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Highest Ranked Discussions
Title | # of comments | WSO Score* |
I was writing an email to a fellow monkey who is about to start as a banking analyst in the summer. It's been a little over 5 yrs now since I was a wee young first-year analyst in restructuring for one of the <a... 15 things I wish I knew as a first year banking analyst | 104 | 81.04 |
Mod Note (Andy): bumped this back up from winter 2010 and it is still useful, but even more companies and banks are listed in the WSO Company Database (with e-mail... Searching for a Summer Internship? | 107 | 56.07 |
When I did my AMA thread a while back I promised at least one person that I would share my general research process. So here you go...
Every analyst has his/her own way of conducting due diligence. There certainly is no one correct way to come to an investment decision, however, I'd argue... On the Job With Simple As… My Research Process | 100 | 56.00 |
Been a while since I posted so I thought I'd write in especially since we're in the midst of interview season for investment... Acing the investment banking analyst interview | 54 | 52.54 |
Still jet-lagged by 8 hours from a day and a half in London, I haven't slept for a good 48 hours and remembered I owe WSO my process for dissecting a 10-K in the usual form. Before I get right into it, keep in mind every business is different and that will dictate the way you should read... Anatomy of the 10-K | 101 | 52.01 |
There has been a lot of recent discussion on these forums as well as in the media regarding the value of an MBA. As a longtime member of the community and someone who recently made the decision to pursue an MBA, I thought I'd share some thoughts.
You can see my full background story here: ... To anyone considering an MBA | 107 | 47.07 |
Since there aren't any decent/active discussions on the HF forum, I figure I start a thread highlighting the good, bad, and... The Hedge Fund Experience - Good, Bad, Ugly | 201 | 46.01 |
Mod note (Andy): This comment by @"M. Blank" is a response to this thread: Is PE the Best Job in the World? and deserves to go on the homepage for those who didn't see... Thoughts From a Former Navy SEAL | 55 | 44.55 |
Mod Note: This comment is a response to the ContemplatingBanker's post "How to Deal with the Hours" (find this comment lower down on page 2). Patrick called this... Suck it up: 8 Steps to Getting through 100+ Hour Weeks as an IB Analyst | 43 | 43.43 |
A few weeks ago, I shut down my ThinkPad for the last time, turned in my security badge, and said farewell to my colleagues – and to private... How to make VP in Private Equity | 53 | 42.53 |
Moderator Note (Andy): this was originally posted on 8/22/12
As much as it may be stated on this site, networking is one of the key factors in the success of most young professionals in finance. Whether it is gaining valuable advice, or getting a leg up in the hiring... Keep In Touch! Networking Template | 57 | 38.57 |
Mod Note: The very talented author of this post, moneymogul, is also the author of our updated Finance Internship... Week 3 of IBD Internship: The Pitch | 77 | 37.77 |
This idea was discussed within a comment thread a couple month ago but I thought it deserved its own thread just because of how awesome it is.
I wanted to share with you guys a tip that is virtually guaranteed to improve your interviews.
Here's what you do:
1. Arrive at interview... Best interview advice I ever received | 90 | 36.90 |
Mod note: Click here to see all of our q&a's and interviews

Given the... The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions | 280 | 35.80 |
hi guys! hope that you can help! i got a text message really late last night and i was hungry and i got a wicked idea for a company! so i think that combine `txt msg` and `tex mex` to make ... duhduhduh ... www.texmexmsg.com~!
anyways, my idea for company is to make a website that people send... please help me!I want to start a company ^-^ | 50 | 35.50 |
Dear All:
I am sharing my compendium of industry primers, market research reports and strategic presentations.
The list is sorted by year and the format is as follows: line one has the institution name, line two has the report title with page count and line three has the download link.... Industry Primers Ready to Go!!!! | 119 | 35.19 |
I was motivated to make this thread after reading a lot of the other threads in this forum, about why certain top analysts are still on the sell-side. It appears that almost everyone who doesn't work on the buy-side or sell-side, or even a remotely close <span... Here is How Equity Research Works | 89 | 34.89 |
[quote]In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on.[/quote]
-Robert Frost
From the outside, my life right now looks great. I graduated with high honors from one of the world's best universities, completed my banking stint in a top tier group and am... Life Goes On... | 85 | 34.85 |
Like a majority of people who are on this website, I used to come on here and write bullshit about a life partly my own, partly fantasy. I'm now going to uncloak the anonymous man and tell you my story.
My name is Stephen Ridley. I graduated from a top tier British University with a... Life after Investment Banking | 270 | 34.70 |
Plus make sure to see my post How I got a 770 on the GMAT with minimal effort while working banking hours phantombanker's GMAT Study Guide | 38 | 34.38 |
Mod Note: The very talented author of this post, moneymogul, is also the author of our updated Finance Internship... Week 2 of IBD Internship: Hitting the Desk | 73 | 33.73 |
I promised a few people some long overdue wisdom, but haven't had the motivation lately to actually write something up. But after reading this post, I'm inspired to write... What You Should've Done by 21: a Controversial Guide to a Realistic Outlook | 106 | 32.06 |
In the spirit of thanksgiving, I have decided to host a thread where you can ask all you ever wanted about banking or PE. Please feel free to ask away. Former MS M&A / KKR here to field questions | 245 | 31.45 |
In the past few months, I've been approached on a few occasions by college-aged folks asking the typical question: how to succeed on the street from a less-than-stellar undergrad background. It's given me the opportunity to look back on my admittedly short career (6ys since grad)... My not-so-secrets to success | 77 | 30.77 |
Mod note (Andy): "Blast from the past - Best of WSO" - while Eddie is away this month in his place we'll be posting up some of the most popular posts from the past. This was originally posted on 12/26/09
I received a number of PMs asking for advice for... Advice for New Analysts Seeking PE Exits | 68 | 30.68 |
So I've seen a few posts lately asking about mutual funds, asset management gigs, and alternatives to the sell-side out... Life at a Top Asset Manager | 156 | 28.56 |
So summer is winding to a close and recruiting season is rapidly approaching. Monkeys will be dusting off their resumes with the hopes of securing interviews and eventually offers from the jobs of their choosing.
A key aspect to any successful job search is the <span... How to Crush Your Informational Interview | 24 | 27.24 |
There are a couple different paths that you can take as with finance major:

Commercial Banking

Corporate Finance

Financial Planning

Hedge Funds

Insurance

... What investment banking is in simple words and my story | 102 | 27.02 |
Mod note: make sure to see the great comment below by CompBanker
I come from a small town where nobody had ever heard of consulting or IB. I was fortunate enough to attend a top target college (a good Ivy) and land a gig in IB at a <span... Finance Culture - Personalities | 78 | 26.78 |
Mod Note: This post is from Jared's Daily Dirtnap daily market newsletter. WSO readers qualify for a $100 discount... just email [email protected] & mention "WSO Monkey Discount". You can follow Jared on twitter: @dailydirtnap
Sometimes when you... IRON MAN | 52 | 26.52 |
This is the reaction any analyst who has ever worked in banking has when you say you want to leave banking for business school then come back as a post b school associate...
<img src="http://epicpinterestfail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/how-i-met-your-mother-barney-why.gif"... Why You DON'T Leave Banking for B School Just to Come Right Back... | 56 | 25.56 |
If so, message me. Nothing proprietary here, of course.
Also, I will be checking out your posting history to make sure youre worthy of sharing, so if you have a higher post count/sb count, youll be more likely to get what you ask for. If you have a low post count/just joined a couple of days... Does anyone need access to any models, research or training materials? | 45 | 25.45 |
Thanks, WSO! I finally had sex for the first time last night. It took a lot of effort and persistence but I finally did it. I couldn't have done it without the great advice I received on WSO. Looking back on my experiences, my advice for prospective monkeys is to:
1) Network: Hide your true... Success Story - Thanks WSO!!! | 42 | 25.42 |
I've been doing a fair bit of thinking about the idea of a "work/life balance", and it's a topic that I encounter more often on this board than just about anywhere else, so I thought it an appropriate forum for discussion.
When I was in college interviewing for the typical... Why are we Obsessed with "Work/Life Balance"? | 123 | 25.23 |
You think I'm fucking with you? I am not fucking with you. I have been noticing a very cancerous trend in this country. A trend that has even leaked onto WSO in many aspects, which is arguably filled with very ambitious and hardworking individuals, as we begin to see a lot of younger people... Coffee Is For Closers | 73 | 24.73 |
Hey guys, so after some encouragement from a few of you guys I'm gonna go ahead and start a bit of a series of posts on my experience in the hedge... Hedge Fund: The Investment Life Cycle | 52 | 24.52 |
Autumn has arrived. For those seniors fresh off their summer analyst stint or juniors gearing up for recruiting, October means something more: you... David and Goliath: The Boutique and The Bulge Bracket | 48 | 24.48 |
HF Satire Babydick Capital Investor Presentation | 56 | 23.56 |
I randomly discovered WSO nearly seven years ago just weeks after I secured a FT MM IB position. The website was extremely nascent at the time with only a few thousand registered users. The majority of the users were college students with only a handful... How WSO has enhanced my IB/PE career | 35 | 23.35 |
Since some of my longer threads/advice seems to have been buried on the forums, I decided to consolidate it through the blog. Enjoy.
The majority of the below text is sourced from the following link:
Advice... Breaking into Private Equity from Banking | 19 | 23.19 |
I have been meaning to post something regarding this topic for some time, even though it has been covered to the point of exhaustion. My final breaking point was about 2 weeks ago, when I had the unfortunate experience of riding the train from Stamford to NYC (a commute I am too used to dating... Why YOU Aren't Getting Offers | 84 | 22.84 |
Reaching for that golden ring of career success, as most of the monkeys here are trying to do, can have significant costs. Some are obvious: preparing for interviews, networking, and getting top grades in college take time away from drinking and fornicating. And once you start working, you'll... How diversified is your life? | 39 | 22.39 |
WSO, it is time to talk.
The new trend around here lately has been to post about how badly you hate your job (specifically in iBanking) and then act like a genius when you decide you want to leave. This needs to stop. It is not a shocking revelation that you don't like working 100 hours a... WSO, It Is Time To Talk | 137 | 22.37 |
***Please look at the bottom of the post before PM-ing me for materials.
Summary: NYSSA IRC as a Stepping Stone in Getting a Job in <a... NYSSA Equity Research Initiation Report | 26 | 22.26 |
Hey monkeys, I'm on a plane from CLT to PHX, and I have wifi, and I'm not in the mood to work on my book. I like giving you guys some of my more thoughtful newsletter articles every once in a while, but I've never directly contributed to the forum. I have a few hours to kill, so... How To Get A Job On Wall Street (When You Don't Know Anybody) | 19 | 22.19 |
So, I used this website years ago when I was getting into equity research. 7 years on and now considering the buyside, I thought... Advice From a Seasoned Equity Analyst | 55 | 21.55 |
In this 4 part series I'll be covering in depth the differences between a typical career in accounting starting in (Big 4) public accounting, and a typical career in finance starting in investment banking. First up in the series is a long term look at the career paths of... Accounting vs Investment Banking: Part 1 – Career Path | 44 | 21.44 |
Moderator note (Andy) This was originally posted on 7/9/12
As summer has been moving along, I begin to notice more and more the inefficiencies out <a... Stop Using Your Mouse | 80 | 20.80 |
I'm confused.
I used to post on here a couple of years ago, most of what I posted was bullsh*t. The truth is I was in my final year at university, I'd just done an internship, wasn't sure how I felt about it as a prospective life, and I wanted to play banker on the internet to... leaving IB, next steps... | 52 | 20.52 |
While I realize the bulk of the WSO population consists mostly of college students and young professionals, there is also a solid representation of what can be referred to as "experienced professionals" in the mix as well. Some of these individuals (myself included) might be newer to this... Don't Ignore That Cold Email - Here's Why | 45 | 20.45 |
Been waiting literally 1-2 years now to make a post like this. Finally landed a FT offer with a solid VC firm as an analyst! Super pumped and excited to start as I have gone through hell and literally overcome all the things that you could possibly deal with.
Went to a top public university... Finally an offer! A story of persistence | 75 | 19.75 |
1- You can't date a jerk and expect to turn them into a good person. Jerks are fully committed to being unpleasant. Those brief moments of tenderness they give you are designed to trip you up and give you false hope. It's best to stay away altogether.
2- The rumors are true: your... 25 Things I've Learned In My 20s | 72 | 19.72 |
Hi there, fellow monkeys. Hope all is well.
I've been lurking here for a few years and didn't really get to posting until just recently. After some PMs regarding my story/background via my <a... How I Fought My Way Back (Vol. Bruce Wayne in TDKR) | 31 | 19.31 |
Mod (Andy) note: elected by you - the monkeys of WSO, this is the 2011 Finance-forum post of the year (from Jan 28, 2011). I'm reposting it here on the homepage for any monkeys who have yet to see it. Thanks Marcus_Halberstram for a great... UG Recruiting Part I: How a resume becomes an interview | 122 | 19.22 |
Hi guys,
I figured I would give this whole free online advice thing a try and articulate my thoughts on online networking.
In my experience, the success of a "cold call" is largely determined by the communication that precedes it. I've never actually had to "cold call" in... Cold-Emailing Guide. | 64 | 18.64 |
"Go all the way down to the beginning"
From: WONG, Daniel
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 1:09 PM
To: FERNANDES, Alan; SINGER, Adam; KWOK, Alice; BUENO, Santiago
Subject: FW: Help.... Read this from the bottom up-its hilarious
Haha….here's to all you folks who... Be Careful what you write to HR (Real Life Example) | 59 | 18.59 |
I've always considered myself entrepreneurial at heart. Even since I've started my work in IB, I have continued to work on developing a few "back pocket" ideas that I'm excited about. Indeed, ever since I can remember, I have wanted to start my own business, not because... Why You Should Reject that Start-Up Job | 53 | 18.53 |
During a recent round of interviews with several banks, headhunters sent across a number of potential technical questions that they said I should be very comfortable with. However, through all of my interviews I was never actually asked any technical questions (although I did do a 3 hour... Notes for Technical Interview Questions | 40 | 18.40 |
I was like many of you at one point in my life. I was a non-target student with big dreams. Luckily, I was an extraordinary networker and worked my way into Lehman on the commercial paper desk. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I breathed the CP market and built a reputation... From non-target to BB CEO: My story | 204 | 18.04 |
The following e-mail has been going around on the Street recently. I thought I might share it:
We are Wall Street. It's our job to make money. Whether it's a commodity, stock, bond, or some hypothetical piece of fake paper, it doesn't matter. We would trade baseball cards if... We eat what we kill. | 102 | 18.02 |
Mod note (Andy): this was originally posted Sept 2012
I'm fairly new here, and deciding what to write about in a blog entry might seem easy enough, but I'd rather people enjoy what I read than just read it and forget it. So I spent some time this week going... What It Really Means to Be "Alpha" | 293 | 17.93 |
mod note: this was originally posted on 7/11/12
Everyone's on vacation. You've pretty much done minimal work the last week because you were celebrating your independence. Let's face it, you've probably checked out since memorial day weekend and now begins the... 11 ways to Fake Work like everyone else in your office | 79 | 17.79 |
Hedge funds get all the glory... and now they're even going to get all the press, courtesy of the JOBS Act, and I'm more than excited to see who thinks they actually need to advertise to bring in the flows. However, while a hedge fund is structured to make one man insanely rich and a... AM vs HF: The Business of Our Business | 61 | 17.61 |
Moderator note (Andy): this is a post from 2010 but squawkbox suggested its relevancy remains and can be very useful for those going through FT & SA interviews. "Don't beat it to hell because it's missing some small details, but it's... EBITDA vs. Operating Cash Flow vs. Free Cash Flow | 46 | 17.46 |
Dear My Little Chimp,
Slow down, child. I know you are just starting that BB investment banking job and are looking to... A Letter to a Chimp | 30 | 17.30 |
Some of these messages are very old but I'm going to answer them anyway b/c I'm in a helpful mood.
Question: How would I know what the career path for [this particular hedge fund]?
Every fund has their own "career path"...it just depends what... Hedge Fund Guru Answering Inbox Questions Here. Thanks Mr. Pink Money | 96 | 16.96 |
So last weekend, I decided to get shit-faced because I had a rough week. The typical…lack of sleep, lack of social life, and lack of sex. I wanted to have fun tonight, regardless of my state of mind. I could have easily went back home and fell asleep in 5 minutes, but fuck it. It's Friday... The Drunk MD Story | 80 | 16.80 |
mod note: this was originally posted on 6/25/12; definitely one of the most inspiring stories of the year posted on the site
I finally landed a <a... I did it. | 68 | 16.68 |
I've always loved this site because even when I was but a wee little lurker in college I could always come on here and hear about all the little details that finance professionals picked up and wish they had known earlier.
The big questions, like which offer to take or whether to shoot... Learn from My Mistakes | 65 | 16.65 |
I did it!!!
For those who are not in the know here is a quick recap. I was offered a FO <span... I DID IT!!! | 52 | 16.52 |
mod (Andy) note: "Blast from the past - Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from 9/2/10. If there's an old post from Eddie you'd like to see up again shoot me a message.
"The meek shall inherit the earth, but not its... Why You're So Easy to Replace | 51 | 16.51 |
Mod (Andy) note: This thread is from December '11, but Flake said he is still up for answering questions, so fire away
Given the holiday season, I'm in a relatively good mood and feel the need to give back a little. I've seen a bunch of these "fielding... Equity Research Q&A with Flake | 146 | 16.46 |
I am doing some work with U of Houston on resume prep so working on getting more exp on helping students with their resumes. Only way I know how is to actuallty review and help.
Join <a... Free Resume Reviews | 33 | 16.33 |

The Street Before Christmas 2012

by Eddie Braverman

'Twas the Street Before Christmas Two Thousand and Twelve
And everyone on Wall Street was hustling like elves
We've got a Mayan apocalypse... The Street Before Christmas 2012 | 21 | 16.21 |
I don't know how many entrepreneurs are actually on WSO but I know there are a few. Additionally I know there are some people that are just generally interested in how a junior VC team member assesses potential opportunities. First note that all VC's are different. We all have our own... My advice on an initial call with a VC | 19 | 16.19 |
Andy note: See "A Male Banker Describes A Typical Female Banker In NYC — And Why He Won't Date One" on BI yesterday.
This post was inspired by... Day 9: Why I Won't Date Bankerella | 198 | 15.98 |
Hello WSO Members,
I recently changed my WSO handle from JC100021 to this. You might also notice I went from Gorilla to King Kong & Certified user overnight. Below is an explanation why, but I want to first state that my aim now is to help people looking to change careers through an... Goodbye JC100021, Hello Military_MBA_Banker | 51 | 15.51 |
Mod note (Andy): "Blast from the past - Best of WSO" - while Eddie is away this month in his place we'll be posting up some of the most popular posts from the past. This was originally posted on 12/07/10
Since everyone else seems to be jumping on the band... Gekko's Guidance (10 Rules to Interviewing) - Part 1 of ? | 45 | 15.45 |
Andy note: "Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from September 2011 . If there's an old post from Eddie you'd like to see up again shoot me a message.
I'm going to keep this short because I have no doubt that you'll be inundated with 9/11... For One Day Longer | 33 | 15.33 |
This was a originally posted June 2012 but is a great refresher for the incoming intern class this summer
So the <a... Silly Shit Interns Do | 123 | 15.23 |
I keep hearing the phrase models and bottles, and basically, if you have money to do bottle service to girls, you get laid. But,... How does models and bottles work? | 122 | 15.22 |
As a trader, one of the things I like to do is take notes on trading observations, both trade specific and trader specific. I was... 7 Indispensable Rules For Traders | 10 | 15.10 |
Hey Everybody - if any of you are looking for a quality GMAT preparation I'd encourage you to check out our partnership with <span... Ask Alex at MBA Apply | 1100 | 15.00 |
In light of the recent death of an investment banking intern in London (who was apparently epileptic) and with all the misinformation and romanticized banking <a... Banking Lifestyle: What Are the Hours Like REALLY? | 98 | 14.98 |
Mod note (Andy): The much anticipated BlackHat interview is here. Questions came from myself and members of writing and intern teams. BIG thanks to BH for his really... The BlackHat Interview: 1/4 | 62 | 14.62 |
Hi fellow monkeys…
I'm a brand new poster but have been reading through these boards for a couple of months to pass the time. The preponderance of posts on here regarding happiness and the work life balance have compelled me to add my own .02 cents on these issues, mostly because I think... Quit the Rat Race and Attempting a Comeback, Here's my Advice | 50 | 14.50 |
"Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer." –Machiavelli ,"The Prince"
What if you could kick ass at your current job while networking for another, effectively killing two birds with... One Fell Swoop: Multi-Purpose Networking | 50 | 14.50 |
mod note (Andy): this was originally posted on 5/19/12
A week or two ago there was an article written about how your weight might inversely effect you during the hiring process. During the conversation I dropped some personal information about me losing 130 (now 135... How finance saved and gave me a life | 49 | 14.49 |
My self-development journey started in May 2010. I was broke, overweight and single. Life became one giant question mark, and for me, it was extremely painful and stressful. I went through an emotional journey to rebuild my identity, get in shape and find a purpose in life. It wasn't easy but... Day 1: To Be A Better Man | 46 | 14.46 |
After my original post describing why I decided to resign from <a... How to Make an App if You Only Know Investment Banking | 41 | 14.41 |
I came across a blog with very specific notes on the class Peter Thiel is currently teaching at Stanford. I've been going through a class lecture a day when I get some down time in the office. Here are some takeaways I thought we're good from the first 3 lessons. (Some of these are... Very detailed notes of Peter Thiel's startup class at Stanford | 35 | 14.35 |
I am posting this because I need the WSO community's prayers, your good vibes, positive energy, anything you can send my family's way. Monkeys, I am going through a very difficult time right now. This site has helped me in many ways, I have tried to give back. You all know I am a... Praying for Lily | 131 | 14.31 |
I have seen a ton threads like "Chance Me", "Can I get a job at GS with these credentials", and a ton of retarded shit in the main... Breaking into Banking is NOT Like Applying to College | 118 | 14.18 |
Now, most of the posters on WSO aren't managing anyone yet or even have anyone below them on the totem pole for at least a few years, but those that will (or have) may benefit from this post. There are literally hundreds of threads talking about how to deal with bosses and colleagues but... How to Treat the New Blood: 3 Rules to Follow | 17 | 14.17 |
Ever feel that the CFA curriculum is a bit incomprehensible at times?

Every topic... The CFA Curriculum, As Explained by Two Cows | 15 | 14.15 |
Mod note (Andy): this was originally posted on 8/15/12
Hello fellow monkeys,
I wanted to take some time to write this because I definitely owe it to this community. Last week, I was given a verbal offer to work in Equity Research full-time, at a well-known bank,... Unbelievable! Detailed WSO Success Story: How I Broke into Equity Research | 110 | 14.10 |
Mod Note: bumping this thread from November 2006 up top to the forums for new members who haven't seen it. Great story from one of our top members.
So I'm new here and spent a good deal of time reading all of the posts from the past few weeks. I thought I... How I got into Banking | 98 | 13.98 |
I get a ton of emails and answer a ton of posts asking similar questions so I thought I would answer the most common ones I get here and allow others to post their questions so everyone can see them and the subsequent answers. Hope this helps.
Summer Analyst... MSF Question and Answer | 171 | 13.71 |
So, this question keeps coming up, "if I negotiate with a prospective employer, will I piss them off or ruin my chances?" I wanted to share the perspective of the person hiring and give you a couple of examples of what happened with people I have hired who were being paid below... How to negotiate for more money during the interview process | 65 | 13.65 |
From observing the general population in America, I've come to the conclusion that most people are awful at networking. The vast majority of people in this country, especially those who are students or newly entering the workforce, simply don't understand how important one's... The Truth About Networking | 57 | 13.57 |
Summering at a bb, got informal feedback today from our analysts to get some insight before official mid-summer reviews in a week. I was told I make it obvious when I'm frustrated and that I don't have a great attitude. I've never verbalized annoyance, but I suppose I don't... Was told I have a bad attitude - any advice? | 54 | 13.54 |
 mod (Andy) note: this was originally posted in July but he's still answering q's for those interested in VC.
In following the solid threads of the 10x leverage, harvardgrad08...I am offering a Q and A on all VC related... Venture Capital Associate Fielding Questions | 144 | 13.44 |
So apologize for the bad formatting here, no idea how to use this thing still but this should be helpful for guys trying to get into Wall St.
Here's the breakdown on how to stand out as a Non-Target.
After having an analyst already... Why We Hired a Non-Target 1st Year - IB Analyst | 44 | 13.44 |
My company runs a graduate scheme where we take on 15/20 graduates a year with 3/4 of those working in my department. I came through this scheme myself and so I like to check in on the most recent cohort of grads to see how they are doing and offer any advice I think might be of help to them.... Advice for new FT recruits - tale of caution | 44 | 13.44 |
Training's over, and you've just hit the new group. You're getting to know your bullpen-mates and you've picked up a few bullshit staffings. You're settled into your new apartment in Murray Hill (no roaches yet!) and you're loving the... Timeline of an Investment Banking Analyst, Year 1 | 42 | 13.42 |
mod note: this very informative q&a was originally posted on 2/12/12

UPDATE 2/22/12: Over 20 questions and 50 responses added so far, keep 'em coming! I also took the bold away from the questions by popular request
Corporate Finance Q&A with accountingbyday, BJM85, STorIB, and djfiii | 137 | 13.37 |
Hey all, I'm new to this board, and figured I'd introduce myself by conducting an interview that might be useful for those on the fence about their career.
I'm here today with a friend of mine who gave up everything to shoot for finance. My friend, who wishes to remain... Giving it All Up: From Med School to Trader | 31 | 13.31 |
Mod Note: This is a syndication from Jared's Daily Dirtnap daily market newsletter. WSO readers qualify for a $100 discount...just email [email protected] and mention "WSO Monkey Discount" You can follow Jared on twitter at @dailydirtnap
This one has... THE LAST MILE | 24 | 13.24 |
Discussions that center upon issues such as "which b-school is better", "M&A, ECM or <span... The Great Strategic Game of Life (1/2) | 18 | 13.18 |
Good afternoon, monkeys.
Listen: A crude and natural gas midstream firm like MarkWest Energy Partners and an oil refinery in the middle of Alabama will have different price exposures, and thus require different hedges to protect themselves in the event of future uncertainty. While not... Energy Trading 101: The Crack Spread | 17 | 13.17 |
Couldn't find a thread like this (besides the HK/Sing one), but thought it would be good for people to know what stage in the process most of the banks are in. Post updates as you hear back from various BBs and the main boutiques/MM firms in terms of 1st round interviews, superdays, etc. ... NYC SA Recruiting 2012-2013 | 516 | 13.16 |
Most of my friends are going into banking. Not because pitch books and road shows are their thing, of course, but it opens a lot of doors. 100 hour work weeks, camaraderie in the form of all-nighters editing PowerPoint slides and sharing Seamless meals, and having no skin in the game never... Wanna Jump Straight to the Buy Side? | 89 | 12.89 |
This is an example of how a buy-side analyst would start coverage on a new name and what an initiating memo might look like. I chose Fossil as part of an investment group with some help from BlackHat and this is the final product. Keep in mind this is not a stock pitch, this is an... Initiating Report Case Study: Fossil | 85 | 12.85 |
Mod note (Andy): "Blast from the past - Best of WSO" - while Eddie is away this month in his place we'll be posting up some of the most popular posts from the past. This was originally posted on 12/11/10
In Part 2 of Gekko's Guidance, I'm going to... Gekko's Guidance Part 2--S&T interview Prep | 59 | 12.59 |
Before I announce what I am planning to do for WSO, it will help to speak briefly about my background - I am turning 27. I left home at the age of 18. I came from a middle class in a very poor nation with extreme political instability. I attended college on scholarships that covered most of my... Part 1: My Pursuit of Happyness | 56 | 12.56 |
Jason Nazar, a contributing writer for Forbes, wrote a column last month detailing the "20 Things 20-Year-Olds Don't Get." (Read Here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/07/23/20-things-20-year-olds-dont-get/) I'm sure everyone around my age appreciated the condescending and... In Response to "20 Things 20-Year-Olds Don't Get" | 55 | 12.55 |
I've been reading WSO for quite a long time, but this is my first and perhaps my last serious post about myself.
A bit about my background: I am a junior studying finance at a 200% Non-Target university (yes, there are baby sitting positions on my school's career site,... Non-Target, Cold e-mailing to Multiple BB / MM SA Offers -- Yes it can be Done! | 46 | 12.46 |
In my earlier years I worked in audit, and was seconded onto forensic projects out of need for resource. I developed a knack for it, and have since worked on a lot of high profile cases (including some of the <a... Divorces: Beating the Courts | 40 | 12.40 |
Keeping with the theme of my article from two weeks ago (regarding cold emails and helping/mentoring the younger crowd) I wanted to take some time to discuss the difference between a boss and a leader and how having one or the other can drastically change your future and career over the... Want to Boost Your Career? Be a Leader - Not a Boss | 32 | 12.32 |
Mod Note: The very talented author of this post, moneymogul, is also the author of our updated Finance Internship... Week 4 of IBD Internship: Initiation | 32 | 12.32 |
At the beginning of my analyst program i had a fixed-notion of what it takes to become one of the top-ranked analysts in my class, pocket top-bucket bonus and move on to a prosperous future in finance. I wasn't alone in believing that building up great modeling skills, understanding... Three Things You Didn't Know About Becoming A Rock-Star Analyst | 25 | 12.25 |
It's been over 3 years since I first came across WSO as a junior in college. Eventually, I was able to land an <a... 7 Practical Tips for Entering 1st Year IBD Analysts | 22 | 12.22 |
Made a summary of Hulls as I read it, and few friends I sent it to found it really helpful.
It's the 756 page book summarised into 57 pages of everything an S&T intern would need to know from the book before starting an internship.
I skipped all the uber quant stuff that would... Hulls Options, Futures & Other Derivatives summary | 0 | 12.00 |

We've all seen and perhaps grown tired of guides and lists that are ripe with tedious clichés and full of humdrum regurgitated meme wisdom. For that very reason, in collaboration with CNBC's John Carney (@Carney) here is a fresh and hopefully thoughtful look at... How To Be A F%#king Man… | 75 | 11.75 |
So as I've been asked for 'my story' but have never really done it in a full, comprehensive way... here we go.
Putting It Out There - the story | 75 | 11.75 |
Mod note: for the tl;dr version, skip down to "Circa 1960"
First, some background. I'm going to explain how we got to where we are today in order to frame our place in history and our model of life, so bear with me... Your Model of Life Is Wrong | 63 | 11.63 |
I used to work with a guy that had everything on the surface, but absolutely nothing inside. The guy was 6 feet tall, good-looking, charismatic, multi-lingual, graduated from a top business school, and had made MD at a <a... How to Develop a Personality | 54 | 11.54 |
In a small conference room, I was greeted by my HR partner and one of the top dogs in my coverage group. I sat down, and my heart started racing a little and I could hear it in my ears. I also had an insane urge to pee.
Then a voice came beaming from the polycom: Disincentivy, we... You mad? Why no, not at all, asshole :) | 50 | 11.50 |
Mod note (Andy): we vetted this user to confirm his identity/status and yes in fact he is who he says he is, and is eager to answer your questions :)
Bio: I decided to join WSO to help both students and young professionals advance in their Finance careers, whether that be... I'm an MD and I run the Sales division: Ask Me Anything | 143 | 11.43 |
Inspired by comments from this: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/basic-guide-ramping-up-on-a-company-with-public-information-part-1-of-3
Lets just jump in.
Technology: In this space there are really two metrics that matter the most, sales growth and EPS... Beginners Guide to Valuation and Metrics By Sector | 42 | 11.42 |
Long story short, I went to a non-target, had a sub-par gpa, and was a liberal arts major – pretty disastrous in trying to land a decent finance job. Prior to graduating, I started reading business/finance resources, studying  WSO Intern => Major US Bank | 27 | 11.27 |
I want to start to bring back the douchey candor of LSO that we all know and love... Below is my morning, in the best Logan impression I can muster in my sleep deprived state... Hope you enjoy...
As I wake after a near all nighter, the bulk of which was wasted tweaking valuation... The Sunlight Hurts My Eyes... | 22 | 11.22 |
You hear the occasional story before you take the leap; and longing to maintain the image of The Next Chapter you have so delicately envisioned for yourself, the one that rests deep in the confines of your subconscious and gives rise to those fanciful journeys your brain so... Champagne Dreams | 19 | 11.19 |
Congratulations!!! You made it into investment banking. Of course early on you're excited and just want to spend 100+ hours in the office to impress everyone and get that top bucket bonus, but how do you really get the most mileage out of your 2 year stint in... So You Made It to Banking, Now What? | 17 | 11.17 |
When you go through the interview process with private equity firms, particularly if you move along in a process at a middle... Some Thoughts on Private Equity Interview Case Studies | 16 | 11.16 |
 Moderator Note (Andy): Best of WSO - this post originally went up December 2009 and we thought it deserved to go back on the homepage for those who may have never seen it.
I got a PM asking how to prepare for an <a... Preparing for the HF informational interview | 14 | 11.14 |
There are a lot of people that don't have access to CapitalIQ that would like to be able to source boutiques in their area. This thread will be an attempt to help them out.
If you have a regional request, post it and someone will give a list of the criteria used and the subsequent... Regional Boutiques | 513 | 11.13 |
The most common arguments on WSO are about what it really takes to make it to Wall Street... and then what your options are if you get there. Working professionals come here to engage in witty banter and relax, only to spend half our time here debunking bullshit and writing advice based on our... What banker careers really look like: real private data | 201 | 11.01 |
Following an internship, I worked as an analyst with Rothschild's investment banking team in Singapore for two and a half years. During this time, I... I resigned from Rothschild to start a company | 100 | 11.00 |
I work as a long/short equity analyst at a large hedge fund. I've been lucky enough to be more than just a model monkey early on in my career, but have also been exposed to the stress of being measured on returns. I primarily cover consumer and TMT names. I went the typical path (target... I'm a Hedge Fund Analyst - Ask Me Anything | 193 | 10.93 |
Ever since I could remember, I've wanted to become a dental surgeon. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, and Calculus were all my strongest subjects. I was one of those kids who studied half as much as others, but still got one of the highest grades in the class. For as long as I could... From Dentistry to Investment Banking | 83 | 10.83 |

I call upon all bankers to give the newbie summer analysts the Do's and Don'ts for the summer. I know many college students have or will... The Do's and Don'ts for Summer Analyst | 79 | 10.79 |
Prior reading: Hedge Fund: The Investment Life Cycle. Quick background: Penn undergrad - 2 years at <a... 3rd Year HF Analyst Q&A | 70 | 10.70 |
mod note (Andy): this was originally posted on 6/20/2011 and was voted one of the top threads of 2011
I'm a jedi knight looking to break into investment banking. I went through the jedi academy (it was kind of one of those things where they recruited me when I was... Jedi looking to Lateral into IBanking | 60 | 10.60 |
Long time reader, new poster - first and foremost, thank you to the users who take the time to offer constructive feedback/criticism/stories of the past, etc. You fellas know who you are (Eddie, Midas, Monty,Anthony, Comp, Illini, Gekko and obviously Patrick for creating the site - this list is... Alright Kiddies | 58 | 10.58 |
I received a lot of PMs over the past month asking me for advice/resume help/etc with people seeing that I had had a lot of success landing interviews at many places. I will preface this by saying that I am not in the industry, and like many of you am just trying to break in. I was able to... Black Jack's Recruiting Advice | 56 | 10.56 |
Hello everyone,
Just thought I would compile a comprehensive list of things that should be done while you are an undergraduate student. Just remember, while some of these things may seem intuitive to you, it may not be that way for others. Some of these are self explanatory and will have a... List of Things You Should be Doing in Undergrad | 56 | 10.56 |
WSO EXCLUSIVE: Titans of Wall Street caught in candid conversation on Facebook! Read on below and after the break:
<img src="http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/files/wallstreet_ceos_facebook_teaser_697w.jpg" alt="" width="760" title=""... REVEALED! Wall Street CEO Facebook Convo | 45 | 10.45 |
mod note: see part 2 here
Since I've been writing for WSO, my most popular posts have been about banking experiences. The All Nighter is perhaps one of... 12 Hours Till Deadline: The All Nighter, Part 1 | 43 | 10.43 |
Sitting pensively, motionless in the luminescence of my glowing HP monitor, I mouth the words  "Why the hell don't you tie?" I scratch my head in confusion, and rub my eyes pathetically as if waning vision is to blame for this frustratingly minute, yet categorically... Attention to Detail... | 35 | 10.35 |
Over the past two months, I have seen several threads asking for advice on applying to Princeton Bendheim's MFin program, what the school is looking for, and many other questions. People on the forums have pointed to me because I go to school there, and they think I have some clue... Advice for Princeton MFin Applicants | 33 | 10.33 |
It will give you tunnel vision.
It will make you sacrifice many things you enjoy and put them on the back-burner.
It will give you a cynical (and sometimes hateful) view of your classmates.
You will seriously consider the possibility of purchasing a one-way... The World's Greatest Lifehack | 33 | 10.33 |
Finally the day I get to post one of these topics, just got an offer for my dream IB job. Here's my story, and some advice to those who want to pull the same move from non-target with no experience to IB FT offer:
Graduated from a non-target this past May with no ibanking <span... Non-Target Success. Hard Work Does Pay Off | 32 | 10.32 |
Clarifying Note: It has been brought to my attention that I might have left you all hanging out there... Admittedly, I promised a story about Eddie and Rufio in Paris, a promise upon which I have yet to deliver. I wish I could bring myself to apologize for the lack of expediency in the... Boat Shoes, B-52s, and Crashing "Le Bal" | 29 | 10.29 |
I created this post in response to the CFA Time Management post earlier this week. Many of us monkeys... CFA Schedule Template | 28 | 10.28 |
As a former summer/fulltime investment banking analyst, I've seen a few waves of Ivy League migrant workers come through New York.
A few tips for success for the upcoming crop of summer analysts who will be sweating it out on Wall... Convert Your Summer Internship Into a Full-Time Offer | 21 | 10.21 |
I have seen a few posts on the Commodities Trading forum asking about how petroleum trading is priced, hedged, etc. I was reasonably... Physical Oil Trading Basics (Part 1 of 2) | 21 | 10.21 |
I've written this post to share some insights into recruitment and to give a specific example of a prospective intern who blew us all away. I've intended to give back to the forums that I silently crept on which helped me out in breaking into banking but have never gotten around to it, and... Insights from the other side | 19 | 10.19 |
Mod note: Best of Eddie, this was originally posted on 10/16/12.
We're all familiar with the Friend Zone and what a drag it can be to find yourself there, but today I'm going to share with you a far worse fate and why you must avoid it at all costs: The Marriage... Avoiding The Marriage Zone | 117 | 10.17 |
I've noticed a surge in topics along the lines of, "I have interviews with A, B, and C. Please rank them," and "I am pretty sure I will get an offer from X and Z. Which one would you pick?" Let me tell you something kids
Treat every single one of your... A few important advices to all of you wanna-be-monkeys | 15 | 10.15 |
Hey everyone,
In thanks for all of the valuable info and advice I've gotten from WSO over the last couple years, I thought I'd 'pay it forward' and share the list I made of FT FLDP-type programs that I applied to (or seriously thought about applying to) during my senior... List of FT Financial Leadership Development Programs, and other such things | 14 | 10.14 |
So you are fascinated by the financial markets and maybe even interested in trading? Great, but access to information doesn't come... How To Follow The Markets Like A Pro – For Free! | 13 | 10.13 |
Hey guys, this is Adam checking in. The latest episode is below -- after you watch it if you could read the text below I'd appreciate it...
<iframe id="xtranormal_Ideal working environment!" name="xtranormal_Ideal working environment!"... Adam the Analyst - Episode 6: What is Your Ideal Working Environment? | 8 | 10.08 |
Mod Note (Andy): this was originally posted on 6/19/12
I was out to dinner the other night with a few friends. Each of us work in some variation of finance and have had a decent level of professional success in our young careers, on paper at least. I'm in PE, two of... The Permanent Recession | 99 | 9.99 |
Moderator note (Andy): this was originally posted on 5/17/12,  Here is the link to his study guide
Background: I recently took the... How I got a 770 on the GMAT with minimal effort while working banking hours… | 90 | 9.90 |
Mod note: Click here to see all of our q&a's and interviews

So the deal... Real Estate Q&A | 89 | 9.89 |
I work as a currency volatility trader and manage one of the bigger G10 blocs in London. I've been lucky enough to get responsibility early in my career. I started off managing a single currency book a few months into the job, and have steadily been granted more responsibility to where I am... Ask Me Anything: I'm a Currency Volatility Trader | 89 | 9.89 |
Just finished up a couple very long weeks at work and am feeling pretty generous at the moment. So, a little bit about me:
- Non-target former varsity athlete/captain
- Corp Strat to <a... 1st Year HF Analyst taking questions | 62 | 9.62 |
As an investor I look for investment that offers me the greatest odds of success – investments with an asymmetric risk profile. This strategy was invented by Graham and Dodd and made famous by none other than Warren <a... The Asymmetric Risk Profile – Preparing for the Hedge Fund Interview | 55 | 9.55 |
We hear a great deal these days about what we can and can't afford. Of course when you hear it from the lips of a politician you know exactly what he means: you can't afford that unless it was my idea….then you need to scale up...by a trillion or so.
As your career progresses, assuming... Lifestyle: The number 1 killer of young traders. | 53 | 9.53 |
I worked in the back office at an <a... 5 Benefits to Being in the Back Office | 51 | 9.51 |
Thought I'd try and give back to the WSO community by sharing "10 Tips" on how to maximize your undergraduate GPA. I've... 10 Tips to Maximize Your GPA | 50 | 9.50 |
I realized that there really isn't much information on prime brokerage on this site, even though it has been a significant source of revenue at <a... Ask me any question you have about Prime Brokerage | 47 | 9.47 |
Bankers are among the smartest people in the world, though so easily manipulated. Why is it that as soon as graduates enter banking, they suddenly feel so inadequate that they change everything about themselves. We are meant to be the movers and the shakers of the developed world, yet a vast... How to get Respect... | 45 | 9.45 |
There have been several of these so I don't know how helpful I can be. Will do my best
Took a pretty traditional route to get the job:

Target school

Top banking group

<a... Finishing 1st Year as HF Analyst - Ask Anything | 142 | 9.42 |
I'm not really sure how to start this post, but I'm really only posting as motivation and inspiration to all the non target kids out there who are worried about  BO -> FT Analyst. Long, Detailed Success Story!! | 40 | 9.40 |
Mod (Andy) note: The much anticipated BlackHat interview is here (see part 1,... The BlackHat Interview: 3/4 | 39 | 9.39 |
I figured that I was due for a Day in the Life post but with Major League Baseball's playoffs in full swing I thought it would be fitting to do a post from my former life as a Minor League Baseball player. I played for two seasons and the following would be a typical day for a home game in... A Day in the Life: Professional Baseball Player | 38 | 9.38 |
Fellow Monkeys,
I have been reading WSO since my sophomore year in college but have just recently decided to start posting advice. My #1 reason for the late entry:
A majority of users here are college students who offer bro-science and I wanted to make sure I had relevant experience to... Former Big 4, now buy-side analyst, ask me anything | 134 | 9.34 |
I have decided to post my experience for what it is worth. I do not expect this to follow the standard format of posts in this forum I am merely here to present to all of you a story that could have helped me and given me encouragement in the darkest days of the sales and <span... A Trading Story :Encouragement for the rest of us | 31 | 9.31 |
With headhunters likely beginning to reach out in December/January, I thought I'd put out a series of posts on making the transition from IB to <a... Transitioning from IB to HF Series - Part 1: Getting the Interview | 28 | 9.28 |
Lately I've been thinking a lot about the way people in our corner of the world use email. As even the greenest summer analyst knows, on Wall... Going Postal Over These 4 Work Emails | 25 | 9.25 |
mod note: this was originally posted on 9/4/12
I thought I'd switch things up a bit today. Rather than delve into a note-worthy news item or another Facebook discussion, I'd like to welcome everyone back from Labor Day Weekend with an awesome interview.
WSO... Q&A with a Fixed Income Trader at a Major Bank | 25 | 9.25 |
One thing that's very disheartening to read on this forum is the bias against kids from targets. Apparently, kids from targets just *happened* to be privileged enough to get into a good school while kids from non-targets unfairly get screwed. I'm sorry, but when did working hard in... Target vs. Non-Target | 424 | 9.24 |
You've just gotten that promotion and now you're in charge of a small team. Congratulations! And welcome to middle management. All the hard work and the knowledge you've developed about everything your firm does these past few years has been noticed. But, now you have a small... 7 Things I've Learned About Being A Manager | 24 | 9.24 |
<object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param... Adam the Analyst - Episode 1: Introduction | 20 | 9.20 |
This is an absolute must read if you're from a non-target! I will try to detail out as much of my journey as I can. This post is kind of long overdue; however, I feel like it's better late than never. (Even if it's really poorly written.)
Non-Target, Sub 3.5 GPA. FT BB IBD | 20 | 9.20 |
This was originally posted on 10/26/12
For many positions, the stock pitch is the biggest part of the interview. It gives the interviewee the opportunity to explain his or her thought process and the way they evaluate an investment opportunity. It can separate the... WH's Interview Stock Pitch Checklist | 16 | 9.16 |
There was a time when the term character was used to describe the quality of an individual. People of character were individuals who made good choices in spite of difficult situations. They chose to meet the challenges when they were tested by adversity. As a result of their actions and the... Character: A valuable trait developed through adversity. | 15 | 9.15 |
Hey guys,
I have only been on this forum a couple of times, but I formerly worked in M&A at a bulge bracket. I have... Former BB VP giving advice to all you wannabe bankers | 114 | 9.14 |
Afternoon Monkeys,
Sometimes you have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting. Have faith that things will work out, maybe not how you planned, but just how it's meant to be. Other times, you have to try and understand the Natural Gas Liquids markets and their respective price... Energy Hedging 101: The Frac Spread | 11 | 9.11 |
Afternoon, monkeys. I've got the first of a two part interview for you today with certified user Nefarious. Nefarious works in Strategy at a major Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense company. While I know many of your are focused on banking and <span... Q&A with Nefarious - a Strategy Associate at a Fortune 500 Company (Part One) | 106 | 9.06 |
When you work 80-hour weeks regularly and the staples of your diet are $25 Seamlessweb pasta dishes and burger combos, inevitably, nature is going to call – on your office line. For the majority of analysts on Wall Street, working at an <a... Five Thoughts on Wall Street Bathroom Breaks | 97 | 8.97 |
I've been a long time lurker, but just recently started posting on this site. So to give you a little background: I graduated UG from a semi-target college (think UVA/UMich/CMU) with a humanities degree (think Political Science/Philosophy). However, I also had a sub 3.0 <span... Ask Me Anything: Post-MBA IBD Associate at BB (NYC) | 86 | 8.86 |
okay guys, i am in a very difficult situation. I have a very nice car, 2006 bmw z4, that gets me compliments all the time. there is this incredibly hot girl at work that i like but i've never talked to her before since i have nothing to talk to her about. i figured that i could use my car... hot car but no hot girl - HELP! | 85 | 8.85 |
So I've been reading these forums for a very long time - since I got to College really. They've been very helpful at certain points (certain people helping out with interview questions) but I found that there is such a massive amount of misinformation that seems to dictate how a lot of... Defeating the Top Groups Myth | 75 | 8.75 |
Andy note: "Best of Eddie" - while Eddie is on vacation we're throwing up some of his classic posts from the past. This one from June 2010 is part of the very popular "Sell Your Options" 5-part series. More to come later this week & next. If there's an... Sell Your Options Dearly: MARRIAGE | 70 | 8.70 |
Official ibankingoasis belief in God poll. Any religion with a God accepted. I'll start.
Don't. Do you believe in God? | 766 | 8.66 |
I wanted to share my story today with the WSO community as I think it is quite unique and might offer some hope to the state school monkeys who do not have much in internship and networking going for them.
My most recent position was with the <a... Left GS this Friday after 5 years; My story. | 65 | 8.65 |
mod (Andy) note: this is a blast from the past but one of the all time classics; we were having a good laugh about this thread on the wso conference call this eve and I wanted to put this back on the homepage for the newer monkeys who have never seen it. ... HELP! My boss won't give me money!!! what to do??? | 58 | 8.58 |
Professor Deepak Malhotra is pretty much the best instructor at the Harvard Business School. He is the winner of numerous teaching awards, his Negotiations Class was over 10x oversubscribed (600+ students applying for 60 spots) this year, and his student reviews are downright flawless.
This... Harvard Business School Prof. Malhotra's Speech to MBAs: "Quit Early and Quit Often" | 58 | 8.58 |
If you got a legitimate question, feel free to ask it. I'm no longer responding to PMs. Ask Tech Buyout: | 57 | 8.57 |
I flew into London the morning of my interview, only to find that my luggage was on the next flight. Normally not too much of a problem, except that a) I had to start a final round of interviews for a banking position in two hours and b) as it was a 12 hour trip, I was wearing sandals and... Jump from research to banking, after bleeding during interview | 56 | 8.56 |
At the request of Patrick and a few users, I have agreed to start an "Ask CompBanker" thread. The purpose is to share responses to my historical and future PMs with the community while keeping the question asker anonymous. Anyone is welcome to send me a PM or post... Ask CompBanker | 53 | 8.53 |
Many people here on WSO are obsessed with hedge funds and look upon the mutual fund industry with disdain. However, I have seen a lot of misinformation out there on what mutual funds even do, so I wanted to layout the basics of both hedge funds and mutual funds and what makes them similar and... Hedge funds vs. Mutual funds | 50 | 8.50 |
The following is Part 1 of an interview with WallStreetPlayboys (he is also available to answer your questions)
Are you a professional and want to do an interview? View our <a... Interview with WallStreetPlayboys: A Top 3 Institutional Investor Ranked Analyst (part 1/2) | 50 | 8.50 |
Andy note: "Best of Eddie" - while Eddie is on vacation we're throwing up some of his classic posts from the past. This one from April 2011 is part of the very popular "Man Week" 3-part series. More to come later this week. If there's an old post from... Man Week: Trial By Fire | 48 | 8.48 |
Included here is the start of a much needed compilation of Excel add-ins, macros, and tools.
For the one person... Excel: Tools, Add-Ins, and Macros | 44 | 8.44 |
Mod Note (Andy): this comment was originally posted in The Phone Call that Never Was and I thought it deserved it's own blog post for those that missed it.
When... Here's what happens when your email hits my inbox... | 43 | 8.43 |
Fellow monkeys,
Long time reader, I have only posted several times. I am here to share my success. I just landed a S&T role at a top <a... The best informational interview one could ask for! | 43 | 8.43 |
Thought I'd give you guys a peek inside the book now that it's finished:

Just Another Day at the Office

People ask me all the time what it was like to work in a boiler room, so I thought I'd devote a chapter to... The Best of Braverman Sample Chapter | 41 | 8.41 |
Although working as an investment banking analyst was a living hell at the time, I now look back at my years with nostalgia. Luckily, as time passes, the 100 hour weeks just blend together and the pain has gone away. Of course, I'm still irrationally uncomfortable and nervous whenever I see... Funniest Stories - The Analyst Years | 40 | 8.40 |
As some of you may or may not be aware, the golden watch era in Corporate America is dead. Gone are the days where you get in with a company and work for them for 30-40 years, get your golden Rolex and then call it a career.
Early on in my career I gave a compelling argument to my boss as... Your Career is Dying a Slow Death, Here's How to Save it | 40 | 8.40 |
As in years past, Christmas has found a way to sneak up on me. And, unless you're way younger than WSO's target demographic, you probably feel the same way I do.
The older you get, the more it seems that Christmas appears out of nowhere. I once found... Shifting Wish Lists and Fleeting Freedoms | 38 | 8.38 |
Hi guys. Answering your questions on career path to start with; also giving some initial generalities about what undergrad schools I'm seeing. The full cut of undergrad/b-school and exit opps data is on the way. Reminder: this is longitudinal career data from a sample set of several... What banker careers really look like: schools and promotion rates | 38 | 8.38 |
mod (Andy) note: "Blast from the past - Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from November 2011. If there's an old post from Eddie you'd like to see up again shoot me a message.
I've written the following at a reader's request (yes, I take... Hard Money Lending - Why, When, & How | 37 | 8.37 |
Kids ask how many bankers they need to contact or how many "informational interviews" they need to set up to score that magical offer. And... 5 Ways to Not Suck at Networking | 37 | 8.37 |
Happy to answer any questions about anything related to banking for SA's and FT's that start this summer. 1st Yr Banking Analyst Open for Questions | 136 | 8.36 |
Thought I'd post some the PM diarrhea I've sent to monkeys (who ask intelligent questions). Here we go…
I graduated college with an Econ degree from a top 20 school in the US but not an Ivy. Side-note, monkeys get way too hung up on target, semi-target, non-target on this board. In... Equity Research experience and take away for aspiring monkeys | 36 | 8.36 |
Moderator Note (Andy): This was originally posted on 9/20/2010

(See inside the post for the video)
Adam the Analyst - Episode 3: My Mom Loves Bankers | 35 | 8.35 |
Today I'm going to tell you a little story. No, it's not the "walk me through your resume" story that must have precisely 3-4 jumps, with a positive and negative at each juncture that logically progresses to a career in IB. This is the story of how I was... Bumps along the way, but finally moving in the right direction... | 34 | 8.34 |
Hey guys, I've seen a few threads on options trading and how important the Greeks are to your overall options trade. I found a great... Delta: Breaking Down the First of the Greeks | 33 | 8.33 |
Whether you're trying to land a position, sell a product, or simply network with others, learning the art of selling should be a vital part of your learning in any profession.
The most effective way to do all of the above is to learn the art of selling yourself. While there are many... Cold Calling 101 | 33 | 8.33 |
I've gotten a lot of useful - and not so useful - information from this site over the last several years, and I'd like to give back by contributing some real content.
Am finishing up a stint at one of the M/B/B firms and would be happy to answer any questions regarding <span... M/B/B Consultant Answering Your Questions | 131 | 8.31 |
Given the number of messages I continue to receive with questions regarding my switch from commercial banking to investment banking, I thought it'd be helpful to provide a few guidelines for those looking to make the switch...
1. Aim low(er). I guess you... A Guide for Switching From Commercial Banking to Investment Banking | 31 | 8.31 |
Hey Everybody - if any of you are looking for a quality GMAT preparation I'd encourage you to check out our partnership with <span... Ask Stacy Blackman Consulting - Business School Admissions | 529 | 8.29 |
For a lot of you, the very title of this article probably has you choking on your silver spoon. Shame on you. One of the most important realizations I have come upon since I began my career is it is the people that can't help further your career in any way that actually have the ability to... F*ck the CEO: These 3 People Can Help You More | 28 | 8.28 |
A few weeks back I posted a few pieces of advice on a golf posting and got some serious requests for more info. I hadn't considered how many out there need some simple advice about how to get around a golf course and not make an idiot of yourself in front of peers and bosses. When I got a... How to play better golf (or just not suck) | 28 | 8.28 |
UG Recruiting Part I: How a Resume Becomes an Interview
<a... UG Recruiting Part III: The Super Day and Offer | 27 | 8.27 |
The second part of my valuation series is about one of the methods under the income approach, the discounted cash flow method. In this post, I will be showing you how to create a model from scratch. This model is not meant to teach you any in-depth theory on why... Valuation Primer - Part Two - Discounted Cash Flow | 27 | 8.27 |
Was recently forwarded this. Ya'll may have read this before, but for those who haven't, enjoy.
http://www.kontraband.com/pics/22193/FW-FW-FW-Creative-Writing-Assignment/ Must read | 26 | 8.26 |
I joined WSO a bit over a year ago during my junior year where I had no idea about the banking industry/networking/interviews/etc. While the industry appealed to me it seemed that I was vastly outnumbered in experience, <a... Against All Odds | 26 | 8.26 |
Dear Tea Party Congressional Representatives,
In 2010, a group of conservative, libertarian and populist voters revolted against a consortium of moderate Democrats and Republicans who had slowly been chipping away at the rights of everyday individuals for roughly twenty five years. They... A Plea For Common Sense | 25 | 8.25 |
Summary This is not a financial modeling course like the one that is offered at <span... Free Model-Formatting Course | 24 | 8.24 |
I passed a pretty cool milestone last week. Four years ago last week I began writing for WSO. As near as I can tell (this was before we started using the blog format) this was my... Four Years of BraverMania | 24 | 8.24 |
The following post is Part 2 of an investment banking analyst's nightmare all-nighter.
 If you missed Part 1, read it here.
After... 12 Hours Till Deadline: The All Nighter, Part 2 | 23 | 8.23 |
Too many great stories this week. These are the ones you need to check out:
1. Calpers Sues Pretty Much Everyone on Wall Street (Sacramento... Bonus Bananas Feb. 11, 2011 | 21 | 8.21 |
Tried the search function, but couldn't find anything.
I am a senior at a non-target. I wasn't able to get into banking. So I am considering alternatives to make some cash (high risk/high reward). Can any monkeys chime i on this? Crips vs. Blood? Pay/culture/exit opps/hours? How... Crips vs. Bloods...which is more prestigious? | 121 | 8.21 |
I feel like there is a huge misconception about the timeline of M&A transactions and the functions carried out by affiliated parties during the process. Therefore, I would like to assume the following scenario in order to illustrate the entire process: A <span... M&A Transaction Timeline | 20 | 8.20 |
Value investors come in two types, the ones who will look at financials, and the ones who won't. If banking is your forte I would encourage you to read the paragraph on my approach then come back for my next post. If banking is intimidating or difficult to understand... A Banking Primer | 20 | 8.20 |
I have been an avid reader of WSO and I absolutely respect the audacity of our community. In the light of our on-the-scene-reporting post regarding Erhardt's sudden death, I feel some of our monkeys are missing the point. Since we know press is increasingly quoting WSO, getting accurate... Listen Up, Type A Personalities! | 11 | 8.11 |
A question was posed to me by our chief operating orangutan, Andy Louis, about Argentina's black market currency exchange, commonly called the blue market. Being a foolish person in general, I obliged to write about the potential causes and investment implications that the myriad currency... Argentina Case Study: How a Black Market Currency Emerges | 10 | 8.10 |
Just got Google+. Trying to give back to the community. PM your gmail me for an invite. I'll get to you, at the latest, by the next day. PM me for Google+ | 7 | 8.07 |
Moderator Note (Andy): DM123 completed an engineering degree and an MBA. He has work experience as an investment banking analyst, mid-market lending analyst, and is currently a corporate banking associate at a global <a... The 10 commandments for surviving your summer internship | 7 | 8.07 |
I've been on these forums for a fairly long while, and I've noticed that, for various reasons, I've been stopping by less and less recently. If I were to guess, I'd say that's probably likely to become even more pronounced...
So before I go, I'd like to offer... Ask me anything: 2nd year HF analyst | 200 | 8.00 |
Mod note: Best of Bankerella - this was originally posted 10/1/12
I occasionally get PMed by people at colleges I've never heard of before, asking if they have a shot at <a... My Biggest Career Mistake to Date: Prestige | 97 | 7.97 |
This has me so mad I can't see straight. I'm going to do my dead-level best to ensure this post doesn't turn into a rant. For the most part, I've accepted how ridiculous, arbitrary, corrupt, and often evil the American justice system is. Still, I think it's one of the... Broker's Life Ruined by One Oxycontin Pill | 90 | 7.90 |
(See part 1 here)
So after I read everything and thought about it, I decided to have dinner with him. I just really didn't want to miss the chance of getting to... MD Invited Me For Dinner...Part 2 | 75 | 7.75 |
Hello Monkeys - I'm heading into my last week at MBB, and need something to do besides pack up my apartment. Ask away and... Spent 3 Years at MBB - Ask Me Anything | 173 | 7.73 |
Andy note: BIG thanks to SirTradesaLot for doing a Q&A with me and offering up his advice for the WSO community - "One of my greatest joys is helping young, ambitious people." He has worked in the finance industry for almost 15 years in a variety of roles at global... Q&A Interview with SirTradesaLot, Part 1/2 | 71 | 7.71 |
Hi Everyone,
I read a lot of these forums a couple years back and they helped considerably in terms of realistic expectations about day to day life as an analyst. I was hoping to return the favor by answering a few questions (if anyone has any) about life as an analyst at a buy side real... Q&A With a Buy Side Analyst at Real Estate Investment & Development Firm | 66 | 7.66 |
When you're meeting new people, even in casual social situations, the topic of work is never far off. Maybe this is a general commentary on The Texting Generation's lacking conversation skills, but I always find myself getting asked about my work shortly after being... Don't Ask An Investment Banker What They Do | 56 | 7.56 |
Below is a link to the Paul Tudor Jones documentary video that shows him predicting the 1987 Crash (he tripled his money during it). This is a must see for any trader and shows the legendary trader in action before he became a billionaire.
Although the video was shown on public television in... Trader Documentary - Paul Tudor Jones (Must See) | 54 | 7.54 |
There have been a few requests to find the classic post by Bondarb, so it made sense to sticky it. This is what he wrote:
Here is how you learn about <a... How to Start Trading (Compliments of Bondarb) | 53 | 7.53 |
Sat at your desk, getting texts from off old friends, and girls you could've got on, who are out partying just a couple of blocks from you.
Sat at your desk, falling asleep, feeling the emotional, physical and mental pain of yet another all nighter.
Sat at your desk, hating yourself... The Dreams of a BB Analyst | 50 | 7.50 |
Mod note: Blast from the Past - "Best of Eddie". This one was originally posted in Dec. 2011.
[quote=Christopher Hitchens]"I know what's coming. I know no one beats these odds and it's a matter of getting used to that and growing up and realizing... 27,394 Days | 48 | 7.48 |
I got a lot of help reading WSO when I was an undergrad and wanted to contribute somehow. Wanted to drop my 2 cents, as I feel like MBB is... Why I think you should take a corporate strategy gig over consulting (including MBB) at the entry-level | 48 | 7.48 |
I received a cover letter, resume, and some other related collateral (a supposed 'research' report) relatively recently from a cold-emailer that I thought was worth highlighting, because it has some prime examples of what not to say/write to anyone ever. I'll post some excerpts... What NOT to put in a Cover Letter/Resume | 46 | 7.46 |
Mod note: Click here to see all of our q&a's and interviews

I figured I... Open for Questions - Equities in Dallas | 45 | 7.45 |
Day in the Life: Commercial Real Estate Broker
Ever wonder what you do as a commercial real estate broker? The truth is, it's really hard to do a "day in the life" post for the position because no two days are alike. So, instead of just doing one, I'm... Day in the Life: Commercial Real Estate Broker | 42 | 7.42 |
This is all representative of commonsense (but ultimately bad) advice I got during undergrad and followed blindly during <a... The 7 "Good" Work Habits of Bad Analysts | 39 | 7.39 |
So no one is returning your sad, sappy, suck up emails? People think you are cold calling for girl scout cookies? Well man the f*ck up and lets trick someone into reading your resume. Don't bother with this unless your resume is stellar, not because it wont work, but because you probably... Top Tip: Get any MD to read your resume (or anyone to read anything) | 39 | 7.39 |
Some of you may remember my first post of 2013, in which I talked about my new year's resolution: the launch of headofmetal.com, the most accessible heavy metal resource on the web: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/itfs-new-years-resolution-head-of-metal
Since then, it's been an... Headbangers Rejoice! Head of Metal Is Now Live! | 37 | 7.37 |
Hey all,
I've decided to take a break from the site due to all of the negativity, "poo flinging", flaming, internet laming from those who are just haters.
I got an email from wso the other day and thought I could provide some valuable insight having worked at multiple top... Signing out! | 35 | 7.35 |
I'm tired of seeing posts (especially in the trading forums) asking whether or not "I should study XYZ quantitative major"... Do I need ____ math for finance? | 35 | 7.35 |
If you were only to read this blog, you'd think the non-targets, low GPA applicants could never break into IB, much less obtain gainful... A message for all the 3.0 GPA, non-targets trying to get into IB | 35 | 7.35 |
Someone was asking me about this in PM and I wrote a long and detailed reply about what it is like to work in Big 4 and what advice I would give to people thinking about interning / working there. Thought it might be useful for others so my reply is below. Happy to answer any... Working In Big 4 Audit in London | 34 | 7.34 |
For those of you who don't know my story, here is that:
Long story short, I am not going to business school anymore. I, through both hard work and blind luck, landed a <span... My last post for a while | 32 | 7.32 |
Many prospective monkeys on WSO find value in learning what one must do to "break into Wall Street" because as many of you know, getting your foot in the door is probably the most important single event for a career in finance. Then once you're in, with some networking, hard work,... How I Broke into Finance: BB S&T | 32 | 7.32 |
Have been getting more than a few inbound PE recruiting questions VIA PM, happy to field them here for everyone's benefit. The recruiting process has really shaken up this year and is a pretty significant source of anxiety given how opaque and unexpected it is.... So figured this may be a... Private Equity Recruiting Q&A | 31 | 7.31 |
When I was thirteen years old, my mother handed me a book and told me that I should read one of the stories in it. "Son," she said, "here's your life plan."
The book was Robert Heinlein's Time... 5 lazy tips to succeed in finance | 31 | 7.31 |
I went through a few rounds of interviews at the fund that I now call my employer, I was asked insane questions, easy questions, technical questions, and borderline bizarre questions, but I was not asked the most obvious question I expected to answer. What is Venture... So Many Eggs in Vee Cee | 29 | 7.29 |
mod note (andy): this was originally posted 9/30/12
It's interview season, time of great joy and nostalgia: over the past decade, I have been in both sides of many interview tables, <a... S&T Interview Coming Up? Read This First | 28 | 7.28 |
I was startled to realize over the past Thanksgiving weekend that apparently my 4 years of collective indentured servitude at a bulge-bracket bank and mega-fund was of particular interest to people at WallStreetOasis. As such, I have decided to undertake to the best of my abilities a blog where... Private Equity: How Many Models and Bottles Can I Really Buy on the Buy Side? | 27 | 7.27 |
 Why Men shouldn't write advice columns | 27 | 7.27 |
Zerohedge has a copy of a 61 page research report that Citi released yesterday about the the FICC <a... Citi's Report on Banks' FICC trading | 26 | 7.26 |
Mod note: "Blast from the past - Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from March 2011 .
That handsome guy to the left is my boy Hudson. As you can probably tell, he's a pretty cool customer. We rescued him after Hurricane Katrina, and he'd been... 5 Things a Dog Can Teach You About Trading | 25 | 7.25 |
I just read through our whole interview for the third time, and wow, there is some seriously thought provoking, downright great advice. If you thought part 1 was hearty with information, just go ahead and read part two below; where CompBanker talks about the specific... Q&A with CompBanker, Part 2 | 25 | 7.25 |
mod (Andy) note: make sure to check out fellow writer Aaron Burr's response in "How to deal with THAT associate"
September:... How to be THAT associate | 23 | 7.23 |
Going into an interview, there are certain questions that you have a very high probability of hearing. These are the questions that should be anticipated and rehearsed beforehand, but I am continually surprised to see that candidates in general are completely unprepared for... How to Master 5 of the Most Common Interview Questions | 21 | 7.21 |
Many years ago I left Graduate School in an un-related field and was working in the retail fashion industry. After having trouble making ends meet I decided to get into the financial business (I made the decision while sitting on the sidewalk after a motorcycle accident). I began emailing,... How I Landed My First Gig on Wall Street | 20 | 7.20 |
Today's topic is failure- how much it sucks (a lot) and the benefits that come with it, if you'll accept them. With summer internship recruiting in its early stages/around the corner, I thought (hope) a post of this nature will be well-timed and reassuring to some of you, who unfortunately... The 6 Ways In Which Failure Made Me A Man | 20 | 7.20 |
Now monkeys, believe it or not there are some good reporters out there doing solid research on the financial industry, have very good contacts, conduct good interviews and perform excellent due diligence so they are adequately informed.
However, for every media representative who does that,... The Top 3 Hedge Fund Media Myths | 17 | 7.17 |
I was helping out a buddy of mine doing some mock interviews last week and noticed something I wanted to share with the WSO community as you prepare for your own interviews.
So, how quickly do you respond to certain interview questions and how do I get good an answering the technical... 5 Steps to Answer Technical Interview Questions FAST | 16 | 7.16 |
Investment bankers talk a lot about multiples. In fact, almost everyone in finance talks about multiples. Jim Cramer is probably talking about some company's multiple right now.
Surprisingly, though, multiples and what they actually represent is deeply misunderstood by a frightening number... My EBITDA multiple is bigger than yours | 15 | 7.15 |
Hey everyone,
I just thought that I'd share a great resource for information on the basics of valuing metal and mining companies. The pdf doesn't cover everything by all means but it is a quick beginning step for one to build out their model. It also has links to about 10-15 other... Valuation of Metals and Mining Companies | 15 | 7.15 |
I'm often asked about what eventually happened with a lot of the crazy deals we underwrote back in the early 90's. My firm had a penchant for underwriting some of the most bizarre and impractical companies you could ever imagine. The funny thing was, a lot of them worked out in the... The Monkey Lives! | 14 | 7.14 |
Monkey photos are up on our Facebook page - video to come soon
For those of you who can't go on FB at work etc. I... WSO Monkey at OWS photos | 14 | 7.14 |
Thought this would be helpful for a few of you guys out there, since this board as helped me so much. You can pick one on the left on on the right. I went with the economist and pop. science.
DId something similar to this last year with the same people and got a year free of the WSJ.
No... Sharing a Deal for the Monkeys; Free subscription to the Economist | 14 | 7.14 |
Andy note: This is a syndication from Whitehat's blog. WH will be starting as a contributing author for us next week, keep an eye out...

So... Rant – Rules of the Road | 14 | 7.14 |
Disgraced Bear Stearns hedge fund manager Ralph... Cioffi Comes to Terms with Obscurity | 12 | 7.12 |
DrPeterVenkman presents: An interesting interview with TheKing. Questions came from myself and other WSO contributing authors. Thank you to... The TheKing Interview: PART TWO | 12 | 7.12 |
SB + PM = I set you up with a recruiter Who wants to work at Bloomberg? | 11 | 7.11 |
Keep hearing that hours at megafunds are similar or close to banking. Is it the same for top MMs as well, or do they typically have better lifestyles? (CD&R, H&F, Berkshire, and the likes) Upper MM PE Hours | 9 | 7.09 |
If you are interested in working at a boutique sized bank (20 people) that does MM sized deals located in south Florida then private message me. I don't work there, but if I give you my recommendation you will get an interview. Private message me for more information. Hopefully we can get a... I have an analyst and associate job opening for two of you Monkeys | 9 | 7.09 |
After Part 1 last week, I'm pretty pleased with the feedback I have received, both from comments and PMs. If you have not yet read Part 1, check it out here. I think last week gave... Physical Oil Trading Basics (Part 2 of 2) | 9 | 7.09 |
A few quick thoughts:
- ML bonus was... Cuomo's Bonus Report | 7 | 7.07 |
Happy Thanksgiving Wall Street Oasis! Today marks the five year anniversary of my joining WSO as well as the day I accepted my first and only investment banking offer. It's been an amazing ride so far and I am incredibly thankful to my friends and family that have helped me along the... Happy Thanksgiving WSO | 4 | 7.04 |
It is time...
...After 6 years Tier2sta is also leaving the industry....
Why? A lot of what Mr Ridley states is true...

This... The End of The Show | 103 | 7.03 |
I'm Betsy Massar, founder of Master Admissions. I'm glad to be here on Wall Street Oasis back with kindred spirits. Right out of Harvard Business School I worked for <a... B-School Q&A w/ Betsy Massar of Master Admissions | 387 | 6.87 |
This was originally posted on 2/28/12
There comes a certain risk involved with divulging one's personal troubles all over the internet where potential employers could read it and make all sorts of judgement. However without some risk, there is no return as everyone... I Am The Toxic Asset | 86 | 6.86 |
I'm currently a Private Equity Analyst in Shanghai, China. Academically, I graduated from a target school majoring in Economics and Chinese. I also spent my time at college as the president of an on-campus student organization related to Finance and Economics and a volunteer for a local... Ask me anything… I'm a Private Equity Analyst in Shanghai | 75 | 6.75 |
It's that time of year again: for the incoming class of summer analysts, many of you are going through the (depending on what you've been doing the last semester or so) potentially nerve-wracking process of background checks. And judging by the slew of recent posts,... IB Background Checks: What You Need to Know | 73 | 6.73 |
Today, after 19 consecutive days of horrific abuse, I let my boss really f*cking have it.
I'm currently an MSc Economics student in the UK. Two days a week I work at a very well known PE shop in London. I was a Summer intern there last year and I've been keeping the... Horrid Boss gets a smack in the mouth | 71 | 6.71 |
One of the biggest problems with having large corporations as clients is that there's so much crap you're not allowed to invest in actively in order to prevent any potential allegations of insider <a... Four college kids started a hedge fund. Should I invest? | 68 | 6.68 |
How do I even begin to introduce Flake? More than anything else, Flake is really here for our enjoyment. Sure, maybe Flake is not as helpful as the legendary CompBanker, but that does not mean he is undeserving a Q&A. Within our interview, there are some real,... Q&A with Flake, "Don't waste your time and energy in a back office role." | 64 | 6.64 |
To whom it may concern,
On my resume I have it to say that I earned my yellow belt in Taekwondo which is very impressive feat to accomplish that, but truth of the matter is I am only white belt with yellow stripe. My sensei told me I would get to yellow soon but I got carried away on a group... Will My Fund's HR Find Out I Lied About Taekwondo Yellow Belt? | 64 | 6.64 |
Hi everyone,
I'm a longtime lurker of this forum but I've never posted before. The information I got here over the past couple of years was hugely helpful when I was in school and looking for my job in banking, and still useful today. I wanted to give back by providing an... 2nd year IB Analyst taking questions | 60 | 6.60 |
This fine specimen is interviewing for an Investment Analyst position tomorrow.
#1- For those of you on this forum and looking for a job... you are entitled to nothing. No one on here owes you shit, if they help you, it's because they want to not because they... What Not To Do | 58 | 6.58 |
Hours: 40-80/week depending on earnings, roll outs, roadshows, marketing, etc...
Comp: 55-80 base for associates with 10-50% bonus
Prestige: No prestige in the firm you work for, more important is your analyst and if he has a marketable franchise. Working for a no name analyst at a... Equity Research FAQ | 55 | 6.55 |
Hi Fellow Monkeys,
I am trying to build up a list of resources for everyone on Wall Street Oasis to share. As I look at the forum, there are a lot of resources on getting a job in Finance. I believe that everyone is attracted to Finance, other than having a genuine interest in the market, is... Personal Development | 55 | 6.55 |
I know - I hate the term as much as you do, but it's real and it's damn near impossible to explain: the phenomenon investors call "edge." In its most basic form, edge is the ability of an analyst to identify, at first glance, what the key issues and concerns are in... Do You Have Edge? (Part One) | 54 | 6.54 |
Most entrepreneurs my age seem to be focused on creating the next amazing app or website, which frankly bores me because I'm not a tech geek.
Anyone else give much thought to acquiring an unsexy business like a gas station, car wash, fast food restaurant, etc., and then building out an... Gas Station, Car Wash, Fast Food - Owning Unsexy Businesses | 148 | 6.48 |
So with round 1 mba admissions cycle starting to get into full gear, a lot of applicants are very anxious. I recently had a chance to catch up with an old friend of mine who just graduated from a top 5 business school and was a student member of the adcom. After talking about a lot of random... Conversation with a former top 5 MBA student adcom | 45 | 6.45 |
This is my story of how I got into PE. Just want to point out that there are some non-standard paths out there. I thought I would share it if it can inspire some kids on the website.
Below is the full story, but from all those past years, these are some of the major things that... My Life | 44 | 6.44 |
Hey Guys,
Been using this site for a while now and figured it would be beneficial for me to give back a bit. For starters, I thought I would detail my experiences using linkedin and cold emails to land a summer offer.
Coming from a semi-target undergrad b-school, I had my hands full.... How I used LinkedIn to get Interviews and Land Offers | 44 | 6.44 |
After reading through the thread on the 2011 hiring freeze, I'd thought it would be valuable to share with the community the thoughts and experiences of someone who graduated into a good economy. While it is easy to sit back and say that my class had it easy compared to today's... Graduating into a Bad Economy | 43 | 6.43 |
This is a fascinating article from the NY Times featuring some of the cultural differences that Muslims face on Wall Street.... Muslims on Wall Street, Bridging Two Traditions | 43 | 6.43 |
This is the first in a series of posts where i'll be answering questions that came in via PM
[quote=45c345]
1) Where do you think the finance industry will be in a decade?
[/quote]In general, I think we are going to see increased regulation across... "Where will the Finance Industry be in a decade?" | 42 | 6.42 |
I'm seeing a few subtle similarities in the economy today to three years ago, and though it would be precipitous to say a second dip is probably on the way, I don't think it hurts to share some of the wisdom I've gained over the past three years in personal finance.
The Truth About Money | 40 | 6.40 |
I understand that a lot of the readers on this board have never received a sizeable bonus and the minority who do were already paid months ago back in June/July, but I hope this post is still helpful to some about how to manage the bonus that you receive from your finance job.
1. Pay off your... What to do with DAT BONUS | 40 | 6.40 |
Hey guys – I'm back to more of a practical post today. I've just hit the three week mark at my new job in Private Equity, and I have some observations that I'd like to share now that I have a moment to catch my breath! The time has absolutely flown by, and needless to say I've been... PE vs. Banking - Boy was I in for a Surprise... | 35 | 6.35 |
I've been in the industry for several years and I've come across every type of situation. I've met guys from top schools who work in bulge... 5 Rules of Getting a Job from a Non-Target School | 35 | 6.35 |
I try to let you guys know about it when I find something cool or useful, and today I've got something that can make a huge difference in increasing the hit rate on your cold emails.
One of the things that can make cold emailing especially difficult is not... Your Cold Email Just Got A LOT Warmer | 35 | 6.35 |
5:45 – early rise, whichever desk you end up on you are most likely going to be waking up around this time. Adjust your sleeping habits accordingly or suffer for most of the day.
6:30 – Arrive on the desk, market opens in 90 minutes so its really a... Day in the Life of an Options Trader | 33 | 6.33 |
I thought it would be a good idea to share my observations, and my boredom, on IB recruiting at the associate level.
On-campus recruiting: Associates look so happy. I want to be a banker. Nothing like making some money and looking this happy.
The elevators at <span... Observations from IB recruiting: Associate level | 32 | 6.32 |
Hey Everyone,
As I work through my years as an analyst, I'm trying to get real detailed information on some of the private... Boston Private Equity Firms | 30 | 6.30 |
Andy note: Here's the final installment of the 3-part interview series with SirTradesaLot. See  Part 1,  <a... Q&A Interview with SirTradesaLot Part 3/3: Becoming the Boss | 30 | 6.30 |
Just ranting, but MBAs out there, is anybody in the same situation?
I had no debt when came out of undergrad. Spent 2 years in IB, and had saved about $100k over that time, not spending any bonuses and not spending much except on rent (about half of my salary). Life was looking good.
Then... I have no money | 130 | 6.30 |
Andy note: "Blast from the past - Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from December 2011 . If there's an old post from Eddie you'd like to see up again shoot me a message.
This is Part 2 of 2 (<a... Exclusive Edmundo Braverman Interview : Part 2 of 2 | 29 | 6.29 |
Assuming that you have access to no financial products such as FactSet, Bloomberg, CapitalIQ, Thomson or otherwise, thought it would be helpful to give a step by step guide on how to ramp up on a new company from your home computer. Using FaceBook as an example. Lets go ahead and start with the... Basic Guide Ramping Up On A Company With Public Information (Part 1 of 3) | 29 | 6.29 |
Mod Note: this was originally posted on 3/7/12

Everybody loves a gimmick, whether it's the novelty of the high-flying social media companies run by twenty-somethings with nothing to lose but their oversize sweatshirts or the possibility of harnessing... TSLA: Taxpayers Stuck with Lifeless Assets | 28 | 6.28 |
Since many people have already have or are soon having first round interviews, I figured I'd accelerate this series. So rather than posting after we finish conducting first rounds at X Target School. Obviously it will be a slightly different perspective, but hopefully it will be more... UG Recruiting Part II: The first round interview | 27 | 6.27 |
I have a very detailed outline that I'm going to make available to the forum. Either through a editable gdoc or through a personal wiki. Frankly, we all spend way too much time studying / preparing for the exact same things.
I'm hoping that a few people will taking it upon... Series 79 free study guide | 27 | 6.27 |
***FIRST: This is long so I'll put the cart before the horse real quick: THANK YOU WSO. To everyone who's posted insider knowledge, "day in the life" shit, interview guides, models, any feedback in general--you have provided knowledge that tuition can't pay for. I... From "Poor Me" to BB | 27 | 6.27 |
It goes without saying that every human being wants to be happy. We pursue education, careers, relationships, hobbies, etc., to maximize our happiness.
Looking back on my life as well as learning from others, I think envy and... Being happy with what you got | 26 | 6.26 |
So this is the time of year when everyone reflects on what they don't like about themselves and then "resolves" to rectify it. That's why I've never liked New Years resolutions. If you have an issue to resolve, resolve it. Don't wait for an arbitrary date on a... Goals For 2010 | 25 | 6.25 |
At first you might think it was because you screwed up your technicals. Then maybe after writing your story on here, the folks will tell you it was because you didn't do a very good job with the <a... The Number One Reason You Were Dinged | 25 | 6.25 |
6 Tips for Networking Into a Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firm
Last Night on Mad Men, Roger Sterling used a connection at the airport to "happen to bump into" a potential client. He talked to the guy, became fast friends, and got Sterling Cooper <span... 6 Tips for Networking Into a Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firm | 24 | 6.24 |
this is your manager - i know i've mentioned this to you a few times in the past face-to-face but i know you spend more time looking at this site than anything else.
now if i see you slack off at work on this site one more time instead of restocking the fucking shelves like I TOLD YOU 15... dear boutiquebank4life | 23 | 6.23 |
Andy note: "Best of Eddie" - while Eddie is on vacation we're throwing up some of his classic posts from the past. This one from April 2011 is part of the very popular "Man Week" 3-part series. More to come later this week. If there's an old post from... Man Week: Fatherhood | 23 | 6.23 |
A few weeks ago, my father set up a meeting for me with his bosses boss. This guy basically runs wealth. This guy was brought out of retirement, in his mid-50's, to help a friend of his rebuild the WM division at the <a... Some Thoughts on Interviews | 23 | 6.23 |
So in an earlier post I shared portions of what I'm calling my quarter-million-dollar notebook -- the eleven pages containing every note I ever took in b-school that I thought was worth carrying forward into my career. (Why is it a quarter million dollars? That's what I spent on... What b-school taught me about the job hunt | 23 | 6.23 |
The next time any one mentions investment banking you will now think of investment BAKING and the picture of the dough boy will pop in your head

<img src =... Investment Baking | 22 | 6.22 |
This site has really been an amazing help along my career path and I felt that it was necessary to try and give back to the community and hopefully give some hope to the fellow non targets out there that are trying to break in. I also wanted to thank everyone on this site who have been extremely... Non Target Success Story: MBB Summer Intern | 22 | 6.22 |
Hi everyone!
Some of you may remember me, I stopped posting on this forum about a year ago because I got tired of the site for a number of reasons and it wasn't worth it for me anymore. However I'm a big believer of giving back, and I did learn a lot from this site and from a few of... Q&A: 1st year BB London Rates Trader Taking Your Questions | 122 | 6.22 |
Greetings fellow monkeys:
By way of introduction, I have been a shadow-user for quite some time, please excuse my lurking, and I want to thank everybody for all of the thought and effort that is put into your posts. I have learned a great amount from the WSO community and the content is often... Workaholics vs. Successaholics: Working Hard vs. Working Smart | 22 | 6.22 |
Guys & Gals,
Headhunters, recruiters, executive search firms:
For many of us they hold they keys to the golden gates of buy-side badassery (i swear i'm not really this big of a tool in real life).
I currently work as an associate at a MM <span... World's Best PE Recruiter Database - Need Your Help to Finish It! | 21 | 6.21 |
So my previous post (http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/finally-got-it-top-mm-ft-offer-thank-you-wso) had people commenting on it asking how i went about networking/using linkedin. Here is my advice on basically reaching out to someone cold on linkedin/just how to game the networking system.... Part 2- Finally Got It - Top MM Offer- Thank You WSO | 21 | 6.21 |
hi guys, i hope that you can help me! sometimes i have guests in my house and i wonder what they are doing when i am not there... so anyways, i put my laptop computer in my bathroom one time and covered it with a cardboard box to hide it, but i cut a little hole in the box. then i turn the... i think i'm in trouble and need some help please?????? | 21 | 6.21 |
Many threads have been created over the years concerning which group is best, what exit opps are from each group, etc.
While strength of groups change with the tides, i.e <a... Picking the Right Group | 21 | 6.21 |
Hopefully my post from last week, Coffee Is For Closers, woke some of you up and made you realize life is not a waiting line. Not only do you not deserve anything, but you... The Ebb and Flow That Is Life | 21 | 6.21 |
Hi WSO,
A lot of people have asked me for equity/industry analyst report templates. In response I have attached a few <a... Attached - Equity Research Template Examples | 21 | 6.21 |
Props to bankerella for an insightful post delving into the mind of the newly-minted first-year investment banking associate. The only thing it was missing was a blanket apology for all of the... How to deal with THAT associate | 20 | 6.20 |
Mod Note: The very talented author of this post, moneymogul, is also the author of our updated Finance Internship... Week 1 of IBD Internship: Training | 19 | 6.19 |
DrPeterVenkman presents: An interesting interview with TheKing. Questions came from myself and other WSO contributing authors. Thank you to... The TheKing Interview: PART ONE | 18 | 6.18 |
Mod Note (Andy):Very pleased to introduce our newest blogger, Grizzled Guru. He has a very interesting background and a lot to share with you guys, hope you enjoy.
I never really started out with any intention of being in finance. I was a child of Sputnik. I... It's not rocket science... | 18 | 6.18 |

The Street Before Christmas 2011

by Edmundo Braverman

'Twas the Street before Christmas, Two Thousand Eleven
The year of the protest that stunk to high Heaven
The year that the Eurozone went... The Street Before Christmas 2011 | 17 | 6.17 |

The Street Before Christmas 2010

by Edmundo Braverman

'Twas the Street before Christmas 2010
Another year over and we're at it again
No monkey is safe from Uncle Eddie's rhymes
And... The Street Before Christmas 2010 | 15 | 6.15 |
It's the time of year for SA interviews. Two-plus years ago, analysts on WSO helped me break into i-banking from a non-target school.
As a result, I'd be happy to answer questions to those interviewing or trying to get banking interviews coming... Ask a 2nd Year IB Analyst | 115 | 6.15 |
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Valuation: more art than science, more bullshit than art
the all nighter - just hilarious | 14 | 6.14 |
Students around the world: WSO is now accepting applications to be a Campus Rep at your school for the second half of the 2013-14 school year. We are looking for motivated students with a solid work ethic and strong communication skills who are willing to commit for the entire 2013-14 school... WSO Campus Representative Program | 113 | 6.13 |
Seeing as it's the last day of the year, I thought it wise to offer a bit of musing, as I have become so accustom to doing. Unlike my usual commentary, filled with thoughtful quotes and witticisms, the New Year is one of the few times that no quote or wise words of wisdom can convey the... New Years Musings | 13 | 6.13 |
Starting to get my head above water- having just come of out a fairly traumatic, life changing summer - I am a different man. To be honest I am dealing with a fair amount of PTSD from it. Being in the room when another baby passed... not to mention my own daughter's life/death... Giving thanks... | 13 | 6.13 |

If you are a teacher, you measure your life in quarters and... A new semester begins: Valuation class online | 11 | 6.11 |
A few posts on layoffs got me thinking of my unemployment spell a couple of years back, and I think that now would be a good time to go over lessons that I learned to keep myself sane and productive while searching for a new job.
The big key is to look at this as an opportunity... How to Survive and Thrive During Unemployment | 10 | 6.10 |
As there is only one thing on everyone's mind today I figured I would talk about something else. Something that is actually a crucial part of today and every day; arguably our greatest enemy and character flaw as human beings.
 Fear is the silent killer. ... Fear and Control | 7 | 6.07 |
Over the past couple of weeks, the wso users who found internships on wall street started hitting their desks. Many of you are... How to impress your co-workers and get a full-time offer | 7 | 6.07 |
[quote] Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Unknown [/quote]
Seeing as the Holidays are upon us, I thought it would be a nice reprieve, as I have in the past this year, to take a moment out of the secular world we live in and find a way to charge our spiritual... Christmas Musings | 6 | 6.06 |
You can't just be a good modeling monkey to impress your bosses. Along with financial... Know These 10 Pieces of Lingo for Private Equity and Venture Capital | 6 | 6.06 |
A friend is interviewing for an event-driven trader role at a few prop shops. He said it's supposedly a hybrid of trading/research,... Event-driven trading at prop shops | 5 | 6.05 |
Moderator Note (Andy) this was originally posted by bankerella on 9/5/12
All right, folks, got some hard stats here. Read 'em and weep, or rejoice (you know who you are).
Reminder: this is longitudinal career data from a sample set of several hundred bankers in... What banker careers REALLY look like: The DATA | 105 | 6.05 |
Hey all,
I was hoping to get some advice on how the recruiting game works for HF's for analysts at regional offices of... HF's from a BB regional office? | 3 | 6.03 |
The following is an interview with Deal Team Lead Manager skylinegtr94 (he is also available to answer your questions).
Are you a professional and want to do an interview? View our interview template <a... Interview with Deal Team Lead Manager (Part 1/2) | 2 | 6.02 |
Hello,I was told about this site about year ago from an analyst on our desk. I sell government bonds for a large BB. I am... Treasury Sales VP Taking Questions | 91 | 5.91 |
I would like to start a thread about US FT IB Analyst Application Online Deadlines at BBs and MMs. If you guys know the details for any of these banks I can update the list.
Here is what I have so far in no particular order:
<a... US FT IB Analyst Application Deadlines at BBs and MMs | 90 | 5.90 |
Hey everyone. Figured I would create a Class of 2014 thread for everyone thinking about applying for next years MSF programs. Good place to ask questions, compare profiles and meet others who are applying. 2014 MSF Class Thread | 86 | 5.86 |
I am the Head Research Analyst at a regional office of one of the best commercial real estate services firms on the globe. Day to day, I specialize in statistical market research, written analysis, database management, and copywriting/ghostwriting for pitches. I also serve my community on two... Ask Me Anything: Head Research Analyst (Commercial Real Estate) | 83 | 5.83 |
Hey guys, I got a lot out of these forums when I was an undergrad and I've decided its time to give back.
I went to a top target as an undergrad and have been working on the equity side at a mutual fund on the east coast with 100B+ AUM for about a year now.
I'd be happy to... I'm a research associate at a major mutual fund, Ask Me Anything | 83 | 5.83 |
Mod Note: Blast from the Past - "Best of Eddie". This one is originally from November 2010.
My buddy Pat lived in a condo on the beach, and it was a righteous location. When I say on the beach I mean when you opened his front door, you stepped out onto a large... Back-Door Mark: The Oracle of P.B. | 79 | 5.79 |
This is frankly infuriating. Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin and the State Legislature are trying to pass a bill that will strip Unions of collective bargaining rights and shift a fraction of their pension and healthcare cuts onto them. This is an average of a $153 pay cut per month. The... Wisconsin and the Failure of Reason (aka Unions Want High Salaries More Than Jobs) | 74 | 5.74 |
I thought it might be useful if we compiled information regarding the statuses of our applications for Asia recruiting. This has been done for many years in the past and I thought we could <a... HK/SIN IBD BB SA 2013 | 472 | 5.72 |
Mod (Andy) note: The much anticipated BlackHat interview is here (see part 1... The BlackHat Interview: 2/4 | 64 | 5.64 |
As a fair warning, I just got home from a networking event - mostly college kids, like myself - and I don't know if I should be extremely pleased or extremely irritated. I'm currently both.
Approx. 60% of the people I talked to were horribly, horribly awkward. Unable to <span... Protips: Not Being Awkward | 64 | 5.64 |
mod (Andy) note: "Blast from the past - Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from November 2010. If there's an old post from Eddie you'd like to see up again shoot me a message.
I've been meaning to do this for some time now and, with the... Uncle Eddie's Guide to Rum | 60 | 5.60 |
Good morning all,
I've spent a lot of time on this site, and asked quite a few questions myself, so I figured I'd do my part to give back by answering any questions you might have about <a... FLDP Q&A (Most questions answered) | 60 | 5.60 |
Hi all
Gained a lot of useful knowledge here back in the day. Have just started a PE gig after 3 yrs in <a href="http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-the-bulge-bracket-BB" rel="nofollow"... Ask me anything: Ex BB IBD analyst | 60 | 5.60 |
Andy note: some of the quotes below were published on CNBC / Yahoo awhile back: Want This Job? 'Let Me Sleep With Your... What's the hardest interview question you were ever asked? | 258 | 5.58 |
Hey all,
Was reading through Flake's ER Q&A posted around the holidays and thought that his thread was fantastic. My... Non-BB Equity Research Q&A with First Year Analyst | 56 | 5.56 |
I'm currently working as a pre-MBA associate at a leading Silicon Valley VC firm (nearly $1B in current AUM). Happy to take any questions about working as a VC associate, recruiting, etc.
In terms of my background, I've worked in both business operations at a startup and tech... Current VC associate taking questions | 55 | 5.55 |
So about 2 months ago I joined a group that does about $1 to 1.5 billion per year in commercial and commercial real estate loans. Our entire production and underwriting group is comprised of about 25 people. I've looked at a few dozen deals now that have made their way to my desk after... This is how guys are getting rich in real estate | 52 | 5.52 |
Favorite movies Talk to me | 51 | 5.51 |
In what is now becoming an excellent case study of capitalism in action, I've decided to respond to VanillaThunder's impressive grab of share in the CapIQ List/Silver Banana exchange market by changing my model quite a bit to preempt VT and other entrants.
No more extortion! Most... On The List: Regional Equity Research Groups | 49 | 5.49 |
Mod Note: Best of Eddie, this originally went up October 2010
Many of you remember a series I wrote earlier in the year entitled How To Kill a Bank (here's <a... How To Kill a Bank - The Final Chapter | 48 | 5.48 |
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you've probably heard the word Bitcoin thrown around in the news quite a bit. If you're a bit more web savvy, or an active Redditor, chances are you've... Bitcoin - Believe the Hype | 48 | 5.48 |
mod (Andy) note): "Best of Eddie" - while Eddie is on vacation we're throwing up some of his classic posts from the past. This one from June 2010 was the first in a series of 3 of "Sell Your Options". More to come later this week & next. If there's... Sell Your Options Dearly | 47 | 5.47 |
Application season is coming up, so I figured I would provide some unofficial info via Q&A on the program to those interested. Anything goes from admissions (chances, essays, interviews) to curriculum to class profile to quality of instruction to industry connections to job placement to... MIT MFin Q&A | 46 | 5.46 |
There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth at the close on Friday over the perceived lack of performance in the Facebook IPO. The stock priced at $38, opened at $42.50 (after a few hiccups at the NASDORK), and closed at exactly $38 after an effort by the syndicate members akin to the Spartans... IPO Pricing 101 | 43 | 5.43 |
Updated 2/7/2012:
All BB offers are out so which bank will u join next summer?
ill keep the posted updated.... HK BB IBD/CM 2012 SA Social (Future Colleagues Thread) | 342 | 5.42 |
Hey guys. Kenny F'in Powers, Chartered F'in Analyst, here. I've been away for a while getting my sh*t straight in Mexico/starting a new job. I missed a lot of PMs and forum discussions while I was busy, and I apologize for anyone who never heard back from me in the last few... I'm f***ing in, you're f***ing out | 42 | 5.42 |
I gotta say, my life has improved dramatically since I got to the point where I could control much of the messaging my team produces.
Before I go any further, huge caveat: this is completely culture-specific and audience-specific. There are some groups out there that would hand me my... How to Build F'ing Amazing Decks for a BSD | 41 | 5.41 |
To your friends, or girls in the club, or random people you meet? Are they impressed if you say you are a M&A investment banker with Goldman, Morgan, Merrills, JPMoran, etc.? What reactions have you received? How do people react when you tell them you are an Investment banker? | 140 | 5.40 |
After over one year in the making, the 2013 WSO Compensation Report is here!
Access to the FULL 108 page 2013 WSO Compensation Report is 100%... 2013 WSO Compensation Report has Arrived | 140 | 5.40 |
Mod note: Click here to see all of our q&a's and interviews

Over the... Non traditional investments Q and A | 39 | 5.39 |
I can't believe I waited as long as I did to run with the bulls. It's something I've wanted to do for at least 20 years and just never got to it until now, and that's a mistake you should avoid. The Festival San... The Encierro, Party Gravy, and Lost Youth | 38 | 5.38 |
You come from a non-target? Sucks to be you
You have a low GPA? Sucks to be you
You want a job in banking? Sucks to be you
I've been... How to get into banking - and WSO myths... | 38 | 5.38 |
enuf said.
if you don't know the story behind this clown, ask one of your banking friends. i'm sure his notorious email must've rounded all the banks by now.
And, I know you frequent this forum, JC. goes to show you how small the Street is. Jeffrey Chiang: You will never in your life ever work on Wall Street. | 137 | 5.37 |
Here's my story:
I will be graduating this semester from a non-target university, majoring finance and accounting, with a decent gpa (3.5 up). I started networking last summer, searching for that <a... Full Time Offer, at last! Thanks WSO! | 36 | 5.36 |
Hi Guys -
I'm working on a blog (or maybe ebook) to give junior staff and interns an idea of what it's REALLY like to... What would you like to know about Equity Sales / Research? | 35 | 5.35 |
Many of the questions that have come in surround recruiting for front office Wall Street careers from a non-target so we'll... Stand Out as a Non-Target: Recruiting (Part 1 of 4) | 34 | 5.34 |
Andy note: BIG thanks to bearing for doing the interview with me. bearing is a 3rd year equity research associate and... Equity Research Q&A with bearing | 33 | 5.33 |
Andy note: this was originally posted on 9/14/12
So last time we established that when I come to recruit at your school (and I promise you, today I am recruiting at a school attended by probably at least 40-50 of the people on this board), I'm really just doing it to... 3 ways to help your interviewer help you | 33 | 5.33 |
The following is Part 2 of an interview with WallStreetPlayboys (he is also available to answer your questions). See Part 1... Interview with WallStreetPlayboys: A Top 3 Institutional Investor Ranked Analyst (part 2/2) | 33 | 5.33 |
Game: that ineffable quality which all men aspire to possess, so we can attract women. People have written books and articles on it. Heck, there are men out there who call themselves "pickup artists" and do this for a living.
Your humble blogger is no... Improving your game | 32 | 5.32 |
I've been fortunate enough to meet HPM two years ago at the first Energy Rodeo in Houston and recently had the opportunity to ask him some questions which the WSO audience could find useful. HPM works in strategy at... HappyPantsMcgee the Interview. | 32 | 5.32 |
This is just one of those threads, where we talk about what the ER industry is like. I'm a first year associate at a... Observations of an Equity Research Associate | 31 | 5.31 |
Feel free to ask anything you'd like about investment banking. Open for questions. Ask a 2nd Year Analyst | 131 | 5.31 |
This stunning footage was taken moments after Lazard brass announced an unprecedented entire weekend off for their analysts after a... Lazard Analysts Given ENTIRE Weekend Off | 31 | 5.31 |
. . | 31 | 5.31 |
Current gig: Private Equity Associate

Location: New York, NY

Current mobile device: iPhone 5, iPad II both synced with office network and Outlook

Current... How I Work - Rufiolove Edition | 30 | 5.30 |
Below is the first installment of an interview with WSO Certified User and 2nd year banking analyst... Interivew with duffmt6, 2nd Year IBD Analyst, Part 1/2 | 29 | 5.29 |
I joined the Big Four out of college. I wound up in the CRE valuation/advisory group. Finding a job had been difficult for me. I knew that I wanted to be in finance, but I was a dumb college kid and had no focus. I figured this job could be a springboard.
Broke in from the Big Four | 28 | 5.28 |

Travel in general can be among the most stressful things to do, but it can also be among the most exciting. Business travel isn't generally the exciting type, but it doesn't have to be a major source of stress either. The work you'll be doing remotely will likely be stressful... Business Travel 101 | 28 | 5.28 |
I was originally going to write my long success story, but instead I'll keep this brief and point out some key things that I believe aspiring monkeys should know. I am in no ways an expert on breaking in, but believe I can at least provide a bit of direction. Quick background: Marine Corps... From Front Line to Front Office | 27 | 5.27 |
Mod Note: This comment comes from "Bankers and bad relationships" and quickly gatthered up 13 sb's. We thought it deserved to go on the homepage in case you missed... The single most important choice you will ever have to really make is the person you marry. | 27 | 5.27 |
To echo the post from Tier2Sta, I also handed in my resignation today after nearly 10 years in finance, primarily in IB, at both the <a... Exit Ops - The End of The Show II | 26 | 5.26 |
Where do i even start..I learned so much from this forum. The brutally honest opinions, sincere willingness to help, the technical information and random tips on everything has been absolutely crucial for me landing this offer.
Coming from a non-target I didnt get that 3rd year SA position at... Thank you WSO! Got my FT Offer! ADVICE NEEDED | 26 | 5.26 |
Hello everyone
I put up a post once a year on this topic and this year will be no different...
While not a "to do" this is simply a game plan to help close the gap from student to s&t....
1. Take care of your grades.. while a good gpa may not get a job, a bad gpa will not... Some advice on getting a job or internship by Monty09 | 25 | 5.25 |
First off, I have really really wanted to write this post for almost two years now and to be able to finally write it is fucking awesome.
Secondly, I know that there have been a few posts like this recently, but still I wanted to say thanks to all on this board who gave me help... WSO has... Thank you, WSO | 25 | 5.25 |
Hey guys,
Through a friend I was able to receive the below watch at a steep discount. However, I am a little weary on the gold. What are your thoughts? Appropriate in the workplace?
Thanks in... Thoughts on this Watch | 24 | 5.24 |
So it has been four weeks since I left energy trading and opened my own shop.
While not <a... What is the best thing about going out on your own and starting something... | 23 | 5.23 |
This is my first post here in Wall Street Oasis. [Applause]. In order to get some inspiration, I have been reading a bunch of forum threads in an effort to find a good and interesting topic to write about. I noticed endless discussions about the long hours endured by the IB folks, the whole... City Smackdown - Part 1: Empire State of Mind | 23 | 5.23 |
I remember doing informational interviews on the <a... Wall Street Is Back | 23 | 5.23 |
So as I mentioned in BlackHat's excellent post on how to break down a 10K (see here: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/anatomy-of-the-<a... Evaluating Commercial Banks (part 1 of ??) | 23 | 5.23 |
[quote]It's a classic peasant mentality: going into fits of groveling and bowing whenever the master's carriage rides by, then fuming against the Turks in Crimea or the Jews in the Pale or whoever after spending fifteen hard hours in the fields. You know you're a peasant when you... Feudalism in America? | 22 | 5.22 |
Hey guys,
Found this site over at ZH, lots of free pdfs that deal with trading.
Haven't had the time to really look through... Traders Library | 22 | 5.22 |
Because of my GMAT score and the dismal state of MBA applications, I know it makes absolutely no difference what I write here. Normally, I would... My real response to the MBA essay | 22 | 5.22 |
Death has finally come for Christopher Hitchens, as it does for us all. He succumbed to esophageal cancer yesterday at the age of 62. I'd normally be writing Bonus Bananas today, but I feel like it would be disrespectful to ignore the passing of a writer who has had a profound influence on... Pouring One Out for Hitch | 22 | 5.22 |
Here's my contribution to the "How I Work" posts since I can't think of anything else interesting this week. And no, I don't care if you don't care.
Current gig: Algorithmic trader at proprietary <span... How I Work - peyo212 Edition | 22 | 5.22 |
Hey everyone,
Recently changed my username. I am quite ecstatic about my recent offer in Equity Research and decided to add my experience/story to the knowledge pool. Mainly because WSO was instrumental in helping me decide which b-schools to apply to, how to form a story and network.
A... How WSO Changed My Life and Helped Get Me A Job | 21 | 5.21 |
I generally don't like to list things that make me mad. Otherwise, this server would crash quite often.
There are certain times, however, that watershed moments occur and <a... What the fudge Goldman!? | 21 | 5.21 |
Full disclosure: I'm currently a senior about to graduate in May, and unless I flunk every class this semester, I will leave with a 3.9 and summa cum laude honors from a public university. I see a lot of people on Wall Street Oasis who I feel are much smarter than me-- at least... How I Get Top Grades in UG | 21 | 5.21 |
I've noticed that there is a dearth of information and answers about this area of Wall Street here on WSO, so I've decided to give a basic overview of prime brokerage—what it is, how it fits in the overall picture, and what its responsibilities are. To really drive home the explanations,... What Is Prime Brokerage? | 21 | 5.21 |
I would like to extend a warm welcome to myself, Prestigious Pete. I am a jealousy amalgam, created from combining all the conceited, self-assured finance super douches into one man called Prestigious Pete.
After finishing up at Andover, I went on to attend Yale University, where I majored in... Prestigious Pete | 220 | 5.20 |
"So, what did the market do today?"
When people ask that question, most likely they are talking about the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Our minds consciously flip to it anytime there is market news; heck, we even articulate our views on the markets in terms of this... 3 Reasons Why the Dow is Utterly Useless | 19 | 5.19 |
Hey guys, this is Adam checking in. The latest episode is below -- after you watch it if you could read the text below I'd appreciate it...

<a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6974949/two-years-and-out" target="_blank"
<a... Adam the Analyst - Episode 7: Two Years and Out | 18 | 5.18 |
What I Did To Overcome: Without having a full time investment banking experience or an Ivy League education, I had fought an uphill battle to get a front-office position for five years (2007-2011). Previously, I did  70% in 7 sections including all the big ones, 3 between 50-70) in exactly three months. I attribute my success mainly to discipline and desire to pass (Unlike 90% of people taking the test, I've been wanting to take the test since... My CFA Study Tracking Sheet | 18 | 5.18 |
I recently received an message to a comment I made how I was able to break into IB as an intern and would like to provide a nice update to where I am in my career.
Original Story from April 2012:
My Story (A Thank You Card to Patrick and the Team) | 18 | 5.18 |
Mod Note (Andy): That time of year is just around the corner, here's some WSO threads my content intern pulled up for you guys. Hope you find the links helpful! Need the FT Recruiting Megathread? You can find it here <a... Summer Analyst Recruiting Mega Thread | 18 | 5.18 |
On Tuesday, I gave a thorough breakdown of how a pre-MBA candidate should approach the Private Equity Interview Case Study. In keeping with the <span... Three Do's and Don'ts of Private Equity Interviews | 17 | 5.17 |
1. When does PE recruiting cycle start?
Varies from year to year, but for the last 3 cycles, the main process has either run during March / April of your 1st year (2012 and 2014 Associate classes) or January / February of your 2nd year (2013 Associate... Basic Questions About PE Recruiting Answered | 17 | 5.17 |
In the first post in this series I was talking about big strategic decisions in life. I made the point that maybe small decisions drain a lot of time and energy from us, and that could... The Great Strategic Game of Life (2/2) | 16 | 5.16 |
We published part one last week which can be seen here and we are using Facebook as an example as it is well known to almost everyone.
See Part 1... Basic Guide Ramping Up On A Company With Public Information (Part 2 of 3) | 15 | 5.15 |
Well here I am, at it again giving back my two cents for the whole dollar I got from this great website.
A few people know my background and for those who do not; here is the Reader's Digest version.
I am a former business owner who lost his business thanks to the small business credit... How to break into IBD from a non traditional background (the real essentials) | 15 | 5.15 |
You have networked like a ninja. You've tapped all connections available. (Or you go to a target school or something of that nature.) You've read through WSO, M&I, WSJ, DealBook, and all relevant literature. Through persistence, dedication, etc. you now have an interview. You know how... How to nail an interview | 15 | 5.15 |

So plenty has happened since my last post on Tesla, and to the untrained eye it seems like only good news coming from the Tesla hype-mobile. Well, despite my own thoughts on these things, this post is going to contain no more color than I've already given in the past two... 10 Facts/Headscratchers from the Ongoing TSLA Saga | 15 | 5.15 |
This is a damn long post so if you want to get to the meat of it just scroll down to the list and the closing statement. Otherwise read on. I will start by talking about myself and then move on to my advice. I will start off by saying that throughout all of my early... The Secret to getting through hard times and being happy | 14 | 5.14 |
Fellow Monkeys,
If you're a non-target kid like me, you know the rules: network, network, network.
Personally, I enjoy it, so I made a little list that might help some people out there like me: e-mail formats for a handful of firms you all might be interested in. I stole from a few... Firm E-mail Formats | 14 | 5.14 |
Short story:
I did really badly in school, didn't bother studying. ( Engineering ) Realized my mistake when I was in my final year and started to panic when I knew I had to get a proper job or I'll end up as a loser. Started exploring options in banks and tried to network my way into... I am in Ops. Ask me anything. | 114 | 5.14 |
 Editor Note: This is meant to be a live and ongoing discussion and resource for anyone seriously considering investing abroad. Any questions whatsoever about living abroad, value investing, China, and cross-border <a... Emerging Markets Investment Guide | 14 | 5.14 |
Alright folks, I decided on the final version of this list.
Search: select the column you want to search by and use search by keyword, that's the best search option I've got.
--If you're searching for rotations, select the "Rotate" column and enter... Final version: LDPs/rotations list | 14 | 5.14 |
There are lots of posts on WSO about getting a job as an early stage VC analyst. People ask things like what major should you be in college, should you go into Ibanking first, or should you try startups first. By this point, many have identified that the best way to approach this is to first... Early Stage VC 101: 5 Questions You Better Be Able to Answer | 14 | 5.14 |
Mod Note: This is a syndication from Jared's Daily Dirtnap daily market newsletter. WSO readers qualify for a $100 discount...just email [email protected] and mention "WSO Monkey Discount" You can follow Jared on twitter at @dailydirtnap
People often... STICK WITH THE WINNERS | 14 | 5.14 |
Here is how I spend my down time.... I fking hate AA, yet I love them for doing this.
http://i.americanapparel.net/storefront/UGCStyle/BestBottom2010/index.asp *possibly* NSFW, but its AA Got some time to kill? | 13 | 5.13 |
Here is an updated list to the one I posted two years ago.... 2010 Energy Trading List | 13 | 5.13 |
For all my fellow monkeys reading pleasure, so without further ado, Margin of Safety:
http://www.my10000dollars.com/MS.pdf
Heres the... Just saved you guys 820 dollars (Margin of Saftey) | 13 | 5.13 |
Check these motherfuckers beating on this helpless guy. These assholes are giving him brutal kicks to the head, and for no reason whatsoever. People like this make me sick.
I dont care how old they were but I would have kicked the shit out of... 7 dudes beat on one Chinese guy | 113 | 5.13 |
We are now Reddit!!!! WSO Gone Wild | 13 | 5.13 |
After spending a few years on the site, I've noticed a lot of misinformation spread around regarding the banks who don't quite fit into the <a... The Forgotten IBD: Big 4 Corporate Finance - Q&A | 113 | 5.13 |
I recently provided a friend of a friend with some random thoughts on interviewing for an analyst position at a MM PE fund. He seemed to think they were helpful, so here's a slightly cleaned up version of some of it in case anyone cares. Obviously this is just one data point, so take it for... Random Thoughts on MM PE Analyst Interviews | 12 | 5.12 |

So you found out just a little bit late that you want—need—to be an investment banker. Maybe you just missed OCR. Or maybe you didn't get a job through OCR and are scrambling, still with no luck. Or maybe you are a year removed from undergrad... Fashionably Late: 6 Steps for Off-Cycle Recruiting | 12 | 5.12 |
I have been writing about valuation for a long time and for much of that time period, I chose to ignore the effects, positive or negative, that governments can have on the value of businesses. Implicitly, I was assuming that governments could affect the value of a business only through the tax... Governments and Value: Part 1 - Nationalization Risk | 11 | 5.11 |
Ok, hear me out, this is slightly dorky but worthwhile.
One of my favourite parts of WSO is when you find a thread which is legitimately useful to those who are lucky enough to have themselves a job; contains advice not on universities, exit opps, networking but on a financial concept or... Accounting / Financial Theory / Technicals Forum | 11 | 5.11 |
The pressure to excel is higher than ever. With the economy, market, and political structures of our society rapidly fluctuating, job prospects are becoming limited and competition is becoming incredibly difficult to maintain.
Parents, mentors, and peers continue to add to the pressure.... Top 5 Must-Have Skills for 2013 | 11 | 5.11 |
When I first started as a PE analyst, I constantly struggled with judging the amount of time I should spend on reviewing sourced deals. How much time is enough to really get a handle on the company's revenue streams? How granular do I need my analysis to be on industry threats? With this... Misguided Efforts: A Cautionary Tale | 11 | 5.11 |
Friend of mine is looking for resumes but you MUST met the following:
1. GPA above 3.4
2. Degree in Finance, Accounting, Math
3. S/T... Energy Trading Job - Apply Now | 10 | 5.10 |
There's been more than a few questions floating around WSO about the interview Stock Pitch.
How to do it?
What to look for?
Does it really matter?
Well, Mebane Faber of Cambria Investment Management <a... The Stockpicker's Checklist | 10 | 5.10 |
Andy note: this comment was originally posted inside City Smackdown 1 - Empire State of Mind and I thought it should be made into its own post for those who didn't... My Three Free Months in NYC | 10 | 5.10 |
Both seem to be fairly large funds with a pretty lean investment team. anyone know about these two? Jordan Company, Kelso | 9 | 5.09 |
I'm at a BB (coverage group) looking to make a move onto the buy-side. Has any of heard of Morningwood Capital Partners?... Morningwood Capital Partners! HELP!!! | 9 | 5.09 |
Below is the second and final part of an interview with WSO Certified User and 2nd year banking analyst... Interview with duffmt6, 2nd Year IBD Analyst, (part 2/2) | 9 | 5.09 |
We all fail at things. Even WSO members, most of us being pretty privileged and naturally capable, fail at one thing catastrophically: writing resumes.
I can't say that I'm an expert at this, but having reviewed resumes in the software industry, where people are comparable to Wall... Resumes: The Yin and Yang | 8 | 5.08 |
For the last two decades, I have dedicated the first two weeks of each new year to a ritual. I obtain/collect/download data on all publicly traded companies listed globally, using a variety of data sources, and then analyze and present the data, aggregated at a number of different levels: by... Data Update 2013: The Dark Side of Numbers | 8 | 5.08 |
Hey guys,
Going to switch it up a bit today and see if there are any monkeys out there that'll be going through the MBA cycle in the upcoming months (Harvard's R1 is due 9 weeks from now...wow). Please, for the love of God, don't turn this into a debate of "Is an MBA worth... Class of 2016 MBA Applicants | 108 | 5.08 |
Once and for all - Here is the best guidebook I can give you for PWM/<span... Private Wealth Management/Private Banking Guide for Associates | 7 | 5.07 |
My appetite for knowledge changes with the seasons, and as fall rolls into a full-blown depression mixed with an unstoppable force of hormonal surges, I have sunk my inexplicable desire for information into my new subject of obsession: Vee Cee
As a result of my <a... "You ain't getting that job" -three major VCs & a Harvard Prof | 7 | 5.07 |
[Mod Note: WSO now has a Company Database where you can filter by industry (PE) and zip code: ... Cap IQ List of PE Firms | 106 | 5.06 |
Since the other osama thread turned into a jellyfest over politics Im just gonna say this here.
I fucking love America, and Osama's defeat is a great day for all of us. That said, if you're gonna exploit it to argue your rightist or leftist viewpoints shut the fuck up. Give us one... Dear WSO, | 6 | 5.06 |
Strangely enough, I was at one of the few remaining bookstores awhile back and picked up Rodney Dangerfield's biography ("It aint easy being me") just to kill a few minutes. I have always loved dangerfield and actually when I was in high school I burned through his original tape... Rodney Dangerfield and perserverence... | 6 | 5.06 |
In my last post, I looked at the negative effects on <a... Governments and Value II: Subsidies and Value | 6 | 5.06 |
Ok, Im using Excel 2007, and I've had this problem once before in <a... What the UFCK is up with my Excel | 6 | 5.06 |
It has often been said that valuation is more of an art than a science. Or at least to become a strong practitioner of valuation you need to be one darn creative scientist. I can think of no place where this is closer to the truth that when analyzing or creating valuations for companies in... Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Art of Valuations | 6 | 5.06 |
Mod note: This is one of the top ranked WSO comments of all time by user initialsCG from the thread "Bankers and Bad Relationships" (5/5/13). <a... The Single Most Important Choice You Will Ever Make | 6 | 5.06 |
Good afternoon, folks. I wanted to deliver a brief retrospective on the first ever WallStreetOasis Conference that took place this past Saturday.
First and foremost, Patrick and the rest of the team working behind the scenes did a fantastic job. I had reasonable expectations going into it,... WSO Conference 1.0: A Retrospective and Some Advice | 5 | 5.05 |
Any Asset Management people here who could give me some insights on it, such as the nature of the work, the pay, the hours, the potential for career advancement, ect? I was looking into IB before but I've decided that I would rather pursue a career that's more intellectually... Asset Management a better choice than Investment Banking? | 4 | 5.04 |
They trade billions of dollars worth of instruments..why can't they do this?
[quote]Can an Algorithm Replace Stock Analysts?
Now the company says it doesn't just want to do the job of business journalists, but also the work done by financial... Financial Analysts, Meet Skynet | 4 | 5.04 |
I was just curious about the potential to lateral from commercial banking to IBD, PE, VC, <span... future options for lateraling | 3 | 5.03 |
I found it burdensome to scroll through all of the pages in the "The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions" thread to find harvardgrad08's responses to everyone's questions, so I copied and pasted all of his posts (as of 3/28/13) into one Word... harvardgrad08's The Other Road: Q&A Word Doc | 3 | 5.03 |
Mod note: Feel free and ask Jared anything and he will be on today answering your questions.
Bio: Jared Dillian graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1996 with a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, and from the University of San Francisco in 2001 with a... I'm an Author and Former Head ETF Trader at Lehman, Ask Me Anything | 103 | 5.03 |
* WSO Score is the way we rank threads across time. The threads and blog posts with the highest WSO Scores typically are the more useful, interesting and/or entertaining discussions in our history.