How should I speak during my SA stint?

Hey guys, I'm going to be commuting to NYC as an SA this summer, and my question is: how do I...speak? Like, I'm just worried about coming off the wrong way if I have the wrong tone of voice or anything, so I would really appreciate some input. Also, do I have to speak in a different tone or in a different way if the person I'm talking to is a different rank, i.e. speaking to an MD vs. an associate? How about men vs. women, or certain minorities? Sorry about all the questions guys but I just want to make sure I do the right thing. Thanks!

26 Comments
 
BeenPreppinglol

Like a fucking BOSS.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

yo gucci mane u should be speekin like a baller, wit a clear distink tone and crispyness. be confidint and sound lik u been educated good cause the last thang u wanna do is give the appeerence u a sloppy communicater

 

I think I know where this post is going, but even if I dont:

You can try and sound as polished / white shoe as you want, but you will be working at the office for 100 hours / week.

There is only so long you can be fake before the real you comes out. Just be yourself within the boundaries of your firm's culture.

There is stuff I say to my friends and certain words that I would never utter at the office. Use common sense. If you do not have common sense, you have bigger problems to worry about.

 

3 MS but so much win, something isn't right here.

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

Maxime ut nostrum qui dignissimos quasi. Id minus quas quam magni. Sequi velit rerum vel aut. Totam delectus voluptatem sit deserunt hic doloremque alias. Dolor ullam et impedit porro. Soluta quisquam quae veritatis magni.

Nihil tenetur saepe qui provident. Explicabo sed consequatur similique cum. Iusto sit impedit voluptatum velit. Asperiores maiores id blanditiis. Quam quis sit doloremque temporibus numquam. Ex harum quia harum perspiciatis.

 

In atque rerum eos doloremque atque quis consequatur. Asperiores in incidunt eos doloremque aut aut dolore.

Nobis qui sunt voluptas totam omnis quia inventore. Sit voluptas quos enim. Consequatur voluptatem nam deleniti suscipit placeat ducimus quia. Consequatur quae qui eaque qui at. Impedit modi alias eaque quia est et.

Accusamus qui voluptatem ad quidem. Unde doloribus dolores et necessitatibus doloribus exercitationem et et.

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”