3 Things To Think About Before Starting Full-time

Happy Monday folks.

Today I'm going to briefly be talking about those boring administrative things that you have to take care of before you start whatever it is that you're starting in the summer. I'm thinking about this in the sphere of investment banking -- where time post-starting is likely to be limited -- so you really have to make sure you've got all your ducks in a row before Day 1.

I'll be the first to admit it: I'm not good with the administrative aspects of life. Setting up internet and TV service are among my biggest pet peeves in the world.

But, if you're working pretty long hours, you're not going to want to schedule the internet installation guy during lunch break, have him not show up, and then you're stuck in 1975 for another few weeks until you can re-schedule. This is just one boring, but certainly pretty annoying example.

1. Start working on an apartment sooner rather than later

If you're moving to NYC and going through a broker, I can't really speak too much about this process -- as I don't live in NYC -- but I would assume that it's fairly streamlined (and expensive).

If going the old Craigslist route, make sure you start hitting the phones early enough to give yourself plenty of leeway financially and geographically. You don't want to be stuck 4 days before training without an apartment, and forced to use a broker and/or overpay. Take a few trips out to whatever city you're going to, get a feel for the neighborhoods, and reach out to alums in the area if you can to learn more about where to live. WSO is a great resource for NYC life, and there have been many threads about this specific topic before.

2. Get all of your paperwork in order

This sounds like a no-brainer, but every time I've moved, I've had to scramble to find last month's bill to prove prior service, or my passport, or my social security card, or or or...

Things you'll definitely need include: rental references, personal references (also for rental applications), your passport, social security card & number, employment forms (I-9, W-4, etc.), bank account information, checkbook, credit cards, billing statements for proof of residence, employment verification, and the list goes on and on -- feel free to add to it.

3. If people are helping you move, buy furniture, etc. -- confirm with them well in advance

People flake out all the time. This is especially burdensome when you're expecting someone to help you move (or really anything related to relocating to a new city), and they cancel last-minute with some bs excuse.

Set up some "backup" people too, because you don't want to be up a creek without a paddle in this situation. Having moved many times in my life, the majority of them being solo moves, I can't recommend trying to pull off a potential cross-country move by yourself. You'll need to conscript some manpower, and you'll need to ensure that it's reliable.

All of these things might seem obvious, but with the prospect of moving facing me soon, I've started to think more carefully about how to make it as pain-free as possible. Moving sucks, might as well try to plan it out as best you can while you still have time. Would you add anything to this list? Any horrendous moving stories out there?

Thanks for reading.