Starting tomorrow as a Land Acquisitions Analyst for a development company. It's my (46mW) first finance job (was previously a professor). I want to work hard, kick@$$, and learn as much as I can as quickly as I can.
What's your recommendations for keys to success?
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key recommendations for success in your new role as a Land Acquisitions Analyst:
Find a Mentor:
Delay Instant Gratification:
Pivot to Growth Areas:
Ask Deeper Questions:
Seek Energy Boosters:
Utilize Available Resources:
By following these recommendations, you can set yourself up for success in your new role and quickly become an invaluable asset to your development company.
Sources: A McKinsey grads eight tips for success at work, Keys to Success?, A McKinsey grads eight tips for success at work, Advice from an ex-IB MD: Who succeeds on Wall Street
- write down what you are learning in a notebook
- learn to filter information (prob you did that as a professor) and get to the most important facts
- land acquisitions so create a vision in your mind of the building completed, helps you model, and add input to design.
- write down key metrics that you learn from your team and research: unit density per acre, building construction types, rough construction timelines, understand a gnatt chart, etc
- know that revenue assumptions drive pretty much everything; understand which markets and why
- avoid recreating the wheel, borrow from your past work
- don’t just be an eager beaver focused on the project attributes, show maturity (I know you’re older) by evaluating development risks
- since you’re older, take early ownership of the legal documents: Letter of Intent (LOI), and thoroughly read the Purchase and Sale Agreement within your first two weeks.
- get out of the office as much as you can and see properties and learn the market and build relationships (that also means getting your work done fast and accurate)
- learn to work fast on menial tasks so you can spend more time on creative work / hard problems. Find opportunities to show them something they’ve never seen before through your creativity and resourcefulness.
- since you were a professor, you probably had to write papers. Be someone who can take a position, advocate effectively, and over time show good judgement. Your input will be sought after.
- if you have a knack for remembering numbers, use that talent in your verbal communication (oral and written), you’ll sound smarter and on top of things.
- next progression from land acquisitions analyst is deeper into land acquisitions or becoming a development manager. Figure out what you love doing more over the course of your first year or two.
- your early goal as analyst is to become the analytical quarterback of the various departments, gathering information, anticipating, and then creating actionable, concise feedback.
- have a “hunter” mindset, you need to demonstrate this instinct.
- triple check your work; print things out and review
- maintain good organization of files, models, market intel; write dates in file names
“I’m here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and I’m all out of bubblegum”
Moral of the story, leave the bubblegum at home.
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