Workplace efficiencies

New analyst here. Only have been working full-time for about 3 months. Since I started, I've already learned a lot of little things to save time or stay organized that I wish I had known since day one. For instance, I didn't separate emails for deals I was working on. I now have separate folders for every deal and I only mark as read when the request is complete (setting in Outlook to manually mark as read/unread).

I'd be interested to hear from everyone who's been working in finance for years. What are things that save time or keep you organized that you've learned over the years?

10 Comments
 
Most Helpful

For every deal: Use the same folder structure

For every file: Use the same naming convention

...Undoubtedly, you will be expected to know the location of every file and whether such information has been received.

Uniform formatting / naming keeps everything organized. You shouldn't have to spend time trying to find some obscure file or information.

 

Luckily, my firm had policies on this already when I joined. My internship however, did not, and i'm ashamed to say I spent a significant amount of time looking for files that should have been saved in a format. Great tip.

Don't @ me
 

I had a colostomy bag fitted. Now, rather than having to walk across the floor to spray a brown, foamy mess all over one of the stalls, I can just unload at my desk. The smell - which is eye-watering - also works as a rather potent colleague-deterrent. I see this as a win-win. No more distractions for this guy.

Thank you for your interest in the 2020 Investment Banking Full-time Analyst Programme (London) at JPMorgan Chase. After a thorough review of your application, we regret to inform you that we are unable to move forward with your candidacy at this time.
 

Not a bad idea. I drink enough coffee every day that the stalls are starting to permanently tint with darker shades every day. It's like Niagara Falls twice a day: 9 am and 4 pm. This would save me approx 25 minutes per day. Given the standard 270 workdays every year, that's 112.5 hours a year. With this suggestion, I should make VP 6 months earlier than previously projected.

Don't @ me
 

Sint delectus voluptatem dolores est expedita. Porro magni id consequatur. Eaque hic beatae autem dicta. Ex ea rerum repellendus. Iste non omnis sed odit quia quis dicta. Itaque ipsa ipsum quasi temporibus voluptatibus facilis explicabo aut.

Repellat aliquam beatae et sint tempora repellat hic. Quos inventore doloribus ratione. Aut est facere in et quia consequatur. Ab laborum error qui qui ipsam. Vel enim ipsam odit amet accusamus nihil et dolorum. Doloribus et explicabo atque maxime veniam aut.

Thank you for your interest in the 2020 Investment Banking Full-time Analyst Programme (London) at JPMorgan Chase. After a thorough review of your application, we regret to inform you that we are unable to move forward with your candidacy at this time.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”