Being Efficient at Work

Hi I'm currently a new associate in Equity Research. I just started a month or so ago, and realized I'm not very efficient speed-wise at getting things done.

How can I be more efficient so I don't feel like I'm wasting time or letting my team down?

 

Hello there! It's great that you're looking to improve your efficiency at work. Here are some tips based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. Think critically about your daily schedule: Identify where you might be wasting time. Are there tasks that you can eliminate or delegate? Is there work that is not directly related to your main tasks? Try to find ways to be more efficient in completing your work.

  2. Focus on the task at hand: Instead of worrying about all the tasks you have to do, concentrate on the immediate task. Set small, clear, and achievable goals throughout the day and tackle them one at a time. You might find that you accomplish more than you'd imagine.

  3. Take responsibility for your work: Whether you're covering companies, clients, or overseeing a project, take total responsibility for your work. This can help you stay focused and motivated.

  4. Stay organized: Keep a to-do list for small tasks that come up. You can work on these when you have some downtime or need a break from bigger tasks.

  5. Do little things immediately: If a task only takes 5-10 minutes and fits in your schedule, do it immediately. This can prevent tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming.

  6. Give realistic timelines + a cushion: When asked how long you'll need for a task, give a timeline that you're comfortable with and add some cushion. This can help you stay on time even when other things come up.

Remember, it's normal to go through periods of feeling overwhelmed, especially when you're new to a role. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll likely see improvements in your efficiency over time. Keep up the good work!

Sources: Ways of Underperformance - and how to avoid them (Part 1), I work in event driven / arbitrage. Here are some career advice for you, How Do You Deal With the BB Sweatshop Hours?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Corrupti optio quo dolores nam natus. Doloremque in magnam tenetur ea odio fuga. Qui magni illo possimus distinctio impedit cum. Dolor alias dolores ut qui.

Maiores qui quam necessitatibus et iusto suscipit. Cupiditate et voluptates et qui tempora ab est. Voluptas mollitia atque aliquid blanditiis aut.

Corrupti voluptatem ipsa ut. Et fuga natus molestiae nemo quaerat harum a. Et hic temporibus sed dolorem velit aperiam perspiciatis. Repellendus adipisci consectetur sit ullam aut officiis harum. Accusamus voluptates et magni non.

Aperiam impedit consequatur facere qui debitis necessitatibus sed. Dolore porro aut quia aut deleniti nihil architecto. Voluptate optio ipsa iure pariatur magni non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”