Summer analyst recruiting tips

After getting on multiple calls with summer analysts I’m sharing a few things that can be helpful to standout (perspective as current analyst).

1. Slow the fuck down when you are talking. You might be nervous or just a naturally fast talker but don’t spit out words as fast as Eminem raps.

2. Demonstrate sector interest by reading up on trends, asking about specific companies/deals, recent events, etc, in the sector of interest.

3. Know at-least the basics in the 400 q’s guide. It’s a bit insane how early things are but its been this way for 4-5 years now. It’s remarkable how often kids reach out and then can’t answer “walk me through a dcf”, personally don’t think these questions are a good proxy for analyst quality but it is what it is - know the game you are playing and be prepared before networking.

4. Don’t ask about work/life balance/culture. It’s banking, it should be self explanatory. If you want to get a feel for this, it’s better to ask about hobbies, things to do in the city, frequency of office events - the tone and delivery of the response to any of these proxy questions should get you the answer.

5. Follow up if someone doesn’t respond to initial email.

6. Stop exaggerating on your resume/be able to support the lies, if you write that you built operating models and LBOs at your LMM/MM PE/Search fund internship and can’t walk me from revenue to ebitda then you’ll be cut asap. Only write line items you can BS your way through.

Extra: if you have a buyside internship, the best answer to why banking is mentioning the general skillset and platform for a career in finance, stop the cap with how sell-side provides a valuable learning experience, most of us are spinning logos or doing bespoke math while trying to get to buyside.