Having worked with global banks like Citigroup, Standard Chartered Bank and other boutique asset management and fintech firms in Asia over the last 20 years, few common traits that were visible among successful analysts/associates:
- Effective team player: with complexity of typical banking transactions and tasks, it's never usually a one person show and better outcome is achieved when the capabilities are combined. This will remain relevant as one progresses from a team member to becoming a team leader as an MD/ED
- Networking: perhaps a single most virtue that gets you in-front of the right set of people who can uplift your career when the timing is right. Seen so many people rise from analysts to Director so quickly by using this tactfully (or it just came naturally to them)
- Keep learning: AI is more recent and more so now than earlier, those who keep adding to their skillsets find them increasingly more relevant and in demand than those who feel too content with their college learnings. That's how I made a successful transition to a Fintech business after 20 years of traditional banking.
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This is not value additive, the things you listed apply to every job across every industry. Anybody with any level of critical thinking ability knows these are important.
Fair point, generic lists don't belong here. Appreciate the comment.
What I'd add that's more specific to IB: the team player dimension looks very different in banking and to specific roles than in most other industries. When you're three days from close on a structured transaction and two advisors are reading the same covenant differently, "collaborative" isn't a personality trait — it's a pressure-tested skill. But you could still be a prop trader worker in your on silo and yet be successful!
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