Three CRITICAL Mistakes That Will Cost You The Return Offer As A Summer Intern
Treat your 10-Week internship like the bachelor. Don’t reveal your flaws until after the final rose…
You have TEN short weeks to make an impression. Like test driving a car - the bank can only learn so much about you in the limited time. Don’t give them a reason to think you’d be a wild card.
The director of my school’s Banking Org. (30yr Industry Vet) said these are the top 3 things that will get your name crossed off the return list. Helped me secure my return last summer.
Mistake #1: Complaining
The 3AM late-office nights don’t magically end in August for full-timers.
If word gets around that you have a bad attitude - your reputation will be toast.
I made sure to reflect positive energy in tone of voice & body language especially when assigned a task late at night. This goes for making negative comments about other interns / full-timers as well.
Mistake #2: Late & Unprepared
This isn’t college - 9PM start doesn’t really mean get there fashionably late @ 10:45PM…
Be known as someone who is first to every conference room, virtual meeting lobby, intern event, catch-up conversation, coffee chat, etc.
I would always bring enough printed copies of the deliverable we were going over.
Be ready to take notes. Carry that moleskin everywhere. Make sure you capture the “To-Do’s”
Mistake #3: Sloppy Joe
When a teacher gives you a rubric for a school project - you make hitting those requirements #1.
Bankers “Grade” you based on your attention to detail since they don’t expect much else.
If you make a mistake - log it in your notebook & don’t make it again.
I’d always print deliverables and double (triple) check periods in footnotes, page numbers, etc.
Great information!
Would add that culture is really really important. Don't be a hardo. Most interns are able to complete the work well enough, but some take every conversation way too seriously. Be attentive, be respectful, ask good questions, work hard, but be a human,
During my SA stint, 2 interns from my group didn't receive return offers because they couldn't chill with the group. When we'd go to drinks or to some thursday night bar, they'd continue to talk about work/deals instead of shooting the shit. As an intern, I became close with my analysts/associates/VP because we were able to connect over sports/life/women, as dumb as that sounds.
Obviously don't do anything dumb like getting blackout drunk at an HR event, but if your group is going out, enjoy the night with them.
I remember when I was an intern and the MD said if you get 90% in a class you don't care cause it is still a 4.0, but here if you get 90% you still messed up 10% of the work
damn good phrase Ima so use that one day lol
Do not eat the foot in fridge, that is rule number 1
Omnis odit tempora veniam. Reprehenderit rerum et omnis architecto minus.
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