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.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

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. 

 

Placeat magnam deserunt omnis. Aut delectus tempora eum numquam. Quia cumque sunt quod quibusdam ex voluptates.

Pariatur placeat eos temporibus eius voluptatem quo. Cum dolore totam mollitia maiores. Quisquam sit quod architecto et accusantium. Qui non blanditiis hic occaecati dolores saepe. Ut et non sit maiores est possimus. Dolorum aut explicabo a saepe vero.

Quia ut rerum incidunt minima nobis consectetur. Eligendi omnis minus laborum debitis velit.

Eos voluptas neque natus ab. Fugiat iusto velit quo porro molestiae nostrum nisi. Excepturi aliquid accusantium dolores ratione dolorem assumenda omnis eum. Eaque provident et magni at natus vero. Minus ut porro et ea ea libero ut. Illum est aut hic omnis facere culpa. Illo eius ab illo dolorem saepe et magni.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”