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View from a former staffer here:
So, as a staffer, the analyst who would try to just tel me “no I can’t, I don’t have any spare capacity” without asking and giving further context would not be super well received.
What would be a better way is:
If your staffer is decent, he’ll take this into account. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t be staffed, because there may not be a better option for the team anyway.
If the staffer is an ass, at least you won’t be perceived as trying to avoid work.
Much needed advice thank you!
View from a former analyst.
Staffers never have a good sense of how busy some analysts are(or they dont care). I submitted reports I worked 90 hours a week and would still get staffings because 99% of staffers dont have the balls to turns down MD requests and tell them analysts are at capacity.
So guess what, if you won't turn them down....I will.
Staffing may be a team game, but getting through the analyst years is NOT a team game. You need to look out for yourself sometimes. If you do good work, the seniors will not care that you turn down some staffings here and there (in fact, they may respect you more).
You sir are spot on and the bozo staffer above can kiss my nuts
Antagoniizng the staffer is not the best way to go theough the analyst years
Read my post again - you can turn down staffing, there is just a way to do it smartly
Agree on everything what you said except the part that staffers care about individual development ;)
Never seen someone drink the koolaid so hard
This gives off strong "MBA associate who never touched the model" vibes
Would echo all of the above. Some of my co-analysts are afraid to turn down staffings and have been working til 6am submitting terrible work. Meanwhile these could easily get restaffed to other analysts who are at 50% capacity… Never hurts to say “I don’t think I have the capacity to take this on because of x and y projects - but I’m happy to help out if needed”
Very similar to how I feel
Having been a staffer before, I'd draw the line at whether you would have to pull an all-nighter for the task given. If so, I would ask for some additional help even if it's temporary. A reasonable staffer should understand this. If not, go speak with your office COO.
lmfao An all-nighter is where an analyst should draw the line? Can you hear yourself?
Everyone has different levels of what "at capacity" means. For some people it's logging off at 10 PM every day, for others it's 4 AM. At DLJ during the 90’s, it was famously ~112 hours a week…
Before you refuse a staffing, just make sure your definition of being "at capacity" is in line with the other analysts in your group. But assuming it is and you are actually at capacity - definitely do not take on a staffing that puts you over the top. Producing exceptional, well thought-out work for a few people is far better than producing mediocre work for the entire group.
As long as they buy that you’re actually too busy and it depends how you phrase it (explain how you don’t think you have time for your current projects if you take on more stuff etc)
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