How To Impress Those Who Matter

We've all been there at some point. You turn up for a new job, bright eyed, fresh faced and eager to show everyone you are the worlds greatest gift to the team. One slight problem though, you're not. Everyone you are working with has more experience and is probably better at the job than you are. This leaves you in a bit of a predicament; you want that return offer / top bonus. Making a great impression with the seniors on the team is easier than you think as long as you follow these key points.



  • Engage with them - Chances are your MD / Manager doesn't even have Excel installed on his computer, let alone go diving into models and checking your cash flow statement is linked properly. That's what the Associates and VPs are for. However, they WILL appreciate someone who takes an interest in the stuff they do. While junior financiers are more concerned with the accounting treatment of goodwill, your boss will be worrying about management issues, the views of the CEO of the client, market sentiment etc. If you can show an interest in these issues, his view of you will dramatically improve.

  • ALWAYS show an interest in what they are talking about - It doesnt matter if they're talking about 'the good old days', problems finding a new house in the Hamptons, that guy who takes too long to play a round at the country club or any other 1st world problem. TAKE. AN. INTEREST. Fake it, believe it, whatever it takes to make them think that their life is vaguely interesting to other human beings.

  • Underpromise, overdeliver - It's a cliche for a reason. It's true. If an analyst or associate tries to dump his work on you, by all means try and push back with a vaguely believable excuse but if your MD / ED asks you to do something, smile, tell him you'll get it done as soon as possible and then have it sitting on his desk before he expects it. Seniors appreciate efficiency.

It goes without saying that to make a good impression you always need to produce top quality work, but there is a world of difference between impressing an analyst / associate and an MD. Who do you think has final say over your bonus?

Happy Thanksgiving.

6 Comments
 
Asatarif your MD / ED asks you to do something, smile, tell him you'll get it done as soon as possible and then have it sitting on his desk before he expects it. Seniors appreciate efficiency. .
this doesn't sound like underpromising?
 
Ron Paul
Asatarif your MD / ED asks you to do something, smile, tell him you'll get it done as soon as possible and then have it sitting on his desk before he expects it. Seniors appreciate efficiency. .
this doesn't sound like underpromising?

Point taken! I mean't it as in don't say you do it "right away" but rather "as soon as you have the time to do it".

Underpromising would be something like "I'm not sure if I would be the best person to do this job/If I can do it within the timeframe you expect, but I'll give it my best shot".

 

Quis distinctio explicabo molestiae harum ullam minus tenetur. Numquam molestias soluta omnis est natus magni. Eligendi ratione vero minus dignissimos quos labore et delectus. Dicta expedita perferendis assumenda aspernatur eaque et expedita molestiae. Odit qui error est molestias architecto consequatur minima et. Quia est eligendi quos alias tenetur voluptatem optio voluptate.

Nemo a amet laudantium nam sed consequatur maiores. Assumenda alias enim repudiandae animi error quia expedita. Harum beatae quia officiis omnis quasi. Eum sunt illo voluptatem debitis. Sapiente esse eaque qui iure perferendis.

Laboriosam eum molestias id autem quod. Voluptas consequatur voluptatibus aut expedita nihil. Assumenda voluptate libero ex et dolorem harum reprehenderit. Exercitationem cupiditate id ut aut iste odio.

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 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”