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June 30, 2026
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Triple check your work, accuracy is way more important than speed when you're first starting out. Your reputation is determined in the first few weeks
This would be #1 - and do NOT be afraid to ask questions. There really is no such thing as a stupid question when you're starting out (okay, maybe there are a few). They would much rather see that you're doing your best to get things right and truly want to learn at first than have you finish work more quickly but have to redo it three times.
Beyond that, be present and absorb as much info as you can. Go through OM's and models of properties the firm has bought to try to understand why they liked it, read through the internal IC memos or investment packages, familiarize yourself with templates and the shared drive, etc.
Best advice I could give is show up early and try to beat most of your team in office. Even if you aren't doing work just showing face early before anymore else even senior team members does wonders for your reputation. This helped me a lot, I would get to the office 20 minutes before anyone else and just scroll through LinkedIn or read articles. Also when someone on the team shows you how to do something or explain something to you, take detailed notes so it makes sense to you. Then make sure your notes are organized and spend some time reviewing them and thinking of questions you might have.
Feel free to ask intelligent questions, it makes you look engaged. Always Google easy questions or terminology.
Check your work, if something looks wrong take the initiative to investigate it because your senior folks will catch it and you want to have an answer why its right even though it doesn't meet your initial expectation. Not having an answer make it look like you don't get it or your work is wrong.
Be early and leave late even if there isn't any 'work' to do. You can be studying other deals or researching things to get familiar with your product, market or business. Senior people will think you're lazy and your peers will be pissed if you are leaving when you could be helping them with their work load. Offer to help them on tasks or watch them go through their process.
Review thoroughly, most mistakes come in the last turn of the doc when the final changes are made and you're trying to get things out fast. Make sure you're changes are pervasive and you didn't miss something. Always set an expectation when you make a change and make sure the result aligns with that.
Prepare work with the reviewer in mind. Feel free to add in exhibits or analysis that seem relevant even if not explicitly asked for. When preparing work always think what the end user is using this for and what they care about.
Always take detailed notes when someone explains a task and ALWAYS write down things that you've been asked for in a to-do list. Nothing worse than asking for a change and the analyst doesn't make it or having to follow up for something you asked for days ago and they forgot. If something is not going to be done on time let the person know as soon as you realize that so they can set their expectations, don't wait until its past due to let them know. If you're overloaded ask them to help prioritize your list, they may have different priorities than you realize.
When preparing new analysis or looking at things in new ways always ask yourself "why is this wrong?". You will get to the right answer by trying to poke holes in your theory or analysis.
We have a summer intern right now. They are first one into the office everyday. They have a great attitude, ask questions, and take notes. They ask to sit in on meetings/calls and look over my shoulder any chance they get. This has all been said above but can’t emphasize it enough. This intern is already exceeding some of the analysts, and if it is up to me they will be hired the day their internship ends.
Id cupiditate id itaque ea quo ipsa. Eveniet et suscipit et illum eos earum.
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