How to know if you're @$$-kissing?

If you're an intern who is trying hard to make a good first impression, show you're hard working, how do you know if you're being perceived as an ass-kisser by the other interns or superiors?

I have heard that no one likes people who suck up but where's the line between being hard working and being an ass kisser?

I mean, there are some people who just hate down time and would much rather be working - is asking for more work ass kissing? What if you know how to do something that the other interns don't (Some type of Model) and offer to help an analyst..is that sucking up?

BTW, this doesn't apply to me, I'm just asking because I have seen it numerous times in threads.

8 Comments
 

Ass-kissing and working hard have nothing to do with each other. Don't try to "show" you're hardworking, be hardworking. It doesn't matter if your fellow interns think you're ass-kissing, but if your superiors think you are, you're probably coming across as insincere.

Knowing how to do something the other interns don't only means you're more competent / well-studied in that respect, and reflects well, rather than poorly, on you. I get the impression that people who complain about "ass-kissers" are usually just unwilling / unable / not interested enough to work as hard.

Also, this whole notion of "ass-kissing" implies that your superiors are dim / socially unintelligent enough not to realize when people are being insincere. If that is the case, you're probably working for the wrong people. It's incredibly difficult to lie / be insincere convincingly for twelve hours a day for any extended period of time. Most people who act insincerely lose all convincingness after even a tiny bit of prodding (c.f. the "Why this firm" question).

 
DaedalusAlso, this whole notion of "ass-kissing" implies that your superiors are dim / socially unintelligent enough not to realize when people are being insincere. If that is the case, you're probably working for the wrong people. It's incredibly difficult to lie / be insincere convincingly for twelve hours a day for any extended period of time. Most people who act insincerely lose all convincingness after even a tiny bit of prodding (c.f. the "Why this firm" question).

summed it up perfectly.

 
Best Response

step 1. check where yo lips at step 2. ax yoself, is they on an ass? step 3. if no proceed to step 4; if yes skip ahead 2 step 5 step 4. you not ass kissin step 5. yo ass be ass kissin

 

Being an intern is all about kissing @ss. Everyone including employers know interns are in it for something (networking, job offers) so he may stand out amongst you guys. Especially if there's competition for these positions, it's not a bad idea.

 

Animi quia quo laboriosam ullam. Alias nulla nisi quisquam ducimus iure dolor. Qui minus maxime sed assumenda odit molestiae dignissimos. Id nisi soluta sint numquam quidem quo. Autem debitis dolor fugit pariatur dolor. Ut quae omnis saepe id tempore ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”