Annoying AN1 in group driving me crazy

Has anyone had experiences recently where it's hellish working with their new joiners? We had a great intern this summer, and he was a pleasure to be around. Our new MBA Associate and the other new first-years are wonderful as well. However, there's one An1 in particular that is really grinding my gears. Whenever I am delegating tasks, they think that they're the one in charge and starts asking me to do stuff, not the other way around. Makes absolutely no sense - when I was a first-year, I was super respectful of our second-years and basically just did what they told me to do. 

This new joiner is always pushing back, questioning my work (which is good quality, I might add), speaking in an accusatory tone, etc. Drives me bonkers - spoke with the other second years and they agree with me. Normally I just try to shut the AN1's BS down straight away, but they are not learning. They just keep being offensive / hard to work with. 

To the second-year analysts and associates out there, is it common to receive this level of pushback? I am trying my best to be a good sport and remain civil, but my boundaries are getting tested...

23 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Talk to the staffer, just mention casually and not in a tattletale way. Don't throw them under the bus, but say you've noticed AN1 tends to be oppositional and you and the other second-years are having a tough time with their pushing back and tone.

The staffer might be able to pull them aside for a coffee and give them a nice heads up / quick correction

IMO you're doing this kid a favor to give this kind of feedback early on. Doesn't help anyone to wait until the mid year review on this type of problem.

 

Why are they staffing a second year and a first year on a deal in the first place?

 

Not op but I just started as a first year. What are your tips on being someone that a second year wants to work with? And what excel and ppt mistakes do u catch most often

 

My BB does this very frequently, IMO a great way to train first years up or expose them to live deals without handing them the reins entirely.

Often a busy live deal where the second year does the modeling and heavy lifting while the AN1 does the text edits, admin work, etc to give AN2 some more time for other items. Or a pitch where AN1 might hold pen a little bit more but AN2 takes associate role, helps with model etc. 

 

It's usually in the first years best interest.

I don't mind training someone brand new and have done so many times, but the amount of time a 2nd year has to sit with the first year to explain things far outweighs more senior people.

They've also come up the learning curve more recently and it's less intimidating for the first year to have someone more junior check their work and give them guidance at the start. 

Also protects them on the off chance the senior or client needs something urgently and the associate is tied up. 

 

I don't think that's what this guy is saying at all... there are some complaining and rude posts on here but this is a reasonable OP.

anyone learning a new skill shouldn't be rude and accusatory to anyone trying to teach them, regardless of whether they're older or younger. Can't think of a single area where this would be acceptable

 

I don’t really disagree but I still think it’s funny. The shut up and do what I say culture that creeps down to even the most jr level in banking is objectively funny especially when it’s between an AN1 and AN2, where the experience and age gap is basically nothing, and most of the experience of the AN2 would just be admin and formatting work anyways. But anyways I guess not the point of the post so this AN1 is probably a tool

 

Imagine thinking it’s somehow difficult to be an easygoing, agreeable analyst.  I honestly feel that 95% of analysts are easy to get along with.  Some more competent than others, but not being a massive pain in the ass is table stakes.  

Squash this analyst is my advice.  If he hasn’t figured out something so basic by age 22, there isn’t much hope for him.  Treating him with kid gloves is just going to allow him to adjust the appearance of his behavior and continue to poison the team. 

 

Occaecati et et non quis rerum ullam adipisci. Incidunt qui qui aperiam qui voluptatem sed recusandae. Esse officia et consequatur enim molestiae soluta aut.

Iure mollitia corrupti atque fugit nisi molestias dignissimos. Explicabo ut pariatur sunt reiciendis. Esse fugiat repellendus esse excepturi qui. Possimus sed libero doloribus alias sunt. Quasi accusamus rerum et facilis dolores dolorum aliquam. Aliquam minus molestiae ipsa id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”