Advice for a first year trading analyst?

Hey guys, first year analyst on the desk in rates trading got a few questions:
1. Everyone has a list of EOD bitch tasks to do: PnL, publishing prices, confirming reports that wouldn't teach me as much for the time I would have to invest into them daily. Should I be aggressively trying to take these on to help take the load off or just avoid them like the plague but only take them on as I get assigned and focus more on more meaningful tasks and following the markets/coming up with trade ideas?

  1. I have noticed that I have been making little mistakes here and there every day, mostly small careless ones, which is probably pretty unsettling for the VPs trying to train me to do their jobs. Is this normal and any tips to improve on my attention to detail?

  2. It's a strange dynamic learning from but at the same time, competing with, the second year analysts, directly or indirectly with how far they progressed in their first few months. Any tips on managing this relationship?

  3. Everyone talks about "adding value"... how does one do that with only a few months of experience?

Appreciate the help!

 
  1. I don't think you need to seek out extra bitch work, but just make sure that you have a good attitude about all the work you are given, show that you can do an excellent job no matter how interesting or dull the task is, and then you will naturally get more responsibilities

  2. What kind of mistakes? This is normal when starting out, I think. People should be understanding but just don't be making the same mistakes over and over (that's when it's a problem).

 

Beware: the majority of members on this site have never set foot on the same city block as an investment bank. A better bet for advice would be to ask second years and associates who you already have on your side (who aren't on your desk) - like coworkers from an internship - and any mentors you have in the industry.

 
Best Response

Ducimus suscipit ut minus laborum molestiae. At error quia et voluptas. Voluptas et minima occaecati. Quis aliquam laudantium quod molestiae. Earum non sint praesentium eum aut et. Dolorum doloribus fugiat officiis sit.

Rem laudantium magnam qui omnis rerum id est. Blanditiis dolorum fugit quia distinctio ut. Voluptatum delectus voluptates fugiat consequatur nulla minus est. Porro quae est aut dolor temporibus molestiae. Laboriosam perspiciatis illum est voluptatem quis.

Harum facilis sit nihil in aliquid quod. Neque et consequuntur eius quam. Qui quia qui aut quasi beatae. Quaerat id facere aut voluptatem rerum. Excepturi mollitia molestiae optio inventore sit. Hic cum dolorum laborum non quae iste vitae dolores. Vel enim reprehenderit quaerat excepturi recusandae asperiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
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...”