First Year Analyst Not Doing Anything

First year analyst at a top group at a top bank. I’ve been at the desk for ~2 months now, and not doing anything. I don’t mean like working on BS for ~10 hrs a day, I mean truly no work to do. I come in at 9:30 and have maybe 10 mins of work a day. Could literally not show up and no one would notice beyond me not being at my desk. Try and stick it out until VPs and Associates leave at 7pm, but literally sitting there. Same with the other first years so it’s not just me. I signed a MF PE offer during oncycle, but starting to get real worried about the lack of experience and such. Has this been something that anyone else has experienced?

12 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, here are some insights and advice for a first-year analyst experiencing a lack of work:

Insights:

  • Learning Curve: It's common for new analysts to experience a slow start. The initial months can sometimes be less busy as you get acclimated to the firm's processes and culture.
  • Experience Concerns: Worrying about the lack of experience is valid, especially if you have a PE offer lined up. However, the situation can change quickly, and workload can increase unexpectedly.

Advice:

  • Proactive Engagement: Take the initiative to ask for more work. Approach VPs and Associates and express your willingness to help with any tasks or projects.
  • Skill Development: Use the downtime to improve your skills. Focus on learning financial modeling, Excel, and other relevant tools that will be beneficial in your PE role.
  • Networking: Build relationships within your firm. Networking can lead to more opportunities and projects.
  • Stay Prepared: Be ready for when the workload increases. The banking industry can be unpredictable, and periods of low activity can be followed by intense work.

Additional Tips:

  • Time Management: Use this time to master time management skills, which will be crucial when the workload picks up.
  • Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on the work you do complete, no matter how small. This shows your commitment to growth and improvement.

If the situation persists, consider discussing your concerns with a mentor or senior colleague who can provide guidance and possibly advocate for you to get more involved in projects.

Sources: Anyone else fed up with the banking/finance industy?, Anyone else fed up with the banking/finance industy?, 1st Year Analysts Quitting?, Q&A: 1st Year Private Equity Analyst at a MF (KKR, BX, TPG, SLP, WP), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/wso-2021-investment-banking-work-conditions-survey-part-12?customgpt=1

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Sucks man. Try to take advantage of the down time to learn models you can find in the drive. Read CIMs and board decks too, and learn how to recreate the slides in PPT. Nothing like being on a live transaction though.

I think it should pick up soon. A handful of later stage companies I’ve caught up with this quarter have been soft targeting 2025 to file S-1s, some Q1. Could see some more activity depending on who actually files. A couple portcos shelf filed in 2020-2021 and are thinking about making the leap too. Not to mention rates are headed down after today’s cut. You’ll very likely get some deal experience before you head to PE.

 

do you think the m&a environment and hiring at the senior analyst (3rd year) lvl will pick up considering the direction of interest rates, considering alot of analysts exit 2 years? curious what your convos with companies and what their sentiment is on to move in terms of financing/acquisition/general deals 

 

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