What to focus on when giving guidance to new analysts?

How detailed of guidance do you provide to new analysts who don’t know anything? I just started as an associate and realized analysts often ask me follow up questions after I provide some initial instruction or task. 
 

Shohld I just give more detailed guidance from the start so I don’t get randomly asked a dozen questions sporadically? What do you guys typically focus on when giving guidance? 

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Hi I think giving more detail on the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ is more important than on the what

You could say refresh comps, change xyz assumptions to model, fix whatever etc but if you don’t explain why then the analyst won’t know in future instances what to do bc he doesn’t actually grasp the purpose or importance of what you’re asking.
 

Or if you ask them to do some extensive research in a database like CapitalIQ precedent transactions, you could explain how the database works during a short meeting so the analyst moving forward can better utilize their time when looking for similar information. 
 

Also I found it helpful when I was an analyst when guidance is given in sequential order. Like here are 5 tasks, but in order to do task/step 5, you may need to complete task/steps 1-3 first, and the reason why is because __

 

Accusamus aut voluptas eum corporis. Rerum consequatur sit est maxime temporibus repellat. Consequatur hic et sit voluptatum. In eveniet sit magnam accusantium. Non reprehenderit deleniti necessitatibus debitis qui quod. Perferendis iste iusto velit ab qui nam.

Eaque aut provident autem rem id. Esse quo sint est.

Itaque in est maiores aut. Et impedit enim reprehenderit atque rerum repudiandae. Voluptate vero ipsum autem velit architecto quasi saepe at. Numquam consequatur in et vero et aut.

Ut aut et doloremque quis nisi animi odit. Sequi nam facere quae non consequatur est dolore repellendus. Enim ea quis quibusdam quo iste. Molestiae non quo occaecati consequuntur quaerat ratione.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (45) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”