"I can't stand interns who __________"
Pretty self-explanatory: just looking for traits/habits/characteristics of interns that really piss you off and might preclude them from getting a FT offer.
Pretty self-explanatory: just looking for traits/habits/characteristics of interns that really piss you off and might preclude them from getting a FT offer.
+84 | GF doesn’t care about her looks | 49 | 20h | |
+55 | Affair with my Associate… In Desperate Need for Advice | 23 | 12h | |
+43 | How to sound more eloquent? | 17 | 26m | |
+39 | Insurance as High Finance? | 10 | 2d | |
+38 | 400k/year in HVAC sales? | 26 | 1d | |
+33 | Would you rather live alone in an outer borough or with roommates in Manhattan? | 23 | 2d | |
+28 | WSO Ranking On Resume??? | 6 | 14h | |
+27 | Why do people listen to Jim Cramer Investing Advice? | 10 | 15h | |
+26 | Is my boss gaslighting me? | 3 | 14h | |
+25 | Carnivore Diet | 9 | 15h |
Career Resources
Smack their gum.
... have attitude.
I understand you're smart, but please cut the sass and eye rolls. I know we give you menial tasks, but it's a part of the job.
Really? You get a number of interns with an attitude? That's pretty surprising. I'd think that even if they were arrogant -- which I'm sure a bunch of 'em are -- they'd at least be able to hide and fake it for the summer.
Not a number. It's just top-of-mind as I am currently dealing with one. He's probably mentioned that he is a part of MENSA 5+ times this summer too.
He will be receiving a return offer for reasons outside of my control.
Play fortnite on their computer using a video game controller rather than the superior mouse and keyboard
I'm an intern and I do this. Is my career over already?
>rather than the superior mouse and keyboard
They're never gonna learn those all important Fortnite keyboard shortcuts if you continue to let them use their mouse
I dislike interns who are obsequious and do not understand boundaries. Yes, it is important to demonstrate a good attitude and try to establish a working relationship. No, it is not necessary to try to forcefully and awkwardly bond with me during your few weeks here. This includes straining to engage me in conversation when I clearly don't want to converse, and just generally trying too hard. We will not build a meaningful personal relationship in your limited time here getting up to speed. But, if you're one of these try-hards, you will leave me with a bad taste in my mouth due to your surprising lack of self-awareness, and I will not be your fan when it's roundtable time.
Yeah, honestly, that's a fine-line to walk for us college kids -- trying to be social, but not coming off as too desperate/trying too hard. I guess you have to know how to read the room, and just let it come naturally.
...ask me a question, then interrupt me as soon as they think they know the answer so they can show me that they know.
I really enjoy the teaching and mentorship part of the job. I like it when people come to me with questions, and they leave my office slightly more capable than when they entered it. I am not, as a rule, impressed with your knowledge base, and I don't expect to be. I really, really don't like being interrupted, especially when I'm taking the time to answer a question that you asked me.
Ask, listen, learn, say thanks.
Ha. Again, I see where you're coming from, and the internship... sometimes we "kids" don't have enough self-awareness to realize what can be annoying... hearing the perspective from the other side is super helpful.
Idk why you got shit on for this, you’re definitely right, it’s a tough line to walk.
I've caught myself doing this a few times. I'll ask my analyst a question, and then realize that I actually know the answer, and just blurt it out as he's explaining it. This is good feedback.
Have seen a BB banker infuriated by this. And the one asking him the question then interrupting him, she ended up crying after being scolded.
deleted
Who asks the same shit twice. Please interns, take notes, for fuck sake. When you ask me the third time, I'm gonna call you out on the floor and tell you take notes and people will hear me.
Just a weird/logistical question... do some interns actually type your info. into their phones while you give it to them? Or do just expect/assume they'll write it down later? Just wondering if it's weird for intern to be walking around with notebook/typing into phone while talking to you. It makes sense to do so... just wondering if some actually write down the info. while you're dispensing it.
wondering same thing as well
Its not weird to walk around with a notebook. Will look better than typing into a phone, since it will look like you're texting.
You should always have a notebook and be taking notes. There’s no way you’ll remember it all. Senior bankers have notebooks and take notes.
I don’t suggest using your phone for notes. It gives the perception you’re doing something else.
... Treat me like the fucking search feature on Google.
+1. lol
Love the username
www.lmgtfy.com is probably the most amazing feature for idiots like that. Always nice to see stupid faces once you send them a link of the likes
Today there was a meeting with our director to review a deck that was put together by one of the analysts. There was a spelling/syntax mistake that I saw but I wasn't going to point that out in front of the director. Just made a note to let him know after the meeting ... until our team's intern decided to point it out in front of everyone. The director didn't take too kindly to it either, because on the next slide he asked the intern "hey, you want to use your HP 12C to double check the math?" which got some laughs from the room.
Interns: don't throw your peers under the bus
The intern probably didn’t realize he was ratting on another intern; he was likely just so excited to be “useful” that he couldn’t wait to score some points.
Agree. It's an internal meeting, it's nothing personal. If calculations would off, it would be another question, but just some formatting and spelling is something that can happen and is worth correcting and pointing out.
watch the world cup without me.. jk my interns are awesome haven't had any issues..
Whoa, you sound like a good guy to work for... gotta get in your department.
exist
Use the mouse in Excel...
A combo of mouse and keyboard isn't bad
Thanks for the info, chief. Maybe I should have clarified that I meant primarily using the mouse to navigate Excel. Maybe that should be a given. Maybe being clear and precise in a not serious thread on WSO isn't everyone's top priority.
Definitely for chart formatting menu / quick switching tabs.. there are other good examples of course. But there was another intern at my firm that was using the mouse to select ranges / arrays, right clicking with the mouse, even clicking copy and paste and all the paste specials (which he barely knew about). I don't think he knew where the alt key was or had a quick ribbon. It was painful to watch. His technical skills were absolute ass overall even in week 9
...Over promise and under deliver.
Don't "Excessively" stack your to-do list so high that you begin faltering on your deliverables and pushing other people's deadlines. Understand what a human can accomplish in 24 hours, and staff yourself accordingly. You will be better off at the end of your internship with a small group of people in the office thinking you were instrumental to their team, as opposed to everyone thinking you were overstretched and underperforming.
Aren't professional.
I'm mentoring a few interns and wanted to meet with them to go over their ideas for one of their intern challenges, asked the leader to set up a meeting with everyone. I'm expecting a normal meeting, in a meeting room (who would've thought eh?), this hippie goes and decides that we should have it on the small grass area in front of the HQ - Why on Earth would that be a good idea?
Had the 'xoxo' sign off from one.
And the crème de la crème, one had a small task to do and in the email wrote "I think it's a bit rubbish, but will it do?" ............ are you serious? No it wasn't an important task at all but you're an intern and that's a terrible attitude, why would you ever think submitting something you think is rubbish is a good idea?
I liked your post, but thought it was a bit rubbish.
Appreciate the feedback, will keep it in mind
My intern practices LIFO pretty religiously.
Ha. I wonder if you coined that term for the lazy worker.
Hate it when interns take a lap around the office every day at like 11pm to ask for work because they feel guilty going home while the analysts are still there. Please don't bother me - if I needed something at this hour you would be the first to know
First day of my internship: you do not leave until you asked everybody for work everyday before leaving :D
Wait -- so is it good or bad to ask people for work? Seems like it would be better to ask, as long as you don't repeatedly ask the same person.
Eh, I actually appreciate this and generally tell the interns to do it. No reason they need to be here all night just because I am, but they do need to be willing to help out and not leave if we need them. 9 times out of 10 I'll tell them to go home. But occasionally it'll occur to me it'll help me out when they come and ask.
Explain shit to other interns that I just explained to them when I know they haven't fully understood it or practiced enough. Hate that. I would love it if interns could help each other and teach each other because it makes my life easier and makes them learn better but they can ONLY do that when they have proven they have fully understood it. More often then not they 'teach' something 3-4 hours after having heard it for the first time and not having fully understood it.
Have 3.9 GPAs. No social skills or experience with failure...
Real meta, love it.
Seconded
..
1 - who try to argue the point when I tell them that something is their job, not something for them to try to delegate back to me. I learned how to pull equity research before you were born, I know how, so the whole point of the exercise is for you to learn the skill. 2 - who think that they know how to do my job because "I looked on Google and didn't find it" 3 - who think they're somehow helping me out by mentioning the sources in the report they're looking for an update on, which they've conveniently attached to the email. Yes, I know how to read the sources cited, but thanks!
...rude and lazy... (what a combination :( )
Can't do a single pushup. One kid I''m working with can't do a single pushup, pretty funny to watch him try
Wtf? If you can't do a single pushup, that should be grounds for no offer
If you can't do a single push up, that should be grounds to seek immediate medical help :D
At networking events, cornering senior bankers and trying to force extended conversation. In a 2 hour session, you should not expect nor try for hour long conversations with any single person. You’re also missing the point, which is to meet a broader group of people.
...fidget throughout long meetings. I get that it isn’t the most exciting topic for you, but constantly shifting, yawning and biting your nails shows you have the attention span of a goldfish
Don't own their actions, can't say please/thank you.
The best are the ones that react like they are peeking in from a parallel universe through a hole in space-time when mistakes get pointed out. I'm not advocating "crawl and beg for mercy" but in the same time some degree of "oh yea my bad" wouldn't kill you. Lately I have seen this go hand in hand with a level of entitlement. It's all that Instagram culture I tell ya'. pulls out a can of LaCroix
Don't jump the chain of command. You have an issue? Deal with the person first. Then and only then do you go above them. Going above the head of your direct superior is a great way to not get a return offer.
Couldn’t help but chime in on this one because interns and grad rotation people the past couple of months are hurting our desk.
Very basic- interrupting me or colleagues near to my desk with basic questions that can be answered via google or investopedia. Conveys nothing but laziness and lack of initiative. My pet hate. We have some bright quant people this summer but they are one trick ponies - have no clue how to source quality info or self learn at all. Also hipster quants eating porridge at 10am and taking 15mins to brew their fancy tea.
Patience exercise at the moment.
Intern tip: Don't try to sell analysts xanax/vyvanse/other
(unless we ask for it!)
Not too many details needed. Seemed like he sold drugs casually to friends to pick up extra cash. He was unpaid and working in a middle office function. He also only listed his PF GPA excluding freshman fall on his resume which is hilarious
If this actually happened we need details
who ask questions then look at me/behave as if i was explaining my job to someone in a bar/ my auntie who is just trying to get a vague idea of what i am doing...
.. are trying to blame someone else for their mistakes.
There is an intern here that spends all the time complaining or huffing and puffing. Really, I can't stand this way of behaving.. It seems that she does the work of 10000 ppl while actually she is simply a back office lady, to say the least
Inventore et ullam facere et. Voluptas occaecati amet cumque magnam maxime praesentium ut cupiditate. Impedit eaque minima et natus odit. Qui natus aut consequatur alias eos enim velit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Corrupti ut minima accusantium nisi exercitationem quia reprehenderit nostrum. Nisi et qui voluptatem.
In rerum numquam ipsum ullam voluptas ea amet. Sapiente vitae nemo quia minima consequuntur illum suscipit porro.
Sint vero enim itaque natus distinctio corrupti sit magni. Molestias vitae cupiditate quaerat enim quia sapiente. Error aut quam dolore voluptate quia consectetur. Autem ut architecto doloremque non a. Sit voluptates autem facilis ut.
Nihil corrupti possimus autem molestias. Placeat qui cumque totam impedit. Recusandae maiores ut voluptatum expedita itaque aut et. Ut est necessitatibus recusandae non consequuntur blanditiis deserunt quia.
Ut reiciendis architecto ut aliquam. Itaque officia commodi quam commodi mollitia molestiae dolor. Numquam non non exercitationem excepturi eos. Quo dolor amet minus suscipit minus ullam. Delectus et placeat est in ea cupiditate sed. Animi animi dolores non voluptatibus praesentium eligendi. Facilis qui nisi quia.
Nihil et harum aliquam soluta fugit omnis dolorum voluptate. Tenetur et dolorum quia voluptatem occaecati occaecati omnis. Aut sit quis aut.