We've seen and had a countless number of threads on what makes someone a GOOD Summer Analyst. What makes someone a POOR or BAD Summer Analyst though? (Apart from making repetitive mistakes in his/her work)
To those who are already in the industry, do you have any stories? What kind of things does one SA do that puts him in a negative light?
be a likable, cool dude
associate: wanna get coffee?
you: no, i'm busy doing xyz
associate: no you're not because I assign you work and you're not doing shit
The biggest red flags are bad attitude and not "getting it". Everything else can (and is expected to) be taught, but interns that complain a lot or don't appreciate the urgency/seriousness of a project have a hard time converting FT offers
The internship is all about finding people who are competent and good to work with,. Pretty much anyone with an internship offer is capable of learning the technicals. It's the latter where interns really stand out
1) doesn’t attend the social events with the other SA’s. This shows that the SA doesn’t get along with the group and might not be a good fit if FT
2) doesn’t actively seek out work. Expects work to fall on their lap
3) if working with another SA - aka teaming up on something - a bad/poor SA will blame the other SA if something is wrong. The VP/ED will note that the SA jumps to place blame instead of focus on solutions
Those are the main ones I would argue
Student loans, excessive spending, lack of financial support from family
you asked what makes someone a poor summer analyst. he described to you how they could be poor (not wealthy / no money)
he's joking
Oh god how did I not see it
You sound like a really awkward dude. GL this summer bud
Thanks man I will try LOL
While I don't have IB experience, I can comment on a few general things to keep in my as a newer employee.
Be someone you'd want to work with: Don't be an insufferable douche. Take a joke. Be social with peers. Don't complain. Have fun. If an assignment sucks and y'all are working really late, crack a joke.
Think for yourself: Try to figure something out on your own before asking someone up the foodchain for help. It's very frustrating to have a new employee ask me something which they could have easily figured out in 5 or 10 minutes with minimal effort.
Be on time: Or better yet, a couple minutes early, but don't be a dick and rub it in peoples' faces.
Put in the hours (and work): I'm not saying to be the first one in and last one out every day, but be there above the minimum. Also, don't talk about how many hours you're putting in. No one wants to listen to someone go on and on about that. When you're at the office, be working, it doesn't matter if someone is at work for 12 hours if they're just looking at dank memes all day.
I'm realizing that some of that sounds a bit rude and condescending, if so please don't take it that way. I think you're on the right track in asking what makes a bad analyst as well as what makes a good analyst.
** EDIT: Dress well but don't show off and keep your appearance professional. **
Don't download League of Legends on your work computer.
What about Fortnite?
Here are some reasons some analysts in my group did not receive offers in the past:
They spend their entire summer in the analyst bullpen, meaning that they don't develop any relationships with anyone above an analyst. When it came time to discuss their candidacy for a FT offer, nobody knew who they were and couldn't speak to why they should get an offer.
They are really unprofessional. I mean, I'm all for hearing about your weekend in Vegas where you got really drunk and banged some hot girl, and I know that you are trying to bond with me, but I've known you for two weeks and I'm your VP. It's too much too soon. Or they show up on the weekend to the office in a wife beater, basketball shorts, and a baseball hat. I mean, I know it's a Saturday, but you are still in a professional office environment.
They lie and shirk responsibility. For example, one summer analyst wanted to go to some rave or concert over the weekend. But she got staffed. She told people she was sick and couldn't come into the office, so the work got handed to someone else. Somehow, word got out that she went to a concert over the weekend from the other analysts. That was the end of her.
They are dumb. There aren't too many of these, and the two that I'm thinking were client kids who did not fit the typical profile of someone we would normally hire. But there are also a couple that were really brilliant on paper but lacked common sense in person.
They try to play politics but unsuccessfully. One summer analyst buddied up to a VP in our group who had a lot of clout. He spent his entire summer working on this guy's projects at the expense of other "less important" people whose work he put to the side whenever there was a competing deadline. In the end, the VP had one vote and everyone who he shunned each had one vote.
They get really drunk and do something really dumb at a company event. Enough said.
The bar to get a return offer is not that high, to be honest. We're all rooting for your success. You just need to not shoot yourself in the foot. Just show up to the office looking professional. Smile and be gracious to everyone, including all of the assistants and support staff. Make sure you get out of the bullpen and try to talk to the associates and VPs and Directors in your group, as these are the people who will decide if you get a return offer. Work hard but no need to be the last person out of the office every night. In meetings with your associate or VP, ask an innocuous question to show that you are engaged and interested. Show up to the summer events and take the opportunity to introduce yourself to a MD or two and make chit chat. It's OK to make mistakes on your work. Just apologize and tell people that you will double check your work next time and make sure that it won't happen again. Honestly, that's it.