

irrationalexuberance — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:58:15 -0500

I interviewed for SA in banking but I potentially have an opportunity to interview for a full time slot on a BB desk within FICC. I'm unsure whether its a trading or sales position.

My concern is that although I'm primarily interested and have prepared for interviews in banking, this seems like too good of an opportunity to not explore further. Do I have any shot considering I'd have a short time horizon to prepare in? How different are S&T interviews from banking interviews? Also, are trading interviews distinct from sales interviews? I'd have to guess yes, as the skill sets and functions are different and distinct.

Consulting Middle Office to IB

irrationalexuberance — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 00:34:17 -0500

How well-regarded would a position in the performance monitoring area of a top 25 consulting firm be for a top MBA program?

Pitches/Beauty Pageants

irrationalexuberance — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 02:25:18 -0500

I'm assuming most bankers on here are at the analyst and asociate level. It seems to me that generally pitches are done by MDs flanked by a VP, with maybe an associate also. How accurate is that assessment?

Also, what are pitch meetings like, when the bank is meeting with the company in question? Who does the most talking, the MD or his subordinate(s)? It seems to me that the analyst or associate would know the most about any valuation models and comps since he/she was the one who did the analysis.

Prospective Analyst Resumes

irrationalexuberance — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:39:09 -0400

Is it appropriate for prospective analysts to have an objective statement included in their resumes? Is it advantageous or potentially harmful?

Given the choice, which is better to have on a resume, an objective section or an 'interests' section where space for only one is available?

Bain Capital

irrationalexuberance — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 21:54:40 -0400

I've managed to get an interview with Bain Capital, although it is in their middle/back office. Is their anyway I could lateral over to a front office role after a certain amount of time?

In NYC for today, how can I maximize it networking-wise?

irrationalexuberance — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 04:42:11 -0400

I'm thinking resume thumping on Wall & Broad, walking into MS' amd Lehman's offices in Midtown and the others in Lower Manhattan, and approaching well dressed but harried looking young gentlemen with Canalis and Savile Rows.

I'd love aunthentic banker input.

Leveraged Finance in I-Banking

irrationalexuberance — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 23:13:47 -0400

What activities is leveraged finance comprised of in investment banks? Is it a front office role? Is it part of transactional advisory (M&A) or underwriting or something else?

What roles do leveraged finance analysts play? What do they do on a day to day basis? I'm speaking with someone from this area, so I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks.