What should I be focusing on next? (Associate / sr analyst positions)

Currently 1 year into analyst job in investment sales with 2 years prior in CMBS research. I plan on getting some transaction history under my belt before jumping ship. I'm good in excel, know all the shortcuts, and have built many models/templates for the company I'm with. What should I be focusing on next when I'd decide to leave? Are there any skills I should focus on? I'll probably network/cold msg on linkedIn in the coming year.

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some steps and skills you might consider focusing on as you prepare for the next stage in your career:

  1. Enhance Your Financial Modeling Skills: While you're already good with Excel and have built models, continue to refine these skills. Advanced financial modeling is crucial in higher-level positions.

  2. Develop Soft Skills: As you move up, soft skills become increasingly important. Work on your communication, leadership, and negotiation skills.

  3. Networking: Continue to network within your current firm and externally. Building a strong professional network can open doors to opportunities that may not be publicly listed.

  4. Learn Industry-Specific Software: If there are any industry-specific tools or software that are commonly used in your target positions, start learning them.

  5. Understand the Full Transaction Cycle: Get involved in different stages of the transaction process to gain a comprehensive understanding.

  6. Sector Specialization: Consider specializing in a particular sector within investment sales to become a subject matter expert.

  7. Regulatory Knowledge: Stay updated on any regulatory changes that could impact your field.

  8. Deal Sourcing: Learn about deal sourcing and how to evaluate potential deals effectively.

  9. Prepare for Interviews: Brush up on your interview skills, including behavioral and technical questions, especially those related to transaction experiences.

  10. Personal Branding: Develop your personal brand by sharing your insights and expertise on platforms like LinkedIn.

Remember, it's not just about leaving a job; it's about moving towards a new opportunity that excites you. Keep these focuses in mind, and when the time comes to make a move, you'll be well-prepared.

Sources: How To Quit Your Job (And Still Win), How To Quit Your Job (And Still Win), When to jump - Advice on switching jobs, careers, and fields, How To Pull Off An Internal Transfer, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/leave-pe-early-or-stick-it-out-2-years?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

This is pretty easy. What do the people one or two roles ahead of you do? Start taking on more of those tasks. The modeling is a great foundation and gets you in the game, but I’m sure you know nobody gets rich in real estate because they are good at modeling. Start spending more time developing and maintaining relationships. Take more ownership and be more proactive rather than waiting to be told what to do. By this point if you have been paying attention you should know what needs to be done next, anticipate next steps and execute. Not really rocket science what goes into manufacturing deals, just a whole bunch of work and the more of it you can complete without needing others is value add.

 
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