How bad do you have to be to get bottom bucket?

Started my A1 program this summer. 4 months into the job and I’m decent at the gig but not really good.

I work hard & long hours, but only when required and don’t go way above and beyond. I chew up hours of manual work for my seniors, but still make a couple of silly mistakes each time (I.e. page numbers, headers, miscoloring hardcodes vs. formulas, etc). When I make great work-product, I often miss a “key point”.

There are definitely analysts better than me, but none id consider “worse”, but rather around the same level.

Do I sound like a bottom bucket analyst? Or does this sound on par with an A1 with 4 months experience? I really want to go A->A in 2 years and not exit/ do a 3 year analyst program. I know being bottom bucket would really fuck those chances.

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Plenty of "good" analysts can get bottom bucket. You work on a deal that takes up the bulk of your year, and if you're working with an a-hole associate or VP who makes unreasonable demands, or is bad himself, and projects that shit onto you, he can give you a bad review and bam, you're paid as a bottom buck analyst. But in reality, you could be a very competent analyst who's well liked by most, and who's performed well for most, but the a-hole who oversaw you for 7 months drags you down with a (possibly unwarranted) bad review. 

 

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