A2A Promotion

As a 1st year analyst, I’m curious as to how the promotion cycle works. I want to create this thread so that people can ask questions and promotes can answer.

I’ll start first:

How do I know whether or not I will get promoted?
What happens If I don’t? Do I get fired, do I continue working as an analyst?

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

If you work at a boutique, you could know as soon as several months to a year ahead of time, depending on the group. There are some groups which will only tell you at the time of the promotion, but most in my experience will want to have some sense of continuity. The larger the bank or group, the less likely they are to tell you in advance. For BB, EB, MM, etc., they are likely to be very red tape about everything.

If you do not get promoted, IB more or less behaves the same way as the old BigLaw system: up or out. At each critical juncture, you are either promoted to the next level, or you are given a minimal or zeroed-out bonus and told how many weeks or months you have remaining. In that period of time, you get your affairs in order.

 

Based on previous WSO threads, here’s what you need to know about the promotion cycle and what happens if you don't get promoted:

How to Know if You Will Get Promoted:

  1. Feedback from Senior Team Members:

    • It's crucial to check in with your senior team members and ask for feedback on your performance. Reflect on your yearly review and work hard to ensure you're improving.
    • Having an honest conversation with your seniors can provide clarity on whether you're on the right track for an Associate promotion.
  2. Performance Reviews:

    • Your yearly performance review is a significant indicator. If you're a second-year analyst, this review will be particularly telling.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Promoted:

  1. Continuation as an Analyst:

    • If you don't get promoted, you might continue working as an analyst. However, this depends on the firm's policies and your performance.
  2. Possibility of Being Let Go:

    • In firms with an "up or out" culture, not getting promoted could mean being pushed out or let go, especially if the team is overstaffed with Associates.
  3. Lateral Moves:

    • It's advisable to start looking for lateral opportunities if you sense that a promotion might not be in the cards. This proactive approach can help you secure a position elsewhere before any potential termination.
  4. Skill and Temperament:

    • Just like in the NFL, it's not only about skill but also temperament. If you're good at what you do and have the right attitude, you will likely get picked up by another firm as long as you keep hustling.

Additional Insights:

  • Character and Knowledge:

    • Remember, being fired or replaced doesn't mean it's the end of your career. Your character and knowledge remain intact, and you can apply for other positions.
  • Honest Conversations:

    • Having honest conversations with your team can provide insights into your standing and what you need to improve to secure a promotion.

By understanding these aspects, you can better navigate the promotion cycle and prepare for any outcomes.

Sources: What if you're fired as an Analyst?, Snubbed for promotion - What would you do?, When would you quit?, Minimum Time Before Lateralling?, Life in General Will Cost More Than You Think

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

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