...other than proving how witty you are by saying getting into the industry, what are some of your biggest regrets or mistakes made during your first day/week/month as an analyst? Ideally some of us young'ns could avoid making the same mistakes, but at a minimum we can all have a good laugh.
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Point #5 is very good... Don't say anything to anyone that you wouldn't want the entire office hearing. It gets creepy how fast hearsay spreads. I got called out in a review during my SA for a joke I said to a guy I considered a really close friend.
Good thread, would also like to hear more suggestions.
don't get too drunk
Don't drink Monday-Wed night, Thursday night maybe, but make sure to let loose on weekends.
But on top of that - check your work twice and check alignment!
Many times when a client looks over a model, its a printed/hard copy version and alignment really stands out.
Also, make sure you branch out and make as many friends in your class as possible during orientation.
Don't sleep with people in your office, it will come back to haunt you whether you believe it or not.
Print your work is the best advice ever. It really helps to see it off the computer when checking alighment, dollar sign, formatting etc
-stupid mistakes that a spelling-check fails to catch. -don't ask for work during your fist week. you will get a ton eventually -be neutral, don't side with anybody. certainly do not express your opinion on sensitive issues (i.e. politics or your colleague). -check your work thoroughly (this is probably the most important advice...smiple, but yet shit happenes all the time)
Best, SoulSearching
[And yes, I know this isn't work. Just thought it was funny.]
-In general, keep your mouth shut about anything and everything. Do not speak unless spoken to and give the minimal amount of information needed to answer a question.
One time I got screwed over because I said to much to our staffer (something about being too busy) and lo and behold, all the senior bankers were talking about it and thought poorly of me.
NEVER say anything controversial or anything that could potentially be perceived in a bad way by anyone.
One exception: if you have someone you absolutely trust 100%, this MIGHT be ok. I had a really good friend who was planning to leave early and I knew far in advance because he trusted me and knew I wouldn't screw him over. Right now I know of similar situations because people trust me. If I were going to leave early, though, I wouldn't tell anyone.
-Triple check and print out your work and have someone else look at it, at least at first.
A bunch of times in the beginning I screwed up by being overly confident of my skills. Everyone makes mistakes - just make sure you don't make them in front of anyone. When in doubt, review things with other Analysts before submitting work.
-Don't listen to the under-performers - find the best people and take their advice.
I made the mistake of listening too closely to this one guy in our group who was just not that good and ended up leaving mid-way through my first year. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's good and who's not when you first start, but he distorted my views about a lot of things and I actually did much better after he left.
Might think of more later...
I have to say.. the pictures that get picked for these topics have made me burst out laughing.
This pictures is hilarious
Either you sling crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot
I second that. LOL
I second don't sleep with anyone that works with you. It may seem like fun now, but it never ends well. At best, it's awkward every day after you break up and everyone knows about it. At worst, you get fired, and everyone knows about it.
the recs to speak only when ur spoken to are TOO true. of course, this differs by group, but to be on the safe side, don't overspeak (and definitely don't seem over-confident). ur coworkers won't touch u with a five feet pole if they get a back first impression.
DON'T TALK BACK! Even if the other person is a complete retard, just say OK and do it. In my first months I worked a lot with an associate, who was extremely dumb and gave me wrong ways to calculate diluted EV (didn't know the treasury stock method). When I tried to argue with her a couple of times (very calmly I said that I thought that wasn't the right way), she seemed OK with it, but then told the Director on the project, who told my piece of shit staffer, who pulled me into a room and tore me a new one for arguing with my superiors and told me to NEVER talk back.
Dang, I hate that fucking group....
along the same lines, never cut off a banker when he/she is speaking, e.g. when asked a question that you know off the bat.
let them finish!
I'm accustomed to being one of the smartest people in the room, but after my first month, I've been knocked down a few notches...I talked backed to the Head of my Group. He then proceeded to give me a dirty look, lecture me on the STRICT MERITOCRACY of the investment banking industry. His "lecture" echoed over the whole floor, and Salem is right, never ever talk back, not even to another analyst!
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