32 Comments
 
Best Response

Something to bite down on.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Bring one of those pens that has a hidden microphone and camera. You'll meet alot of people and forget their names, and this should be helpful. At the end of the day, print out headshots of everyone you met and hang them on the wall with name tags beneath them and memorize it (or you could make a book).

I'm just kidding (creepy huh), but try to remember everyone's name that you meet -- it is difficult, but the quicker you can say "hey Joe" instead of "sup man" it brings a little more camaraderie.

On another note, I'd probably bring a couple pens, a pocket sized notepad, and also a USB port that had useful materials you have ammassed (e.g. old models, pitch books, excel keyboard shortcut lists, etc.)

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 
CountryUnderdogOn another note, I'd probably bring a couple pens, a pocket sized notepad, and also a USB port that had useful materials you have ammassed (e.g. old models, pitch books, excel keyboard shortcut lists, etc.)

They have supply closets and load your desk with shit before you arrive so there is no need for pens and a notepad... A USB drive makes no sense, please tell me what bank allows you to take stuff off your own usb drive onto their company computer.

You don't need anything, just arrive on time, look cleaned up and be ready for a boring ass day.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahright
CountryUnderdogOn another note, I'd probably bring a couple pens, a pocket sized notepad, and also a USB port that had useful materials you have ammassed (e.g. old models, pitch books, excel keyboard shortcut lists, etc.)

They have supply closets and load your desk with shit before you arrive so there is no need for pens and a notepad... A USB drive makes no sense, please tell me what bank allows you to take stuff off your own usb drive onto their company computer.

You don't need anything, just arrive on time, look cleaned up and be ready for a boring ass day.

I should have been more clear -- in regards to the USB, I mean study things you have ammassed in school. For instance, I have an excel file that lays out keyboard shortcuts (just like the ones you get during training), and I use it to this day and constantly add to it. No one has been bothered by it, but then again I guess I didn't ask permission. As long as I put the PW on the port I didn't think it was a problem, and to be clear I'm not stealing anyone's models or books.

Edit: in regards to supplies, yes that is true, but you don't always go to your desk first thing. But overall he is right, OP is obsessing -- just show up.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

They will give you just about everything you'll need. I'd bring any documentation they asked you to bring for I-9 purposes and a bag of some sort. Not sure if they are still handing out computer bags, but I'll assume you aren't going to walk into work without some paper, writing utensils, and some personal items like a toothbrush/paste, OTC meds, phone charger, etc.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

Bring your balls*, have your shoes polished, make sure your shirt/suit is crisp, your tie is tied right, have curiosity, and make sure after you meet someone to right down their name and something to remember them by. Makes it a lot easier when your meet them the second time to remember their name (well, if you are absolutely horrible with names like I am). And carry a small notepad around. I got so many things thrown at me my first day, I couldn't have remembered half of it without writing it down.

*This first step should be skipped if you are a girl.

I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
 

a copy of this: http://www.amazon.com/Tearing-Down-Walls-Financial-Journal/dp/B0008EH6KK

ask for it to get autographed when you're there (@DickFuld you might appreciate this)

in all seriousness, @AcctNerd is right, just bring the basics. If it were me, I'd skip everything but writing utensils, paper, calculator, and water bottle for the first day. bring the meds, phone charger, extra tie, tide pen, etc throughout the week.

 

I tend to be over prepared, but definitely bring the basics.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

In my experience, every time any 2 or more Citi people get together in a social setting, they start talking about Citi and grumbling about certain elements of the bureaucracy and politics that Citi, as a large organisation, inevitably has.

I've seen this more from Citi people than from people from any other bank.

Key tip for you as a newcomer - AVOID THESE CONVERSATIONS. You may be tempted to hear the "inside story", but these sort of conversations will likely make you jaded long before your time.

Common indicator one of these conversations is coming - any time a Citi person refers to Citi as "Shitty Bank".

Your key skill at this stage in your career is your enthusiasm. To harness that properly, you need to avoid becoming jaded, lest you become an unenthusiastic banker whose only "skill" is cynicism.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Or joining in can make him realistic and lower his expectations that he'll have any type of social life outside the office his first year. :)

 

Literally nothing except passport.... way overthinking it.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Yeah, okay, bring a pen and whatever the hell else you need. Lunch? Snack? An apple? Whatever.

The most important thing you need to bring on your first day is a good night's rest. Because you will never ever ever have that again. Make sure you're getting 6 hours a night through training; you want to hit the ground running when you're through it and no better way than making sure you absorb all of the info, names, and faces that you can.

Plus, it helps you not look like shit. You really don't want to look like shit on your first day.

 
Brimfire

Yeah, okay, bring a pen and whatever the hell else you need. Lunch? Snack? An apple? Whatever.

The most important thing you need to bring on your first day is a good night's rest. Because you will never ever ever have that again. Make sure you're getting 6 hours a night through training; you want to hit the ground running when you're through it and no better way than making sure you absorb all of the info, names, and faces that you can.

Plus, it helps you not look like shit. You really don't want to look like shit on your first day.

What should we wear? Suit with or without the tie? Or just wear a dress shirt and pants?

 

Maxime dolores autem numquam vero et autem. Nulla eveniet nemo et id deserunt voluptatem ea. Dicta ducimus voluptas quia et deleniti. Eius optio dolor cum deserunt nulla maxime voluptatem.

 

Autem optio delectus maiores. Dolores et ex consequuntur rerum nulla qui rerum. Totam et qui laborum adipisci a.

A error magni ullam neque dolorem sed. Qui fugiat recusandae nesciunt earum sapiente nisi et.

Est ut et dolorem voluptatibus. Id veniam voluptate esse. Ipsa qui ut eum eos est provident. Quia natus doloribus magnam non beatae voluptatem architecto.

Quia voluptate suscipit saepe eaque et saepe. Earum illo aut expedita accusamus impedit ipsam est error. Tenetur deleniti earum ex iusto consectetur inventore. Nisi veniam voluptas ex amet. Non culpa est qui iure omnis. Ipsa voluptatem rerum molestiae error exercitationem corporis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”