30 Days Before Starting as an IB Analyst — Prep or Enjoy Life?
Hey everyone,
I’m an incoming analyst at a top IB shop in my region. I have about 30 days before my start date and want to make the most of them.
I have some modeling experience from my internship and university investment fund, but if I’m being honest, I don’t feel as technically sharp as I’d like to be going in. I know the learning curve in the first few months is steep and I don’t want to be the guy slowing the team down.
For those already in the seat — what would you focus on if you had a month before starting? Or would you honestly just enjoy life, travel, see friends, and recharge before grinding 80+ hour weeks?
Curious to hear what you guys did or wish you had done.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you can approach your final 30 days before starting as an IB analyst:
1. Balance Preparation and Recharge
2. Technical Skills
3. Practical Tips for the Role
4. Networking
5. Mental and Physical Preparation
6. Reading and Broader Knowledge
Final Advice
Strike a balance. Recharge and enjoy life, but dedicate some time to preparation so you feel confident walking into your first day. The key is to avoid burnout before you even begin while ensuring you’re not caught off guard by the steep learning curve.
Sources: Just got an IB offer, how do I prepare?, What to do Pre-MBA to prepare for IB recruiting, Advice From an Advisor to Senior Wall Streeters, Interviewing for a SA or Analyst position? Here's what I'd want to hear as a VP.
You should brush up for sure
I think probably the most useful preparatory work would be familiarizing yourself with the M&A process, including sequencing, key deliverables, key competencies as analyst, etc., less-so aiming to optimize for Excel / PowerPoint efficiency in 1 month (TLDR: no matter how much time you invest, you’ll still be sub-par relative to an experienced analyst; development comes with time so don’t synthetically force it)
Additionally, depending on whether you’re entering as a product / coverage banker, I’d get smart on the underlying sector / sub-sector, and begin to develop an understanding of the strategic landscape, acquirer universe, etc., as well as staying abreast of market news, as those are often the intangible skills that can provide you with a competitive advantage
All that said, and speaking as a second-year analyst, the first few months are certainly quite difficult, but they’re admittedly transformative and highly-accretive to your professional development, so be excited and eager to learn
Don’t shy away from work and always keep a positive attitude. First years are largely-dilutive anyhow, but the best ones have a good attitude, avoid repeating the same mistake multiple times and provide leverage to the analysts above them
Have fun between now and your start date, but also try to get smart on things while you have the time, as that investment will pay dividends
Thank you!!!!
Would highly disagree with the guy above. Have been in banking / pe for 7 ish years now, and everything I have learned has been in the job. Not worth it to spend what little time you have left half ass studying for a job that wrecks almost everyone. Enjoy your time dude. Do not even think about work, it’s going to consume your life for at least the next two years so use the next few weeks to get your head right.
Also, for what it’s worth, no one likes a hardo. You can get pretty much as far you want in this industry off being likable and pure grit alone
Thanks for your point of view man. How focused are you in your health? I’ve trained ( running, gym, wakeboard, soccer ) my whole life.
I understand work’s the priority these first years. But how did you manage to stay in shape? ( if you are into this, for some reason I’m assuming you are. Might me incredibly wrong though ). Or how do “fit” people you know do it?
I consider myself to be pretty health focused, but candidly I really struggled to maintain my health during my analyst / associate years. It’s still an uphill battle and I think it always will be in this industry - it’s one of the many trade offs that you have to decide is worth it to you or not.
The regiment that I have developed:
1. Sleep is the number one priority I have, other than the relationship I have with my wife. On live deal sprints your whole life is fucked, so I just try to survive basically. Everything else comes second because sleep debt builds up and problems cascade down from there. I can usually get a full night on Friday and Saturday. This one is tough overall because it’s completely outside your control.
2. Eat clean. I eat pretty strict probably 85% of the time and have some good food with my friends / wife on the weekends. Just gotta be consistent and this is a lever you usually have full control over.
3. No caffeine / stims. Helps that I don’t like these, but it’s a hard rule that I don’t touch them, especially on low sleep. Cardio health is very important to me. A few times a year I’ll smoke a cigar. Maybe one time a year I’ll rip a carton of cigs over the course of a weekend on a bachelor party or something but outside of that I go completely hands off.
4. Lift with a goal of 4x per week, usually ends up being like 2 or 3x. Heavy upper day Saturday, heavy lower day Sunday. Leave the volume / speed work for intra week so I feel less bad about skipping these because I usually get blown up. Sauna as many days as I can in a week, usually ends up being 2x. Walk 10-20k steps on the weekends. Cardio / hiit during the week if I can.
5. Basic supplements - creatine, O3, D3/K2, magnesium, zinc, ashwagandha, whey, B complex, beetroot
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