Does not being hardcore about IB hurt you as an Analyst?

I have met many prospective analysts as well as soon-to-be analysts and current first years. Of all those, many seem to be very intense and hardcore about banking. I will be working for a large IB but I have never been that intense about banking. Honestly, I find it a little annoying.

Now, I'm beginning to wonder (and maybe even worry) about whether this laid back attitude will hurt me. Will Assoc's, VP's and MD's take this as disinterest? Will it affect me negatively in terms of what fellow analysts think?

Please understand that when I say laid back, I don't mean lazy.

 

beyond being able to perform well and being dedicated to your job, I don't see why any seniors would want you to be hardcore about banking. Firms want to recruit people who can fit in and are well rounded, most of the time that means someone who can have a decent converstion (about sports, golf... girls, & other stuff) that's not work related.

You might not become best friends with the uber hardcore-banker passive agressive ones.

 
Best Response

I would think/hope that most IBD Analysts in BB banks are not the hardcore passive aggressive ones. I intern with one such Analyst at a boutique and it is the biggest pain in the ass. The guy speaks in short commands, never smiles, doesn't say bless you when I sneeze, and answers every question with a sarcastic comment. Of course to the MD he is a big kiss-ass. But I think this type of shit would not fly at a bulge bracket, where you have to interact with many people and a shitty attitude will not help.

So to answer your question, I think it is the opposite. Being a hardcore banker will probably hurt you if nobody enjoys interacting with you. I'm sure you will find some of these bankers, but they will be the ones that everyone talks about behind their back.

 

I think the most well regarded analysts are those who don't seem hardcore at all and yet produce perfect work. Do what you need to in order to grasp all the concepts down and be able to make turns quickly and accurately, but still maintain a laid-back attitude. Kinda like the "closest studier" in school. Of course, don't make an effort to fit this image if it compromises your work, but I'm saying the most well liked analysts are those who are fun but are good at their job.

 

The best analysts are hardcore about their work. They produce perfect work in very little time. Good analysts make everyone's life easier, this means they have to also be easy to get along with and fun.

Most of the best, and smartest, analysts I've ever known didn't really care about banking per se, but they did care about their work and having a good career long term.

--There are stupid questions, so think first.
 
PowerMonkey:
The best analysts are hardcore about their work. They produce perfect work in very little time. Good analysts make everyone's life easier, this means they have to also be easy to get along with and fun.

Most of the best, and smartest, analysts I've ever known didn't really care about banking per se, but they did care about their work and having a good career long term.

Been there and agree with PowerMonkey on this.

 
PowerMonkey:
The best analysts are hardcore about their work. They produce perfect work in very little time. Good analysts make everyone's life easier, this means they have to also be easy to get along with and fun.

Most of the best, and smartest, analysts I've ever known didn't really care about banking per se, but they did care about their work and having a good career long term.

Absolutely agree. Most GREAT analysts did not really care about banking, rather, they REALLY cared about the quality of their work. These analysts would have done well in banking, consulting, commericial banking, or any other analytical role.

 

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