seek out increased responsibility. it is a great way to differentiate yourself from others, especially if your compensation is based on your ranking among peers.
understand what you're getting into. If you expect to work on the weekends it isn't nearly as painful if you are hoping to get out or hoping to get some sleep.
don't get your hopes up and always be prepared for more than you thought you could handle.
in short: understand what you're getting into and set your expectations appropriately and you'll be in a much better mood.
Are 100 hour weeks common? I can see doing 80 hours most of the time, but doing 100 hours means you have no time to do anything but sleep and travel to and from the office.
From my experience, while 100 hour work weeks do happen, I would say that 80 to 90 is probably more par for the course. You can count on at least 70 in the slowest of weeks.
The hours are terrible, but you tend to get accustomed to the routine. You'll find that you basically work from 9am to 12am, with somedays leaving at 10pm and some at 2am. But when the work week is light, you'll find that the hours between 7pm and 12am most guys are just BS-ing with each other.
I am assuming that most or all of you work at BB banks. I am sure it depends on how busy a particular group is and the structure of the group, but how many live deals (M&A or equity) on an average do first year analysts get staffed on? What are the most prestigious MM as far as the Street is concerned?
You're right, it does depend on the group. I remember in my BB i-banking years the consumer group was actually much more relaxed than, say, M&A or FIG. Same goes for Sponsors and LevFin groups sometimes. Not a huge difference though. Also, it depends on the BB. UBS and Lehman used to have the worse hours, but I hear Lehman has become much better, looks after its analysts and actually has the highest retention on the Street.
First years will probably see a couple of live M&A deals and 4-5 offerings. In terms of your hours, though, it doesn't mean that they will vary by much, because pitching and live deals don't make a heck of a difference at the first-year level, i.e., the associate will want his stuff as if it was related to a live deal.
It's just that the type of work changes. Instead of formatting excel spreadsheets with comps, you move to formatting working group lists and management presentations for the roadshow.
Just wondering, usually what is the average age of first year starting analyst? Also, how long does the transition take suauly from an analyst to an associate and then to VP?
u definitely learn to live on less sleep. it just happens. always naturally occurs with aging. you will never realize how under-rated sleep is until you get into banking. try not to over sleep on the weekends when you can afford to, it just throws you off when monday comes...
first year is the most fun... sleep SUCKS anyways why would you want to do it? and you can still find time to do what you want... just have to allocated it correctly
Rerum consequatur excepturi nihil sapiente. Et est vel beatae ab.
Nesciunt ipsum et hic amet est dolores. Dolorem voluptatem in facilis est enim. Aut asperiores dolores non nostrum. Nam quod rerum laudantium qui nostrum voluptatem molestiae. Quisquam voluptates quibusdam veritatis dignissimos expedita. Est optio voluptatem itaque nemo distinctio.
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)
Sorry, you need to login or sign up in order to vote. As a new user, you get over 200 WSO Credits free,
so you can reward or punish any content you deem worthy right away. See you on the other side!
attitude. its all about your attitude.
build up your credibility in the beginning and always show a positive attitude
seek out increased responsibility. it is a great way to differentiate yourself from others, especially if your compensation is based on your ranking among peers.
hard work, willingness to learn
getting a job in ibanking will definitely inflate your ego, so get ready to swallow your pride on a daily basis.
definitely get to know as many ppl as you can - 2 years down, when you have more of a focus, you can move wherever you want.
Could not agree more, attitude is everything. If you dwell on how much your life sucks you won't do a good job and your life will suck even more
understand what you're getting into. If you expect to work on the weekends it isn't nearly as painful if you are hoping to get out or hoping to get some sleep.
don't get your hopes up and always be prepared for more than you thought you could handle.
in short: understand what you're getting into and set your expectations appropriately and you'll be in a much better mood.
Are 100 hour weeks common? I can see doing 80 hours most of the time, but doing 100 hours means you have no time to do anything but sleep and travel to and from the office.
get used to it buddy
That
From my experience, while 100 hour work weeks do happen, I would say that 80 to 90 is probably more par for the course. You can count on at least 70 in the slowest of weeks.
how do you guys work with only 5-6 hrs a day? lots of coffee?
well.. some of us look for something with a little more kick....thats right, Jolt Cola. Either that, or get used to the taste of espresso
The hours are terrible, but you tend to get accustomed to the routine. You'll find that you basically work from 9am to 12am, with somedays leaving at 10pm and some at 2am. But when the work week is light, you'll find that the hours between 7pm and 12am most guys are just BS-ing with each other.
you have to find more that motivates you other than the check..if you don't you;ll die
I am assuming that most or all of you work at BB banks. I am sure it depends on how busy a particular group is and the structure of the group, but how many live deals (M&A or equity) on an average do first year analysts get staffed on? What are the most prestigious MM as far as the Street is concerned?
You're right, it does depend on the group. I remember in my BB i-banking years the consumer group was actually much more relaxed than, say, M&A or FIG. Same goes for Sponsors and LevFin groups sometimes. Not a huge difference though. Also, it depends on the BB. UBS and Lehman used to have the worse hours, but I hear Lehman has become much better, looks after its analysts and actually has the highest retention on the Street.
First years will probably see a couple of live M&A deals and 4-5 offerings. In terms of your hours, though, it doesn't mean that they will vary by much, because pitching and live deals don't make a heck of a difference at the first-year level, i.e., the associate will want his stuff as if it was related to a live deal.
It's just that the type of work changes. Instead of formatting excel spreadsheets with comps, you move to formatting working group lists and management presentations for the roadshow.
I agree. You have to find something about the job that you enjoy or have some passion for...otherwise you'll probably suck
Just wondering, usually what is the average age of first year starting analyst? Also, how long does the transition take suauly from an analyst to an associate and then to VP?
Is it hard to move from London to New York as an analyst? Even if you
u definitely learn to live on less sleep. it just happens. always naturally occurs with aging. you will never realize how under-rated sleep is until you get into banking. try not to over sleep on the weekends when you can afford to, it just throws you off when monday comes...
first year is the most fun... sleep SUCKS anyways why would you want to do it? and you can still find time to do what you want... just have to allocated it correctly
How much do pre-mba PE associates make? what about sr associate/principal and MD at PE?
agree more
i am dying!
"how do you guys work with only 5-6 hrs a day? lots of coffee?"
--
5-6 hours sounds so nice right now. I got all of 1.5 hours last night - though on a positive note I feel more sick to my stomach than I do tired...
How does it go, "You'll get plenty of sleep when you die."
open attitude is important. i agree
got have a tough skin
Rerum consequatur excepturi nihil sapiente. Et est vel beatae ab.
Nesciunt ipsum et hic amet est dolores. Dolorem voluptatem in facilis est enim. Aut asperiores dolores non nostrum. Nam quod rerum laudantium qui nostrum voluptatem molestiae. Quisquam voluptates quibusdam veritatis dignissimos expedita. Est optio voluptatem itaque nemo distinctio.
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...
Aut consectetur totam ut. Porro veritatis culpa culpa. Dolorem in ducimus unde ut fuga debitis nihil.