Characteristics of those in I-Banking
The overwhelming impression here is that investment banking is suited for aggressive, confident alpha males. Deal-makers, rainmakers, Ari Gold types.
Why is it then that many analyst classes are filled with Asian females of all people. This won't be politically correct, but this group is not known for the aforementioned traits. Of course, some of them are quite outgoing and confident, but not the overwhelming majority including many I've met going into the field. Many I've spoken with have mediocre communication skills.
Also, their population is even greater at GS and MS vs. the lower ranked banks.
At the school I'm at, banking is typically looked down upon. Someone who couldn't get a top bizdev job at a startup or get into MBB/buyside right away. Many going into it are the meek type who can get As in econ classes but can't think strategically or do much else. Not my view, just one held by most at this school.
How does the image of banking portrayed here match up with the image I've been exposed to? How do the people here and Asian females work together?
The ranks of the Joy Luck Investment Club grows with every day that passes. I'm still convinced it's all an elaborate plan by the Chinese to infltrate the lofty executive offices of high powered world leading investments banks and bring the financial system and the West to its knees.
ChinadidtheFinancialCrisisInvestment banking, at the analyst level, is doing what you're told and not whining about it. You process requests for those above you and sit for long, long periods of time. Sometimes you go home and sleep. Aggression and confidence are only helpful to keeping you working at some ungodly hour of the night/morning when you're questioning the meaning of your existence.
I'd love to be in an office with more Asian chicks, assuming they are attractive, rather than in one with more bald, fat, tired, angry white dudes.
the impression I’ve gotten so far (I’m a SA at a MM bank) is that 90% of the I-banking analysts are not aggressive or alpha males types but mostly passive and just good at sitting and doing work for hours on end. But these are all generalizations and really don’t provide any true insight…there’s different personalities everywhere at each bank.
I'd say that most odf the bankers I know aren't necessarily Type A Alpha Males, but they do have a lot of drive. They can stick with something, slug through it and see it to the end.
LOL @Zweihander
Very true about what an analyst does, but isn't a goal (at least for some analysts) to get promoted? I doubt analysts do what they do as en end in itself (at least I hope not) -- it's a means to an end. Being a bitch for 2 years and being comfortable with extremely delayed, uncertain gratification takes some mental toughness. Forgive me if I can't see a 100 lb Asian chick who wears Hello Kitty pajamas to bed being an effective MD, no matter how much the job changes her.
And that's why you don't see a lot of Asian MD's...
A lot of it is related to culture and personality
Some just don't have the disposition. It's the same thing even at the MD level -- some are great rainmakers and call in deals left and right (people people) vs. M&A / execution guys -- sure they'll do the deal, but they're not bringing in the business.
Look, let's be real here: You're not a rainmaker as an analyst. There's a huge weeding out process for entry level analyst positions. But what can they really assess you on for entry level? There's not much in the grand scheme of things. So they look mostly at your GPA and what school you went to. Neither are good indicators of who's gonna be a rainmaker, in my opinion. Undergrad GPA is determined mostly by your ability to study hard for long hours. The school you go to is mostly determined by the same thing in high school. Nobody's breaking new ground by getting a 4.0 at HYP. And Asians are great at working hard. The bright ones are incredibly hard workers. That's great and all for being an analyst, but your personality matters the most for making deals and (no racist) many of the smart Asian girls I've known and worked with severely lack in that area. It's not that they're bad people, but frankly they are boring. I think most people would rather make a deal with someone who's interesting than someone who can spend 14 hours making a perfect spreadsheet.
While everybody on here is kvetching about the Asian girls, I think it's great. I love Asian women, gorgeous, driven and smart. Plus if you marry one your kids will go to HYP. BTW I'm a type A alpha male and I've noticed most rainmakers are schmoozers with an agressive streak.
Type-A Personality Lack of Imagination Risk Adverse
those girls aren't there to become MDs, they are there to snatch a husband :)
are they any black females?
The A-type banker stereotype has much more to do with the MD level. Those people usually get in as associates, after an MBA and most of them have never been analysts. They are weeded out based on sales skills, unlike analysts. Most analysts usually don't progress to the MD level.
I'd argue that many of today's MDs are kinda dorky as well. The type A Wall Street is a thing of the past, unfortunately for some and fortunately for others.
Many analysts eventually go to the buy side. And yes, there are many Asian females in the buy side firms. Alpha male types are much less prevalent on the buy side than on the sell side.
Thanks to this thread, from now on any time a friend of mine is not acting "alpha," my namecalling label of choice will be "Asian female."
attributes/qualities ibanks are looking for? (Originally Posted: 02/26/2007)
What exactly are these attributes/qualities ibanks look for? is it the cliche hard work and perseverance or something less obvious to me?
smarts and doing whatever it takes attitude mostly.
I've heard tall, dark and handsome.
With that in mind - I can't figure out why I was overlooked.
So I'm basically fucked? I'm 5 6 without shoes on and stilettos are out of the question for a man.
hahahaha
hard working/can-do attitude, intelligence, team player - not necessarily in that order.
dark secrets from your past coming back to haunt you mid interview
All they're looking for is you to work like a slave without complaining.
Only two words you should know are "yes massa"
Attitude - you gotta be one of these ppl that just does what it takes (even if it jars you beyond measure) to get a good job done....
You have to be reasonably smart for IB (not a genius) as intellectually it is not all that challenging....
Accuracy in all you do (an attitude that means you strive to be accurate/perform at peak)
From the ghetto....
i) people skills, ii) quant skills, iii) making the most of any opportunity that comes your way.
1) Good looking 2) Good breeding 3) Good Resume 4) Well Spoken
All others will fall by the wayside eventually....
Attention to detail, and stamina.
Why? Because when it's 4am and you haven't slept in 3 days, there's a great temptation to say "Fuck it, I'm pretty sure this is right."
The analyst we're looking for is the one who says, "Goddamn it, I've been up doing this for 3 fucking days without sleep, I'm sure as shit going to make sure I don't fuck it up in the last hour." Then he goes back and checks every number with a calculator, makes sure the footnotes all have periods, the decimal places all line up, the fonts are all correct, and the page titles say the right things. And doesn't go home until he really believes the work is 100% right. And has trouble getting to sleep after all that because he's worried that something slipped through his quality control.
There will be times you're so tired, you'll just want to put your head in your hands and cry. I kid you not. The analysts who pick themselves up and continue to function are the ones who we're looking for.
i hear as long as you get your shit done. :) correctly of course.
oh yeah, can't forget the good looking, unless you are going for GS.
GS is all about the knowledge.
Consequatur sequi odit autem consequuntur dolorum eos. Ipsum architecto possimus dolorem et ea facere repellendus. Earum dolorum qui molestiae adipisci non. Sit adipisci deleniti rerum.
Distinctio velit quis sit animi. Aliquam facere est soluta provident illo fugiat facilis omnis.
Eum eum sit aliquid at aut. Natus minima adipisci dolor libero iste. Voluptas est recusandae laboriosam est autem qui totam sapiente. Error deleniti asperiores aut consectetur. Hic nesciunt est rem ad velit.
Dignissimos repellendus temporibus aliquam voluptatem. Quia sed quasi non a quia. A sit nam iste ullam ratione vitae. Nisi perferendis assumenda placeat ratione molestiae repellendus officiis ut.
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...
Vel impedit omnis est eius vel aliquid. Accusamus cupiditate et aut voluptatum libero sunt quibusdam. Omnis ad asperiores officiis aut.
Eaque enim molestiae ipsam aut dolore porro. Perferendis similique vero error consequatur laborum sit. Temporibus ad voluptates repellat quo soluta consequatur enim modi.