Vacation as an Analyst?
Hey guys, I am about to begin working at a BB in their investment banking division as an analyst in a few months. I have a few questions I am hoping to get some clarity on even if its not with 100% accuracy.
- When is it generally okay to take your first vacation as an analyst?
- Is Christmas and/or New Years generally worked or a treated as a holiday?
- How far ahead heads up is a good idea to give your team when you are planning a vacation?
I realize I am getting a bit ahead of myself with these questions, but I just want some insight. Thanks!
Standard Gen X director's outlook on leave for millenials that I've seen is: - Don't plan to take any time off for the first year - Certainly don't mention taking any time off for the first 6 - 9 months - If you've worked pretty doggedly in the initial period 6 - 9 month period, maybe ask politely if you can take a few days off
Notwithstanding that I'm Gen X, I am more sympathetic than this. Your bosses may also be more sympathetic. However, if you go in expecting the outlooks bulleted above, then you're in the safest position. If you see others taking leave without negative effects or your bosses indicate they are cool with you taking some leave, then you can ask.
SSits's outlook on this is generally good advice to follow. Really going to be team dependent. As a first year analyst I think I took a half day off in my first six months except for Christmas. Spent 3-4 days away from the office for Christmas (with laptop, had to put in 3-5 hours each day, had to come off the golf course with my future FIL to work on a MP one time).
My office was a mid-year bonus cycle. Not many first year analysts took vacation in between Christmas/New Years and bonus season, if at all beyond a day or two (can't remember). I took one day off in May for a family event and had to stay up late pulling comps on shitty hotel WiFi for over an hour (an exercise that would have taken the associate who asked me to complete this about 15 minutes because he was on the office network).
That being said, try your hardest to not miss big events in life - weddings, graduations, funerals, etc. At least make the effort to try to go. If something deal-related pops up and you can't go, that's fine, but not making the effort because you work in IB and "will be busy" is weak. You may get some shit for it but it will help you keep your sanity.
As far as vacation/days off go, I tried to mention it about 8-10 weeks out to my staffer, then repeat again about a month out, then mention to my teams 2-3 weeks out (sometimes more if my planned vacation would overlap with a proposed management meeting or other deal-related deadline).
Agree with above comments. It's mostly group dependent. I started working at a company over Christmas break and there was nobody there for almost two weeks. My group gives no hard time to first years if they want to take vacation; however, they are last in the pecking order.
In general August is pretty slow with a lot of MDs going on pre-school vacation to hang out with kids. Same goes for Christmas.
Telling you staffer a couple of months in advance is a good practice. Put it on a shared calendar as well. Then keep your deal team informed. Always good to be able to move your vacation around a bit. I had to move mine a couple of months back, cause it fell right in the middle of the deal. Got me some goodwill with VP and Associate.
No. Don't mention it during the recruiting process. It will only work against you.
This. Wait until after you secure the offer and sign then bring it up with HR or your staffer after you start. The can't discriminate against you for a medical condition/disability. Can you do your hospital visit on the weekends? If so, it might not be a problem at all. I would fully expect them to accommodate you as long as it doesn't impact your productivity.
You Americans are crazy. 3-4 weeks a year here in London, some Friday working from home. 2 weeks at Christmas and a couple over the summer are standard. Admittedly having to cancel when its deal time.