A Day in the Life - profiles on various career pages
Whenever i read those "A Day in the Life" profiles on various career pages i'm filled with conflicting emotions. On the one hand i think, these type of profiles tracking analysts throughout the course of their day are interesting and do provide some insights. On the other hand, most of these accounts are airbrushed, sanitised versions of what really goes on, and reveal little about the motivations, politics and other more intangible factors in play.
I think this is where iBO could could fill the void. For all the bankers out there, if any of you are willing to share your day in (relatively) broad brushstrokes from when you got to work to when you finally walk out the door, i think it would be of great benefit to all the prospective monkeys on the board. Additionally, these daily accounts would be a good way to compare experiences with other bankers in different firms, tiers, geographies, sectors, etc.
Any feedback is appreciated.
there is no template on a typical day. the only relatively typical items in the day are what time i usually get in (8:30 - 9am) and what time I usually leave (earliest at 11pm).
are you nuts? usually they are extremely miserable accounts of what it is like, which explains the high turnover ratio.
To clarify, rather than looking for an "average day" which i know doesn't really exist in template terms, I was angling more towards describe your day today or the day that you've just had.
I made a thread about this a while back, asking for people to describe their typical day. Only got a few bullshit responses that were more generic than the stuff listed at vault etc.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
aspmonkey, why dont you tell us what a typical day for an IB is like?
To show the type of response people gave back then. "There are no typical days in IB"
Did that help? No?
Too bad.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
I summered at an Industry group at a BB this summer. It is obviously difficult to highlight a typical "Day in a Life" scenario. However, based on my short experience, here is information on ONE day. Obviously days can vary significantly. Some days I was able to leave at 10:00 PM and some days I worked until 4:00 AM.
Day in the Life of an IB Associate
wow they worked you hard. thanks for sharing bro
a
Everyone is right. It totally depends on your group (industry, ECM, DCM, M&A, etc.), plus what stage of a deal you are on (pitching, negotiating, execution, etc.)
But there will be a lot of meetings, a lot of PowerPoint, a lot of Excel, a lot of chasing people around for information, sitting at the copy room begging the guy to move your print job to the front. Basically, just whatever it takes to get things done.
I guess again, I wasn't looking for some sort of cookie-cutter type outline of each day but rather an account of what your day was today, or yesterday, or you pick a particular or memorable day and run with it.
What's the WORST day(s) you've had in IB? If I know the worst case scenario, maybe I can make a better informed decision about IB.
OP...sorry for hijacking your thread.
Worst case scenario: You wake up at 8 AM after two hours of sleep in the analyst lounge. Your heart pounds because you realize you might have missed a crucial Blackberry message. You check the Blackberry in your hand under your pillow: the associate on Project #1 wants something by 9 AM. No problem. You go to your desk and pound it out. At 8:45 you permit yourself coffee, not that it helps much. You stare at CNN news and try not to hallucinate. At 9:15, comments come back from your MD on the book you worked on all night. He wants an entirely different set of data now and most of last night's work was for nothing. You start on it. The coffee kicks in. The associate on Project #2 keeps standing over your desk and hounding you to hurry up. At 11:30 a request comes in from another analyst for three of your comps, ASAP. You haven't updated your comps for the latest 10Qs yet. You will catch hell from Associate #2 if you do these comps in front of him, so you wait until he goes to lunch and jam them out as fast as possible. When he comes back he wants to see you working, not lunching, so your lunch is more coffee.
At 4:30 you've finished with the MD's comments and Associate #2 is satisfied. Unfortunately, Associate #1 (remember him?) has returned your work to you with some changes. You ask him when he wants them done. He says 8 PM would be good. You say "No problem" and head back to the lounge and set an alarm for 7 PM. You notice the gentle reek from your armpits as you fall asleep. You wake up a few times when messages come in over the Blackberry, but none of them are critical and you get a good solid hour of sleep before Associate #2 says he can't believe you didn't calendarize the estimates and you need to fix it immediately. You go back to your desk. At 7 PM you switch over to Associate #1's work, and Associate #2 hounds you again. After you finish Associate #1's work, your stomach rebels and you tell Associate #2 that you haven't eaten all day. He shrugs. You order. You work on his stuff. When the food arrives, you shovel it in at your desk. Associate #2 stands over you, watching you eat and finding problems with your work, insinuating that you're an idiot and a waste of space. At 12:30 you're exhausted and no longer functioning well, so he tells you, disgustedly, to go home and come back in a better condition, because this was a wasted day and tomorrow you'll have to make up for all the time you spent fucking around today.
You go home. You sleep. That's the worst day I've had in IB. (Bear in mind that the night before was the all-nighter. Life is worse after an all-nighter, not before.)
nicely done.
that does sound like a bad day. i cringed after reading this story. this sounds like a classic 1st or 2nd year story....
my God...
Miss Ind, your story sounds like you are in the Sahara and you just see the hills and there is no ending.
You can do it, though, I am rooting for ya!
and that is why i'm not that eager to get in at the analyst level.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
by "not eager" you mean "applied to 50 banks" right asp monkey?
no...I mean that I'm not that upset about my crappy chances at the analyst level, because frankly I'm not that eager at this point. I can go on and on, about the negatives of being an analyst and how its not detrimental, but I'll spare you.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
i think annoyingmonkey is missing one key difference about people that become analysts and people that become associates. the majority of the people that become analysts use it as a training program to get into better jobs (i.e. PE/HF/VC/etc.)
most of the people that get into ib at the associate level are considered by the firm to be "bankers in training", meaning they expect them to stay the course.
so unless one feels like staying in IB for their entire career (which isn't that appealing considering alternative careers), then not being able to get into IB as an analyst is a pretty big loss. sorry, kid.
by the way, i got into a BB IB from a non-target (as did many many others), so don't expect any sympathy from me about how it is impossible to get in.
Well said.
Stop making excuses for yourself aspmonkey. It's one thing to admit you can't get in as an analyst and try to get into the field after MBA... it's another to lie to yourself and in the process deter new readers in a similar predicament from trying.
nikki, I'm sure the fact that you are a woman...had NOTHING to do with your chances. And I'm sure you had an internship to go along with that cunt. Oh and here is a newsflash sweetheart, I do plan to do banking long term down the line eventually. Which I'm pretty sure I've said like a hundred times before.
oh and are you going to sit there with a straight face and tell me someone that is an associate won't have the opportunities to move into HF/PE/VC/corp etc if they decide its not for them? What are you retarded?
And yes not getting into IB is a loss if you want to be the whole PE by 24 thing, but once you put into perspective that you have your whole life ahead of you to have a succesfull career, giving up your youth just to be 2 years ahead of the curve is a pretty big sacrifice.
See thats the thing with me, I stay positive because I don't want to waste my life worrying about past failures. Gotta roll with those punches.
And nanao, I admitted that fact like hundred times before...do you know how annoying it is to keep repeating myself? But I'll repeat it once again, if I had the chance I'd do banking at the analyst level because its a great opportunity...but not getting in is not a crushing defeat for me.
As far as deterring others...know what? GOOD! ...too many people go into IB with dollar signs in their eyes. If my tirades will show them a different perspective, compared to the things they hear from recruiters and current analysts on this board, who want to justify their current shitty existance by telling everyone that you gotta do IB or you fail in life, then good. Maybe they'll think about their decision to sacrifice 2 years of their life one more time.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
What's with the sexist comment? If nikki got into a BB because of her intership, that's to her own credit. You have only yourself to blame for your failures. Wisen up.
Btw, I'm from a non-target as well. And I'll be starting work with a BB IBD come next July. And yes, I did an internship with JPM this summer.
It's your attitude that determinds your altitude in life.
women have it easier when it comes to interviews, because the people interviewing think they'll get into their pants.
attitude is a good thing, but its not the sole determinent of altitude, its 25% attitude, 25% luck, 25% planning, and 25% connections, and I'm sure there are a few others that i've missed.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
Seriously aspmonkey, I have never joined in the fray when the others were flogging you. But I implore you to think twice before making a post. With every mindless sexist comment that you make, it just goes to highlight your level of immaturity and adds to the irk of other people.
nikki, 1 word internships. it may be harder but its not impossible my excuse? Lets see, I spent half a day working on a school project, and the other half of the day working on my car, then I worked out for 2 hours...EXCUSE ME for not wanting to go to the same old clubs and parties where you can't even hear yourself talk. I grew out of that stage loooong ago, I'd much rather just hang out with a few select friends. And frankly I'm tired as hell even for that.
james, I've taken the high road for far too long, if people won't show me the basic human decency and instead choose to treat me like shit and put me down day in and out, then I might as well act the role of a douchebag. And she definetly deserves being called a cunt, she's been rubbing that whole "I'm an analyst" thing day in and day out.
And before you insuniate, "oh you aren't cut out for banking since you can't take other people throwing shit at you", quiet the contrary, thats professional life, it comes with the territory. My personal life on the other hand, I do not take shit from anybody.
People mistake kindness for weakness.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
did you just call this board your "personal life"? wow.
must have been choice quotes like the one above that really helped you network with alumni and get all those interviews.anyway, thanks for the laughs, and helping to keep my entire group of analysts awake. i'm off. have fun with your "select group of friends".
oh and nikki, the fact that you insunniate that I should be out whoring it up at clubs, just shows what a loser you were in college. You've spent your college years on the sidelines looking at other people have fun, and now you think thats what everyone should be doing.
If you've been to a club even twice, you'd realize what a waste of time it is. Don't get me wrong, its ok to go out once in a while to go pick up that club slut, but to go there every single weekend? Gets old.
But dont' get me wrong, you might've been the "cool" girl going to clubs day in and day out during college, but if you are still stuck at that stage, at your age...well thats just sad and pathetic.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
bitch can't you read? I said I'm tired. I don't have to justify myself to anyone. You might go out for image sake, but me, I could give a rat's ass what other people think of me. As long as you don't cross the line. Once you get physical, I respond in kind.
personal life = anything other than business life...so yes its personal life.
and choice words like that is why you deserve to be called a cunt. And its pretty hard to network when you don't have banks coming to your school for info sessions etc. Oh and I'm sure someone will bring up the "If you really wanted it, you'd harass people at bars asking them if they know anyone in banking"..but I guess that just proves my point that I wasn't that eager to get in at analyst level. I gave it a shot, didn't work, big deal, I knew the chances were slim starting out, and they grew even slimmer as I learned more and more about the profile the banks want.
p.s. get aids, and I feel sorry that this is what passes for humor among analysts.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
don't work up a frenzy and pop a zit, kid. go to sleep
You know someone doesn't have a comeback when they resort to vulgarity. I certainly hope you don't use that kind of vocabulary if and when you do land your one interview someday in the distant future.
As for giving people a different perspective (from one of your past posts), that's not quite true. While it's understandable that students are often very clueless about IB and want to get in blindly for the hype - the money and the prestige, you're just simply bitching about how hard it is to get into IB without internships and coming from a non-target because you struck out 50 times. Even if you can't do it with those circumstances, there are others that can (i.e. people with better work experience, but not an internship, people with better attitudes and people who network with recruiters).
Ever thought about what would happen if your resume and identity got out to this forum? This kind of shit (i.e. your obvious disdain and disrespect for women) can easily blacklist you. I've seen it happen (people that don't make a shortlist because their peers who were summer analysts at a bank told their employers these people are idiots and jerkoffs).
Instead, why not try and build connections here? Or better yet, why not try to network with alums with all this extra time of yours? If not for the sake of becoming an analyst since you pretty much convinced yourself you're not 'eager' to 'waste' your first two years of youth posting on forums, do it to make sure you'll know people down the road. And if can't get into IB now, and as you said in past posts you will look into consulting after you're done school, why not ask the people in consulting for help?
I'm pretty confident though, if you don't have the work experience to get into smaller banks, you won't have much better luck with consulting.
Sounds like fun...I can't wait
nikki, i'm glad you think its funny, but I'm not kidding, are you going to stand there and let people punch/push you w/o responding? Get a backbone sheesh.
nanao: I honestly don't care about impressing either of you. Vulgarity is part of life, and if you look at my previous posts I was kinda posting like you "Be nice, don't curse"...but that was back when I thought this was a civilized forum with prestigious ibankers.
And are you retarded or just plain stupid...to think someone would curse like that in the interview?
Are you from a non-target yourself? If not, don't preach me about how anything is possible. Non-targets need to fit the profile to a T, why? Because there are a thousand other applicants who'll match the profile. So yes its possible to get an interview without an internship, but unless you have a 4.0 and a ton of experience, its not gonna happen. You know what every single rejection letter I got said? "You need relevant work experience". I really think you aren't from a non-target, because if you were, you'd know that its pretty hard to network with recruiters that don't come to your school.
As far as my resume getting out? Someone already threatened me with that before. Maybe it was you, since the person was a spineless faggot who had to use an AE to do it. Oh and fyi, threats like that are considered harassment.
Why network now when all banks finished hiring? Not going to do me any good, and my school doesn't have the network for it anyways. I know a few people who got full time offers, so I have some networks already. As far as networking with people on this forum? Yeah right, like you said yourself, I don't want to be blacklisted, so I'm not going to send anyone here my resume, because people on this forum have continously proven how petty they are.
Consulting after school? What are you retarded? You gotta apply at the same time as IB. As far as needing work expereince for smaller banks vs consulting? There is a tiny difference, smaller banks want you to have Financial analyst intern experience, so that you can hit the ground running and they wouldn't need to train you.
Consulting on the other hand, its not as important. (dont' get me wrong its important, but not to the degree of IB).
As far as asking for help? Like I said before, I'm not going to use anyone from this forum. Its too easy to pretend you are a different person. I can make an alter-ego with 20 posts claiming I'm a VP at Goldman, and everyone will think that I am, and will take my posts seriosly. Just look at Dan Bush, he claimed to be an analyst, and everyone bent over backwards agreeing with him.
Maybe not managment consulting, but there are other options. The important thing is to keep your eyes on the goal, you'll get there eventually. The biggest problem for college students is getting that first job, after that sky is the limit.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
You seem to like accusing people of being retarded, which I find hilarious because it's like grade 3 all over again. But nevertheless, I'll go through your rant.
I wasn't implying you would swear during interviews (dumbass) I'm saying you might want to keep your attitude in check. Peers I know who had a lot of interviews still got shut out because they were: too awkward, too aggressive, unsophisticated, etc. So even if you did miraculously land an interview now, chances of getting dinged are still high.
I'm Canadian, so I'm not 100% sure what it means to be a non-target school. I would have thought a non-target school means that banks don't bother coming to info sessions nor post positions with the school's career center. But you did mention in another post of going to info sessions - so perhaps you shouldn't be complaining so much because some banks did consider people from your school. Anyway, since you're from the U.S. (or if anyone cares to fill me in on this) why don't you define non-target for me.
I'm from an undergrad b-school that's relatively well-respected in Canada and all the big Canadian firms (RBC, CIBC, TD, etc.) come to recruit. It's still second-tier compared to Wharton or liberal arts students at Harvard, Yale, Standford and etc. But we have GS, CS, UBS to come for info sessions for their Toronto, LA and NYC offices. Some other U.S. banks (bb and mm) occasionally post but don't often make the visit.
As for the resume issue, no I wasn't the one that threatened you and my last post wasn't a threat, it was a word of advice (because like I said, I've seen it happen). Though in your case, it might be good that you get caught, frankly I'm a bit disturbed by your views on women.
Networking with people on this forum - I meant, you should probably start asking people for advice rather than posting your frustration. True, people could be making up personas for themselves, but I guess that's all the more reason to network in real life rather than wallow around in forums all the time.
Consulting: you said this yourself when I asked you in a different post what you plan on going into after college is done if not IB. Of course I know they conduct interviews at the same time, but I was talking from your perspective. If you do plan on going to get your MBA and landing a summer internship at that time, you'll still need pretty good work experience to differentiate yourself.
As for smaller banks wanting people who can hit the ground running... well, a lot of small banks (that are not prestigious or well-known) don't have the clout to attract strong candidates. Instead, they would be looking to see if people had work experience elsewhere (not necessarily finance) that has transferable experience and skills.
Anyway, yeah, you wouldn't be able to land a consulting job in your state right now. From your networks now however, you could very well try to get into commercial banking or a rotational program. You really don't have the option to be picky, just work your way up.
aspiringmonkey, just shut up already.
take it to the off-topic forum and stop polluting the threads.
How did this thread degenerate from a Day in the life to a flame war?
I don't know, but from skimming the thread I think it might have something to do with that guy with the Stewie avatar. Just a guess.
yes banks came to my school, to recruit for operations.
non-target school = banks don't come to your school to recruit for IBD. And the alumni network is ridicliously small
guess what, that makes you a target school
No you are not disturbed by my views on women, you are disturbed by my views on whores.
When I need advice I ask for it, look thru my posts. At this point though, I really don't have any questions left
Yes good work experience will help, but if you come from a good school, the smaller banks are much more willing to give you a shot. I don't need to start out at Goldman.
No, they pretty much told me outright when I pushed the issue, we want people with IBD internships because we don't have the resources to train you.
I know I don't have many options, which is why I'll probably jump on the first offer that comes along and work my way up.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
aspiringmonkey you ever thought of finding out when the BB recruiters goto the target schools and then maybe going there and sit in during the information session?
Probably not because your too busy day dreaming and posting crap on here.
nanao, do you go to western?
Yup
Same at my school. In August I had 4 BB ibd interviews. Extended two offers. summer internship was in equity research (at a BB, also got an offer), not banking.
It can be done. Have a good attitude (it may be too late for you), and work hard. Think positively not negatively. Express your motivations clearly, articulate yourself well, and nurture relationships.
As others have said, you only have yourself to blame. You had 3 years to acquire "relevant work experience", and to develop a strong network. Perhaps if you had identified your interest earlier you would have had opportunities presented to you.
coogi, I didn't decide on being in ibanking until september of this year. As far as internships go, its pretty hard to get an internship when you have summer courses.
and yes japany is right, treat me with respect and we'll get along, treat me like shit...well I'll just have to respond in kind.
I have been on this forum for a while- although posting infrequently. At the risk of making myself unwelcome at an early posting career, I am a little disturbed by the fact that everyone here gangs up on asp-monkey. As a female, I understand the offense taken at some of his remarks, but the responses here seem very exaggerated.
Just in this thread for example, it wasn't a-monkey that instigated the flame. (although he did follow with inappropriate remarks, it was mostly other posters that put him on the defensive)
It seems inconsistent for people to talk about his negativity and not being more positive towards analyst-banking when people here, at the same time, disparage him all the time for his failed attempts.
Please, I thought junior-high was over. Give asp-monkey a chance. Thanks
(and no, I am not asp-monkey posting undercover)
With very few exceptions, most people who put in the time and effort and "sacrificed" their youth are much more successful, happier, and financially secured down the road, especially when it's time to have a family. Kids are very f**cking expensive nowadays. That's the way of life. You sacrifice something, you gain something else.
aspmonkey you go to rutgers, right?
It
2 things
Which Western are you referring to? (WWU?)
Regarding the aggresiveness, that is advice I wish somebody would have told me before getting into the process. Fortunately, I got an offer from a solid bank...but I threw away opportunities at 4-5 major BB's mainly because of my aggresiveness. Be VERY aware of this issue on the West Coast as well!
University of Western Ontario
They have a business school for undergrad and MBA called Richard Ivey School of Business (Ivey).
coolgi, exactly, this is why I'm not that suprised at the outcome. But since I decided that this is what I want to do, I'll try to get in at the associate level after I get my MBA.
buyside, there may be alumns, but they aren't listed on the networking website.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
.....count for anything anyway?
From the outside anyone can say anything - means diddy shit.
From the ghetto....
Yep. Ghetto kid representing here. Southside Atlanta copkillers, bitchAZ. Fo real.
Ahem. Sorry. No, I'm a perfectly respectable banker.
Gotta say, Aspiringmonkey's got no kind of street/Street cred. Given that he doesn't want to go into IB for at least another few years, one wonders why he's still wasting time here.
I don't wonder at all. I know very well that it's because he's a faggot with no life. He already admitted that he never gets laid.
please point me to where I said I don't get laid
Ivey is a legit school.. I had an entre. mgmt class where the prof (an HBS hater) stuck exclusively to ivey materials.
Majority of our homework cases are from Ivey, but we do use a lot of HBS cases and readings too. They're really long though and the information is scattered everywhere in 10-20 paged cases... it's a bitch when you get a HBS case for exams.
I think its pretty obvious, that I've passed on the whole IB thing at the analyst level, stop giving advice.
This is like telling an olympic runner who finishes in 4th place...WORK HARDER YOU CAN STILL WIN IT!
p.s. k
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
aspiringmonkey - what the f' would you know?
You have the luxury if conjecturing as to whether you would go into IB or not... talk about privileged lifestyle and being spoilt. When you are.......
From the ghetto....
......then you have to do this shit to life yo'self up and out. Don't go round putting pussy ass doubts into people's heads - some of us need to do this 'cos life panned out this way (I got folks I need to take care of - I need my
[quote=Tier2Sta]aspiringmonkey - what the f' would you know?
You have the luxury if conjecturing as to whether you would go into IB or not... talk about privileged lifestyle and being spoilt. When you are.......
From the ghetto....
......then you have to do this shit to life yo'self up and out. Don't go round putting pussy ass doubts into people's heads - some of us need to do this 'cos life panned out this way (I got folks I need to take care of - I need my
South London massif...brrrrrap!
Voluptate qui harum ab ex maxime. Tempora at nulla alias voluptatum ut. Cumque sit vero quos voluptas omnis. Aut error est quisquam est impedit ipsam.
Voluptatibus rerum non eligendi dolorem facilis ipsam. Rerum quidem magnam corporis minima eos a. Quis in est eius iusto.
Minima blanditiis dicta natus ullam debitis explicabo in. Quis quidem sed non officia illum qui explicabo soluta. Cumque similique sit molestiae sapiente reiciendis autem aut error. Enim neque fuga nulla ipsum suscipit mollitia quia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Praesentium eum eligendi qui suscipit odit quia odit. Dolores sint dolore id. Dolores dolore ullam quos voluptas excepturi voluptatibus.
Adipisci aut aliquid et odio et. Est architecto provident ipsam distinctio corrupti aut ut. Consectetur sit qui ut debitis numquam sequi. Et explicabo illo quia aut explicabo odio cum dolorem. Provident aspernatur animi voluptatibus placeat aut.
Mollitia unde cum reiciendis vitae et quaerat voluptatem. Minima aspernatur dolores temporibus perspiciatis ut. Pariatur exercitationem aut nobis est aut libero sapiente. Cupiditate beatae laboriosam fugit laborum nulla fuga nisi. Qui fugiat aliquid omnis velit nulla atque. Enim cumque consequatur nesciunt sit delectus eaque.
Sit doloremque omnis voluptatem vel corporis. Quia et consequatur perspiciatis voluptas. Quo in distinctio hic eum sunt velit quo consequatur.
Sunt et autem est voluptates neque. Vel et vitae tempora quam magnam. Illo sed sit omnis eos in.
Ut autem quo quibusdam non. Mollitia hic dolorem qui officiis. Est eaque perspiciatis consequuntur at ad. Dolores magnam fugiat maiores eos in sit. Commodi eum ullam asperiores nihil doloribus nulla aliquid. Sit beatae possimus est qui sit sed.
Itaque dolores sint consequatur necessitatibus nihil maxime. Delectus necessitatibus quam perspiciatis inventore voluptatibus et. Molestiae ipsum aut cum qui. Quo nihil consectetur modi accusamus rerum laborum nihil error.