Unspoken rules for summer interns?

About to begin my summer analyst stint soon and was wondering if you could all share some unspoken rules for interns. Anything regarding dress code, haircut, when to arrive/leave, etc. Anything that would be useful for myself and others! :)

Also i currently have a mullet (not a full length one, relatively short in length). Is that fine? Been thinking about it a lot lately...😅

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I think unspoken rules-wise just use common sense. But I think looking back on everything. I would do these things to secure a return offer.

  1. Yes, be the first in and last out (stronger on the first in, and just when everyone leaves you should leave)
  2. Over communicate to the point your analyst and associate are saying leave me alone, give so much visibility (I forget teams is on your phone, but still just buzz em or make sure to answer fast 
  3. PDF your work, take 3 min to go get water or a snack, come back and look it over with fresh eyes so when you submit it, its good work. 
  4. Do not trust anyone, they are not your friends, if you are stressed talk about it with your mom. If you do not like someone, tell your GF. Do not discuss anything with your analysts let alone your interns. Just be smiley and happy, you do not have to impress them or try to be cool, if anything someone will find a way to judge you (they always do).
  5. Come in with the mindset that you are an idiot, because you will make mistakes its bound to happen, this job is so different once you actually are in the mix of pitches and M&A deals. Footnotes, bar graphs, and positioning yes is very important.  
  6. Dress button up and slacks and dress shoes

Hope this helps, because you def do not want to come out of the summer with no return given the state of the job market and AI. Good luck, you got this shit!!!!

 

Dont tell me if ur going to the bathroom. I dont need to know that

 

Hey I know I might have the tism but can you explain the point about over communicating to your analyst and associate?

 

4 is too harsh. I wouldn't say don't trust others, but more like don't disclose vulnerabilities or disclose emotional takes. Otherwise sure, grab some beers, go do some sports together, have some laughs, etc. 

that's just too hostile and will prevent you from making any friends, putting you somehow under survival mode / people will sense you're too reserved and will get a bad energy from you

you're there to cultivate a professional persona/character, which being charismatic/easy going/social is also part of that reputation and makes you get extra points (which I'd argue is much needed for Gen Zs... lol)

incentives trumph ethics
 

Absolutely do not tell
Me when you’re using the bathroom. You’ll still have your phone if you step away for a four minutes or so. It’s OK to ping for anything longer than 10.

most of all remember to be likable and easy to work with (at least socially). This is what most people get dinged for. I’ve seen more people get return offers just because they were nice to work with then their work product being absolutely perfect. In fact, unless you get lucky enough to be staffed on a live deal with a very lean team—You won’t really have the opportunity to contribute as much as you think. More importantly, you won’t be trusted to.

 

produce good work with as little mistakes as possible. mistakes are going to happen but learn and do not make the same mistake twice.

just do the mundane stuff well and do not complain. offer yourself up for support before you leave office if other analysts are still around, but do not be too pestery.

and take some of the analysts out for a coffee - they will appreciate it (or atleast the offer) 

goodluck!

"we do not reach the peaks of these mountains, without first learning to give up our want to surrender" - shanke koyzcan
 

anything on the social/people side of the job you have tips for, similar to the take analysts out for coffee type thing? Or stuff that maybe annoys you when interns do or other way around?

 

I once gave an intern a full time offer on the spot because he made a limerick mocking one of the MDs on my team with brutal hilarity. That was very circumstantial though and perhaps not a widely recommended approach. He has been one one of my best juniors.

That said, the things I look for and have my team look for.

  1. Communication and process management. Do you manage things in an organized way and communicate in an organized way
  2. Corollary to this - communication of the written word. I am a stickler for good use of the English language 
  3. Interest in the job and genuine enthusiasm for the businesses that we advise
  4. Behave like an adult professional, not a college kid. This one may be the biggest unwritten thing. It’s hard to put a finger on it but you need to comport yourself like you belong.
  5. Corollary to this. Dress and groom yourself well. This doesn’t mean fancy clothes. But it means the right clothes. Dark blue or grey wool suit, white or light blue point collar cotton shirt. Penny loafers or Oxford shoes.  Nothing shiny. Save the vest game for full time hires. Everything impeccably pressed. Hair cut. No mullets
  6. Attention to detail
  7. Get on with the analysts and associates. Be fun and sociable. Doesn’t mean you need to crush beers with them if that’s not your thing, but a smile, sense of humour and enthusiasm goes a long way,
  8. Do not be seen in any way (and just don’t do it) to be competitive with your peers and always be collaborative. That’s an immediate deal breaker.
 

Don't be the drunkest person at the team happy your. Or the second-drunkest person, for that matter.

 

Other random advice:

  • Always, always carry a notebook with you. When stopping by your AN desk, take notes and put things in writing. there's nothing more humiliating than hearing a set of instructions, failing to note them, and then having to make the walk of shame / asking for the same instructions soon thereafter. It's a bad look
  • Learn the balance between spinning wheels and asking dumb questions. Some easy rules: 
    • ask questions in clusters of at least 3-4+, avoid one-offs 
    • Try to understand every ask, email etc. for at least 5-10 minutes before asking for clarification
    • Communicate progress even if not asked, first thing in AM, at night, etc.
  • Easiest way to be somewhat value additive as an intern, when you start getting in the hang of things, try to pre-empt the next task. Esp useful in product oriented settings, if you know the next step is to begin X page or set up Y, give it a shot and let the deal team know (use judgement here)
  • Take incredibly good notes, send up the chain without asking, and file them neatly on your desktop / upload to deal folders. This should go without asking, and is very helpful
  • Never gossip (as mentioned above). If someone is gossiping to you, there's a great chance they're gossiping about you as well 
  • You are not friends with analysts. Be careful w/ how you interact with them, keep it friendly but profesisonal above all. They might shoot the shit, but sometimes they might find it weird if you try and reciprocate (stupid i know, but i saw first hand a few interns get mid-summer review to be careful of how they interact w/ analysts or other interns). The floow is smaller than you think, people can hear most of what you're saying 
  • finally, if you're looking to re-recruit, take extensive notes on your deals. Understand rationale, figures, why it's a good txn / businsess, note down the revenue profile & streams, cost structure etc., take notes on the valuation. Even if you don't want to re-recruit FT, 1) you never know what comes up 2) it is expected by all HHs your senior Fall / Spring to discuss in depth at this point 
 

For the point on taking detailed notes to send up the chain, what exactly are you taking notes on that you’d need to send up? May be a dumb question but I thought generally ur just note-taking stuff abt ur deals and random stuff ur deal team says 

 

Not a dumb question at all. Taking notes is like the ultimate intern task. Basically any time you're on a call or listening in, you should be taking notes in a Word doc. 

In the group I interned with, we would have external calls with sponsors, ratings agencies or investor presentations where having really detailed notes helped when compiling answers for diligence trackers later on etc. On those I tried to get as much detail as possible, nearly transcribing for the Q&A section. Should also take good notes for any internal calls with your deal team, those obviously don't have to be as detailed but are important to have for yourself and in case someone wants a summary of what was discussed later. 

 

More general advice but just don't overthink -- you got the role so you're qualified, smart, hardworking, so as long as you continue showing those you'll be ok. Contrary to popular belief were not actually micro analyzing every little behavior or thing an intern does. Tbh im too busy to really be paying attention to what my intern is up to most of the day. As long you're not egregiously fucking up and reliable where i can find you if i need you, and trust me, if i will if there is actually something i have for you to do, ill give you the thumbs up come decisions. 

 

Join team social events. It is important to be visible outside of the office. Staying at your desk pretending you are working on a critical task that no one else can do while everybody is out having drinks is not a good look.

Identify the top analysts/associates and try to work with them and learn from them. Their feedback will have far more weight than someone’s who has no reputation in the team.

 

still better to not even if i am of age, right? Plan was to just take water shots or smth but also dont wanna get judged for not drinking

 

bump, but as far as what im doing i got a broccoli cut rn and ion wanna risk it so imma js run the side part to be safe

 

Cut your stupid mullet and smarten up.  It’s not funny.  Don’t screw around if you actually want a job.  You know exactly what you need to do if you just browse this site and make an effort.  Don’t try to be cute.

 

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