am i screwed?

did my first rotation on the trading floor but then used my personal device to take notes because my desk was extremely far from the team i was working with.

i didn’t send anything through my company account and didn’t send anything through my personal laptop either. just purely took notes because i had no access to my desk when i was overshadowing.

the next week i’m rotating on another desk and a senior calls me out on this. i’m stupid for not knowing better but just a bit shocked no one called me out last week at all. am i screwed for this? what should i do?

2 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, here are some insights and advice for your situation:

  1. Immediate Response:

    • Acknowledge the Mistake: Admit that you were unaware of the policy and that it was an honest mistake. Transparency is key.
    • Apologize: Offer a sincere apology to the senior who called you out. Explain that you were trying to be efficient and didn't realize it was against the rules.
  2. Future Precautions:

    • Follow Company Policies: Ensure you understand and adhere to all company policies regarding the use of personal devices and note-taking.
    • Use Company Resources: If you need to take notes, use company-provided tools and resources. If your desk is far, ask for a temporary solution that complies with company policies.
  3. Learning and Improvement:

    • Seek Guidance: Ask your team or HR for a comprehensive list of do's and don'ts to avoid similar issues in the future.
    • Stay Proactive: Show that you are willing to learn and improve. This can help mitigate any negative impressions.
  4. Potential Consequences:

    • Minor Infraction: If this is your first mistake and you handle it professionally, it’s likely to be seen as a learning experience rather than a major issue.
    • Document the Incident: Keep a record of your apology and any steps you’ve taken to rectify the situation. This can be useful if the issue is brought up again.

Remember, the key is to handle the situation professionally and show that you are committed to following company policies moving forward.

Sources: Give me your phone or your fired, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/traders-screwed?customgpt=1, HF Regrets?, Desperate Monkey Reaching out for life raft, My Story: From Trading Floor at UBS To Entrepreneur on Kickstarter

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

Qui architecto necessitatibus delectus. Est doloremque velit ut iusto officiis. Accusantium incidunt in autem ut. Aspernatur sit sint cum velit ipsa repellendus nesciunt delectus. Itaque quia explicabo et doloremque voluptate.

Illum consequatur commodi quaerat voluptatibus. Minus ducimus assumenda ut exercitationem accusantium eum quam. Harum perspiciatis esse corrupti sed non fuga.

Recusandae tempore perferendis ea qui. Explicabo quaerat nesciunt pariatur natus nulla rerum. Voluptate id odio reiciendis natus voluptatem fugit praesentium officiis. Autem sed vel qui sapiente iusto voluptas voluptas.

Sint soluta et qui eos aut sit maxime. Veniam in temporibus laudantium nostrum cum deserunt adipisci. Doloribus fugit sit magnam iure. Et ea dolore qui debitis in sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”