Being late to work as 1st year analyst

Hi all,

Recently joined a few months ago as Analyst 1 at a boutique bank (it’s a small office so everyone is visible to each other). I was never really late to work until a few weeks back - it was an intense time during one of our deals and I was consistently going to bed after 3am - initially I would still be getting to work anywhere between 9am-9.30am, which isn’t really counted as late at my firm.

But this week, the intense period is over and despite that, it feels like my body is just repaying all that sleep debt I’ve accumulated and it’s been difficult to get up early in the morning. I’ve been to work late (as in 10am) almost every day this week with no late night to back it up, and feel my team is noticing it a little bit and asking if I’m OK (which is a nice way of asking me why I’m late).

I’m new and I don’t want this to reflect poorly, so would be great to get any advice / help on the following
1. Any tips for getting up in the morning even on low sleep / body is tired?
2. How do I navigate this in the best way when questioned? Truth and profusely apologise?

17 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Shouldn’t even matter. Come in past 10.

Unless you have comments you received earlier, or any urgent work that needs to be done they shouldn’t care.


I get your a first year, was same for me / was routinely cranked past 3 or 4am and would come in early. Huge burnout factor. You won’t feel it immediately but I’m in my second year now and have no soul.

 

Sorry to hear that.

For practical advice, I’d say you should get a sunrise alarm. It’s just a lamp that gradually starts to get brighter 30 mins before your alarm / wake up time. I pair it with my regular alarm. It’s super useful in the winter when the sun rises later. They’re cheap on Amazon and I use it to wake up at 6am, since my role is market-facing.

 

I would for sure get a sunrise alarm clock , you don’t need a hatch I got a cheap one on amazon that’s similar enough , I also put a alarm on my garmin so that’s 3 alarms since I barley can get out of bed. Last thing would maybe be keeping coffee in a yeti or an energy drink bedside to drink so you can perk up a bit.

I’d also include some vitamins , eat a bit cleaner might help with overall energy

 

There’s a phone app called Loud Alarm I use which is way louder than the default app

 
  1. When at work, ask smart questions and take time to understand the core of your product/deal. Be efficient with your time and people will notice that you're smart.
  2. Accept work, but don't be a Yes man. You can let people know in subtle ways that you're too staffed (even if you aren't)
  3. Buy a deaf person alarm and put it under your pillow (vibrates like crazy)
  4. SUPPLEMENTS! Morning: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Omega3 -- Night: 250mg Magnesium 1h before bed

Closer to bonus season, people will also forget whatever it is you did in October, so the 2 months before bonus season you can make sure you're doing the most and showing up on time.

Learn to play the game.

 

I say this all to say that once you're doing this and balancing well, it won't be a big issue if you're in at 10AM. You can probably get away with 1-2 late days a week even without a late night once you establish yourself

 

At a top BB and we haven't similarly long hours. General rule of thumb for us is that we don't have to get in early/by 9 AM unless we have a morning meeting even if not much work the night before. Might sound nice on paper until you realize you leave work at 2:00 - 3:00 AM on average. All IB hours suck but do think the allowing of coming in later and getting that extra few hours a week makes a massive difference. 

 

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