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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 Moelis/Houlihan/Evercore type firms (I call them the firms where most people will... 15 things I wish I knew as a first year banking analyst | 92 | 63.92 |
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? | 105 | 54.05 |
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 | 96 | 46.96 |
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 | 105 | 45.05 |
Since there aren't any decent/active discussions on the HF forum, I figure I start a thread highlighting the good, bad, and ugly aspects of working at a hedge fund. This is based on my personal experiences so don't take them as gospel.
Hopefully others will contribute with their own... The Hedge Fund Experience - Good, Bad, Ugly | 200 | 38 |
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 | 55 | 37.55 |
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 |
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 | 269 | 34.69 |
Given the multiple requests I got in another thread I've decided to follow in 10xleverage's footsteps.
To give you some background, I graduated from Harvard undergrad in 2008. After graduation I moved to the bay area to join the 2 year finance leadership analyst program at a F500... The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions | 273 | 32.73 |
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 | 32.38 |
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 |
[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... | 83 | 31.83 |
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 | 31 | 31.31 |
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 3/2/12
In the past few months, I've been approached on a... My not-so-secrets to success | 77 | 30.77 |
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 | 30.5 |
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 | 29.68 |
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 | 242 | 29.42 |
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 front office position fails to... Here is How Equity Research Works | 86 | 28.86 |
So I've seen a few posts lately asking about mutual funds, asset management gigs, and alternatives to the sell-side out of college, and hopefully my experience taking the asset management route to hedge fund rather than banking can help people get a better idea of what the expectations will... Life at a Top Asset Manager | 154 | 28.54 |
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 | 26.02 |
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 BB/EB. I'm starting full time this... Finance Culture - Personalities | 75 | 25.75 |
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"? | 122 | 25.22 |
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 | 24.56 |
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 | 67 | 22.67 |
HF Satire Babydick Capital Investor Presentation | 54 | 22.54 |
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 fund industry, particularly in how one goes from the start of an investment idea, to taking a position, to... Hedge Fund: The Investment Life Cycle | 52 | 22.52 |
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 |
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 | 22.19 |
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 interns have with using Excel properly. Because of this, I have created a brief tutorial on some basic functions of Excel... Stop Using Your Mouse | 80 | 20.8 |
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 |
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 | 19.84 |
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 |
***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 ER
It seems like there are fair amount of people who are interested in Equity Research on this site. There are a lot of good advices being given and having... NYSSA Equity Research Initiation Report | 26 | 19.26 |
"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 |
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: 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 |
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 | 17.64 |
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 | 44 | 17.44 |
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 | 26 | 17.26 |
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 | 17.22 |
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 | 95 | 16.95 |
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 | 79 | 16.79 |
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 FO gig at a top MM investment bank.
I have been waiting a long time to finally have the opportunity to create this post. I am... I did it. | 68 | 16.68 |
I did it!!!
For those who are not in the know here is a quick recap. I was offered a FO BB in AM last month. It was then quickly rescinded for a genuinely stupid reason. Then last week I got a call asking me to come in to talk to a panel for one last shot to show my qualifications. Well I... 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 | 142 | 16.42 |
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 energy trading group and send me an email and I will take a look and offer advice.
Hope all is well and... 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 |
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 |
I keep hearing the phrase models and bottles, and basically, if you have money to do bottle service to girls, you get laid. But, I've never actually understood how the entire mating ritual known at models and bottles works.
Now, where do these girls come from? Are they just randoms you... 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 flipping through some of my notes and wanted to share some of the rules I have followed which generally apply to all traders.

Develop your own... 7 Indispensable Rules For Traders | 10 | 15.1 |
Hey Everybody - if any of you are looking for a quality GMAT preparation I'd encourage you to check out our partnership with Veritas Prep here because WSO members get 10% off: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/veritas-gmat-prep-discount
For those of you thinking of an MBA with admissions... Ask Alex at MBA Apply | 1060 | 14.6 |
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 | 56 | 14.56 |
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 | 14.5 |
After my original post describing why I decided to resign from Rothschild and start my own company, we have since expanded Rickshaw to 22 currencies and 6 languages. Passengers... How to Make an App if You Only Know Investment Banking | 39 | 14.39 |
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 | 34 | 14.34 |
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 | 130 | 14.3 |
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 SA thread.
Listen, getting an interview for investment banking is not like getting accepted into college.
Some people say college is a crap... 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 |
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 | 106 | 14.06 |
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 | 13.62 |
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 | 13.49 |
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 | 13.46 |
 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 |
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 | 41 | 13.41 |
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 |
This was a originally posted June 2012 but is a great refresher for the incoming intern class this summer
So the interns are out in full force. Hoards of them.
(Before I get into this-- I have no idea why they are called "SA's" these days- they will... Silly Shit Interns Do | 118 | 13.18 |
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 |
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 | 12.98 |
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 |
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 through the more popular posts on WSO, and a good chunk of them revolve around... What It Really Means to Be "Alpha" | 281 | 12.81 |
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 | 12.71 |
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 | 64 | 12.64 |
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 |
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 | 12.44 |
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 BB Banks and multi billionaires).
I've seen the evidence the forensic accountants... Divorces: Beating the Courts | 40 | 12.4 |
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 | 12.370000000000001 |
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 |
Discussions that center upon issues such as "which b-school is better", "M&A, ECM or DCM" and "which desk within S&T" usually make me uneasy. Don't get me wrong, I am not a madman, and I realize the importance of getting as many right choices as possible. In select cases I... The Great Strategic Game of Life (1/2) | 18 | 12.18 |
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 | 16 | 12.16 |
Ever feel that the CFA curriculum is a bit incomprehensible at times?

Every topic makes sense when you're going through it, but for me, it's difficult to recall at short notice what each topic is about.

10 main topics, each fairly... The CFA Curriculum, As Explained by Two Cows | 15 | 12.15 |
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 |
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 bulge bracket investment bank. Yet he couldn't remember the last time he... 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 | 11.5 |
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 | 11.45 |
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 | 11.44 |
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! | 42 | 11.42 |
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 | 39 | 11.39 |
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 | 131 | 11.31 |
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 resume review thread, I figured I'd share my story and try to give back to WSO as much as... How I Fought My Way Back (Vol. Bruce Wayne in TDKR) | 29 | 11.29 |
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 |
It's been over 3 years since I first came across WSO as a junior in college. Eventually, I was able to land an IBD analyst gig at a BB. My experience has largely been great, and I am now a 2nd year analyst who will soon join the buyside. I owe a debt of gratitude to many, not the least of... 7 Practical Tips for Entering 1st Year IBD Analysts | 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 |
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 | 509 | 11.09 |
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 | 200 | 11 |
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 | 82 | 10.82 |
Prior reading: Hedge Fund: The Investment Life Cycle. Quick background: Penn undergrad - 2 years at AM firm - 2 years at large HF - currently in 1st year at 2-3b long/short HF with... 3rd Year HF Analyst Q&A | 70 | 10.7 |
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 | 10.6 |
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 | 60 | 10.6 |
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 |
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 |
I created this post in response to the CFA Time Management post earlier this week. Many of us monkeys either work full-time or have other obligations which make it hard to create, let alone stay on track, of our study schedule. The template attached is set up to help you keep... CFA Schedule Template | 28 | 10.28 |
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 |
When you go through the interview process with private equity firms, particularly if you move along in a process at a middle market PE shop, you will almost certainly be asked to do a case study. I know from personal experience that I had to do it with the middle... Some Thoughts on Private Equity Interview Case Studies | 15 | 10.15 |
So you are fascinated by the financial markets and maybe even interested in trading? Great, but access to information doesn't come cheap and can be a real differentiator. After all, how can you possibly get an edge on what is going on if you don't even have a fraction of... 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 |
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 worked with a newly arrived director from our Frankfurt office to set up transport industry coverage in Asia and also spent time in Shanghai... I resigned from Rothschild to start a company | 94 | 9.94 |
Moderator note (Andy): this was originally posted on 5/17/12,  Here is the link to his study guide
Background: I recently took the GMAT... How I got a 770 on the GMAT with minimal effort while working banking hours… | 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 |
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? | 56 | 9.56 |
I worked in the back office at an AM for 2 years before leaving for greener pastures. Now my job did suck, but there were a few benefits to the situation that I was in and that I'm sure a lot of you are in right now.
1. Free time at the office – The back office is a pretty easy and... 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 noticed that the phrase "get a high GPA" is mentioned in almost every thread discussing recruitment, getting into banking, how to improve, etc., but... 10 Tips to Maximize Your GPA | 50 | 9.5 |
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 bulge bracket banks under the S&T umbrella. I currently work in this industry (one of the big players GS/MS/JPM/DB) and am here to answer any... 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

HF job through... Finishing 1st Year as HF Analyst - Ask Anything | 141 | 9.41 |
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 GPA, ECs, etc. This story will be a long one, but I want to give as much detail as possible, because I have been through so... Non Target sub 3.0 -> BO -> FT Analyst. Long, Detailed Success Story!! | 40 | 9.4 |
Mod (Andy) note: The much anticipated BlackHat interview is here (see part 1,... The BlackHat Interview: 3/4 | 39 | 9.39 |
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 |
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 internships... Non-Target Success. Hard Work Does Pay Off | 32 | 9.32 |
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 trading recruitment... 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 HF. This one talks about getting that first interview.
If you're in a decent group, most--if not all--the major headhunters will reach out... 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 Street, email is the primary means of communication – in other words, the primary method of transferring and generating work. The curse of the buzzing... Going Postal Over These 4 Work Emails | 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 |
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 | 24 | 9.24 |
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 | 9.21 |
<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 | 9.2 |
I have seen a few posts on the Commodities Trading forum asking about how petroleum trading is priced, hedged, etc. I was reasonably high up in Risk Management for a "major" trading company in Houston for a few years and am now running a hedge book at a smaller company, so I thought I may... Physical Oil Trading Basics (Part 1 of 2) | 19 | 9.19 |
 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 informational interview with a HF manager. Since I... Preparing for the HF informational interview | 14 | 9.14 |
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 | 11 | 9.11 |
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 private equity, I... 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 investment bank is your first time in a professional... Five Thoughts on Wall Street Bathroom Breaks | 97 | 8.97 |
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 the deal I have been working on won't close by the end of the year. This means I'm going to have a few slow weeks heading into the holidays and will need something to do. I've been getting a lot of PMs about Real Estate lately and thought it would be good to get a good Q&A... Real Estate Q&A | 71 | 8.71 |
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 | 8.7 |
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 GSAM derivatives middle office team, a position... 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 |
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 | 8.5 |
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 who'll read this, please add your most frequented excel shortcuts, and own collection/links of Excel Add-Ins/Macros/Tools in the comments down below. That way when any new WSO... 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 |
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 | 8.4 |
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 then once they score that offer they seem to think that's it, that they can call it a day. I understand it's only natural to want to do the least... 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 read courtesy of OptionsHouse that breaks down Delta for those that are interested.
Delta is a numerical value that describes an option in several... 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 |
UG Recruiting Part I: How a Resume Becomes an Interview
<a... UG Recruiting Part III: The Super Day and Offer | 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, GPA, credentials etc. However, with the help of individuals on the board who... Against All Odds | 26 | 8.26 |
Summary This is not a financial modeling course like the one that is offered at Wall Street Prep, Investment Banking Institute or Analyst Exchange. Mod Note Not WSO competing products. Rather this is a series of free tutorials that help... 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 |
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 | 21 | 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 private equity funds ("the... M&A Transaction Timeline | 19 | 8.19 |
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 | 15 | 8.15 |
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 been out of the business for a couple of years now (my choice) and I just wanted to give you guys some advice about the financial industry (this was inspired by Greg... Former BB VP giving advice to all you wannabe bankers | 111 | 8.11 |
Hey Everybody - if any of you are looking for a quality GMAT preparation I'd encourage you to check out our partnership with Veritas Prep here because WSO members get 10% off: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/veritas-gmat-prep-discount
For those of you thinking of an MBA with admissions... Ask Stacy Blackman Consulting - Business School Admissions | 508 | 8.08 |
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 investment bank. He also has co-op experience in management... The 10 commandments for surviving your summer internship | 7 | 8.07 |
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 Zone. <a... Avoiding The Marriage Zone | 93 | 7.93 |
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 | 7.9 |
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 | 7.75 |
(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 |
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 |
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 | 7.5600000000000005 |
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 | 7.5600000000000005 |
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 trading:

Have at least 5k. If you dont have that then get it somehow, use your... How to Start Trading (Compliments of Bondarb) | 53 | 7.53 |
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) | 51 | 7.51 |
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 | 7.5 |
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 | 7.5 |
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 |
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 | 7.44 |
Mod note: Click here to see all of our q&a's and interviews

I figured I... Open for Questions - Equities in Dallas | 43 | 7.43 |
This is all representative of commonsense (but ultimately bad) advice I got during undergrad and followed blindly during internships. I sorted it all out by the end of my analyst program, but this was frequently accompanied by discomfort, late nights, and general suck.
You might disagree... 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 |
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 employment at all. Well I'm here to tell not every kid in high finance is a 4.0 Ivy leaguer. I graduated from a top 20 but non-target school with a... A message for all the 3.0 GPA, non-targets trying to get into IB | 35 | 7.35 |
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 PE interview at a top MM firm and... My last post for a while | 32 | 7.32 |
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 management... M/B/B Consultant Answering Your Questions | 131 | 7.3100000000000005 |
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 |
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, BB, consulting, HFs, you name it. If you are interviewing for S&T, today is your lucky... S&T Interview Coming Up? Read This First | 28 | 7.28 |
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 | 128 | 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 |
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 | 7.27 |
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 |
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 | 7.2 |
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 | 17 | 7.17 |
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 |
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 |
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 | 13 | 7.13 |
Disgraced Bear Stearns hedge fund manager Ralph Cioffi has found his happy place. Still only one of two high-profile bankers to face criminal charges since the crash (the other was his... 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 |
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 |
A few quick thoughts:
- ML bonus was for a large part, retention bonuses, which are ABSOLUTELY necessary in a merger of this nature. Without these bonuses and they retention agreements they... 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 | 69 | 6.6899999999999995 |
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 trading. There's also a bunch of rules and paperwork that, honestly, few bankers have time... 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 | 59 | 6.59 |
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 | 59 | 6.59 |
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 BB is... 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 |
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 |
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 |
Official ibankingoasis belief in God poll. Any religion with a God accepted. I'll start.
Don't. Do you believe in God? | 543 | 6.43 |
Many of you remember a series I wrote earlier in the year entitled How To Kill a Bank (here's Part 1 and <a... How To Kill a Bank - The Final Chapter | 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 | 6.4 |
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 | 6.4 |
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 | 39 | 6.39 |
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 bracket firms, but I've also met people from those same schools who can't seem to land a great job. Conversely, I've met guys from non-target... 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 |
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 | 6.3 |
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 | 129 | 6.29 |
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 | 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 |
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 | 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 |
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 | 26 | 6.26 |
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 brain teasers. Later some asshat might take it upon himself to inform you it was because you wore a... The Number One Reason You Were Dinged | 25 | 6.25 |
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 BB where my old man works.
After a few minutes with him, he basically... Some Thoughts on Interviews | 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 |
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 LBO shop which may shut down, so I am... World's Best PE Recruiter Database - Need Your Help to Finish It! | 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 UBS healthcare left for Jefferies, I'm only going to comment GENERALLY and on my OWN experiences at a mid-tier Bulge... Picking the Right Group | 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 | 6.2 |
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 |

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 |
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 | 6.14 |
Zerohedge has a copy of a 61 page research report that Citi released yesterday about the the FICC trading operations at banks. It's probably the best resource available for people interested in learning more about the trading of the asset classes within FICC S&T and the banks that... Citi's Report on Banks' FICC trading | 13 | 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 | 6.1 |
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 asking yourselves how you can impress the analysts and associates you work with. Let me give you a simple answer. You can, but you're probably... 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 |
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 | 104 | 6.04 |
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 |
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 Goldman Sachs and have spent most of my professional career in and around the financial industry. I worked on both the... B-School Q&A w/ Betsy Massar of Master Admissions | 299 | 5.99 |
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 IBD.
Folks, why IBD? The finance world is broad and varied, and there are a million ways to... My Biggest Career Mistake to Date: Prestige | 96 | 5.96 |
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 | 92 | 5.92 |
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 going to try to maintain some anonymity here, so please do not ask me which bank. Also I have no interest in networking through this site. I get 10 calls a day from college... Treasury Sales VP Taking Questions | 91 | 5.91 |
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) | 80 | 5.8 |

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 | 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 carry on the tradition.
I'll keep the post updated as everyone's results start... HK/SIN IBD BB SA 2013 | 471 | 5.71 |
For better or for worse, there's a very unique feeling when everything goes completely according to plan yet nobody seems to care or notice. Such is the case with our favorite company of the moment, Tesla Motors. For those unaware, TSLA has rocketed upwards since its Q1 earnings release,... A Perfect Storm | 70 | 5.7 |
Mod (Andy) note: The much anticipated BlackHat interview is here (see part 1... The BlackHat Interview: 2/4 | 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 | 58 | 5.58 |
Hey all,
Was reading through Flake's ER Q&A posted around the holidays and thought that his thread was fantastic. My experience / background is a little different than his was, so I wanted to start this thread as an opportunity to help provide at least some insight into other ER... Non-BB Equity Research Q&A with First Year Analyst | 56 | 5.5600000000000005 |
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) | 53 | 5.53 |
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 | 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 |
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 | 46 | 5.46 |
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 | 44 | 5.44 |
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.
JPM: Papagogo,
DB: rossgs210,
BarCap: algorhythm, 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 |
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 | 142 | 5.42 |
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 | 5.4 |
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 on this website for almost 6 years, and only recently re-started reading some of the posts. Most of them are pointless, but there is the odd post that... How to get into banking - and WSO myths... | 38 | 5.38 |
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 IBD full time offer. I was even considering delaying my graduation for one semester with the... 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 work in the equities sell-side business at a BB.
What would you like to know about Equity Sales / Research? | 35 | 5.35 |
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 | 135 | 5.35 |
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 |
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. | 132 | 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 BB in ER, and I just finished my 2nd week. I'm working under a group that I really like and I thought I would create this thread to help those out who want to... Observations of an Equity Research Associate | 31 | 5.31 |
This stunning footage was taken moments after Lazard brass announced an unprecedented entire weekend off for their analysts after a grueling 23-day back-to-back string of all-nighters. Most analysts were confused at first; one simply doesn't take both Saturday... Lazard Analysts Given ENTIRE Weekend Off | 31 | 5.31 |
Feel free to ask anything you'd like about investment banking. Open for questions. Ask a 2nd Year Analyst | 130 | 5.3 |
Below is the first installment of an interview with WSO Certified User and 2nd year banking analyst 'duffmt6'. Interview conducted by Asatar.
<a... Interivew with duffmt6, 2nd Year IBD Analyst, Part 1/2 | 29 | 5.29 |
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 | 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 |
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 |
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 BB and boutique level.
I don't have quite the negative view... Exit Ops - The End of The Show II | 26 | 5.26 |
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. | 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 |
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 | 24 | 5.24 |
So it has been four weeks since I left energy trading and opened my own shop.
While not trading I am still in the energy space. I thought the best thing was going to be making $$ and buying things. My name on the reserved parking while people calling me "sir" while I walked into the... What is the best thing about going out on your own and starting something... | 23 | 5.23 |
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 | 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 Merrill trading floor back in 1999. Now, that was one great trading floor, have you ever been there? It was like a big bowl in the financial center, with different levels of desks, so you could achieve something of a vista across the floor. It... 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-10-k), I'm going to put together a series of posts on how to evaluate a commercial bank. About me real quick, I work at a large US bank doing... 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 it but I'm sure there are some gems that people will appreciate.
Here's the link:
Trader's... 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 tell you I want to get an MBA so I can start a business raising puppies for poor schoolchildren in war-ravaged, droubt-ridden regions of East Africa,... 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 |
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 | 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 |
"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 |
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 | 219 | 5.1899999999999995 |
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 BO/MO roles at three different BBs prior to... Part 2: My Pursuit of Happyness | 18 | 5.18 |
I managed to pass Level II with a good breakdown (> 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 |
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 PE interview theme, I... Three Do's and Don'ts of Private Equity Interviews | 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 |
 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 private equity- shoot away.
Hi guys, I'm here today... Emerging Markets Investment Guide | 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:
Heres the amazon link if you wanna get yourself a hard copy for only $820:
http://www.amazon.com/Margin-Safety-Risk-Averse-Strategies-Thoughtful/dp/0887305105 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 |
Alright folks, I decided on the final version of this list. You can view it here: http://careers.cellardoar.com/db/
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... Final version: LDPs/rotations list | 13 | 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 |
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 Draper... 6 Tips for Networking Into a Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firm | 11 | 5.11 |
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 |
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 internship but open to good finance exp
4. Be a current senior
Bonus Points for U of Texas, Texas A&M, Tulane, U of Houston, TCU
PM me
and I... Energy Trading Job - Apply Now | 10 | 5.1 |
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 | 5.1 |
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 | 5.1 |
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 | 10 | 5.1 |
I'm at a BB (coverage group) looking to make a move onto the buy-side. Has any of heard of Morningwood Capital Partners? I have talked to the Director there (cold-call) and honestly he seemed like a real dick but said he admired my balls. said he wood move me onto to the next steps if I... Morningwood Capital Partners! HELP!!! | 9 | 5.09 |
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 BB / MM / boutique subsectors: The Big 4 Corporate Finance (M&A) groups.
Judging from the lack of resumes we receive for our open analyst... The Forgotten IBD: Big 4 Corporate Finance - Q&A | 109 | 5.09 |
Below is the second and final part of an interview with WSO Certified User and 2nd year banking analyst 'duffmt6'. Interview conducted by Asatar. <a... Interview with duffmt6, 2nd Year IBD Analyst, (part 2/2) | 9 | 5.09 |
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 | 5.09 |
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. | 109 | 5.09 |
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 |
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: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/wso-company-database]
So to go off Nouveau Richie's idea for lists of hedge funds, I am going to create a list of private equity frims. Post a city you are... Cap IQ List of PE Firms | 106 | 5.0600000000000005 |
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 |
In my last post, I looked at the negative effects on equity value of the threat of government expropriation (nationalization). In this one, I want to focus on the more benign... Governments and Value II: Subsidies and Value | 6 | 5.06 |
Ok, Im using Excel 2007, and I've had this problem once before in Excel 2003 but don't remember how I solved it or what the issue was.
In my DCF, I have data tables, obviously. When I have everything plugged in, and press and hold F9, my numbers flicker. The enterprise value changes,... What the UFCK is up with my Excel | 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 |
Fellow Primates,
We are looking for 1-2 students on each campus to help WSO in its sales efforts to student clubs/career centers, and overall promotion at your school both online and on the ground. Below is a description of the position and benefits...thanks in advance for your help! <a... WSO is Looking for Campus Reps For Summer/Fall 2013 (and beyond) | 104 | 5.04 |
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 |
I think we need a dedicated thread for huge ibanking nerds like myself who are always on the lookout for new and better keyboard shortcuts.
Some have been posted in node 881 (link below) and I will consolidate those shortcuts into this thread. I Keyboard Shortcuts - I'm a huge nerd | 102 | 5.02 |
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? | 202 | 5.02 |
My last two posts looked at two strains of value investing. In the first, passive screening, you look for mismatched companies that trade at low prices, while not being... Activist Value Investing: Be Your Own "Change" Agent | 1 | 5.01 |
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 | 101 | 5.01 |
hey guys, read this posting from this girl on Craigslist and one of the responses below....thought you would enjoy.
What am I doing wrong?
Okay, I'm tired of beating around the bush. I'm a beautiful
(spectacularly... Beautiful 25 Year Old Girl | 95 | 4.95 |
As much as I love Wall Street Oasis, I can't help but raise an eyebrow at how narrow some of the mindsets on this website are. I'm specifically talking about in regards to careers; obviously, this is a finance community-targeted website, but it seems unbelievable how many students go... Are You "IBD or Bust"? | 90 | 4.9 |
I know that there are quite a few fellow Ron Paul supporters here on WSO. So for those of you who missed last night's debate: I posted a collection of his responses. In my opinion, he absolutely killed it (since he actually received a decent amount of mic time for once).
<iframe... Ron Paul | 182 | 4.82 |
Mod note: Blast from the Past - "Best of Eddie" - This one was originally posted in March 2011.
The following is an exclusive guest post by Omer Rosen, author of the controversial <a... WSO Exclusive: Legerdemath - Anatomy of a Banking Trick | 81 | 4.8100000000000005 |
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 | 78 | 4.78 |
One of the biggest challenges you'll face in your first few years in finance is keeping your weight under control. When you're pulling 100 hour weeks and have $25 a night to spend on food, it's easy to start packing on the pounds.
Let's be clear, when you're turning... 3 Methods Bankers Use To Not Get Fat | 73 | 4.73 |
I am currently a physical energy trader at a major firm. I studied business and economics and did various internships through college one was with my current firm in a fundamentals research role, upon graduation in the height of the crisis they had an opening for a new trading analyst role and... Ask Me Anything: I'm a Physical Energy Trader | 71 | 4.71 |
I got a kick out of this...
Milton Friedman takes Q & A at Stanford University Dr. Milton Friedman Schools a Young Punk | 69 | 4.6899999999999995 |
So I've been casually dating 2 girls the last couple months, while sometimes taking other girls home when the analysts and I go out to lounges and bars, thinking how fucking awesome the life was and that I was too damn busy / too damn young to commit to anyone.
Last night I asked one of... I'm Done Being a Bro - Just asked her to be my girlfriend. Her reaction gave me the GREATEST FEELING IN THE WORLD. | 69 | 4.6899999999999995 |
All right, monkeys. Welcome to recruiting season. I am your interviewer.
No, seriously. I really might be your interviewer. This upcoming week your very own Auntie Bankerella will be hitting up several universities in a couple of different cities. I'll be giving presentations,... 5 ways to get dinged before the interview | 68 | 4.68 |
What would you say is the best font for a resume? I normally use Times New Roman but I have seen real good resumes in Calibri, and I was thinking about changing mine also. Which theme do you suggest I go with? Best font for a resume | 67 | 4.67 |
After seeing The Dark Knight Rises last Thursday night and spending the weekend reading about it and discussing it with friends, I've come to the realization that there are virtually no upcoming movies that I'm looking forward to.
Before I go any further, I want to emphasize how... Hollywood is Completely Bankrupt of Ideas | 164 | 4.64 |
Andy note: This post was recommended by the author as a good one to repost to homepage - "Since it is recruiting season I think this post might be a good one to bump, VFA will be recruiting at all the top campuses around the U.S."
Every year a large amount of... Say No To The Finance Job, Create Jobs Instead | 63 | 4.63 |
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. | 62 | 4.62 |
Great discussions on why Milty thinks drugs should be legal. He covers damn near every angle.
 Milton Friedman explains why drugs should be legal. | 159 | 4.59 |
2/25/13 update: Ampharos has now been working in consulting for 5+ months and said he can continue answering questions regarding MBB, recruiting, breaking in, day to day life, etc, ask away!
Hi Guys,
5+ months ago I started working at my top-choice MBB firm full time... MBB Consulting Q&A | 57 | 4.57 |
I think you guys will get a kick out of this, because I sure did. My boys are home for summer vacation. They're 7 and 9 years old, and they're about to enter second and fourth grade, respectively. We were walking home from lunch today when, out of the blue, my 9-year old asks me,... Academia Sinks Its Hooks In Young | 57 | 4.57 |
List, closed, thank you all =)
**Within 48 hours, we had 130+ applicants and 5 mentors.**
--Using this thread for a "What do you want to learn/What would help you?" thread.
We're going to invite recruiters, MDs, VPs, to speak to mentees, do resume reviews, share contacts,... Looking for 8 Mentees to place into internships/FT for IBD/Trading/Big 4 Ad/MBB Consulting | 156 | 4.5600000000000005 |
This is just fantastic. After sitting through Carl Levin and John McCain spewing a bunch of nonsense about how Apple doesn't pay enough taxes (despite being the #3 taxpaying company in America behind ExxonMobil and Chevron), Rand Paul lit them up about what a travesty it was to blame Apple... Rand Paul GOES OFF at Apple Hearing | 55 | 4.55 |
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: DEBT | 55 | 4.55 |
Looks like I took part in roughly 80 phone interviews during b-school, plus probably more that didn't make it to my calendar. Lot of practice. A little over 40 hours straight of the old smile-and-dial. Since we're headed into recruiting season now, thought I'd share what I... How to phone interview like a BSD | 54 | 4.54 |
It's midsummer in the city and the vaunted investment banking group outings are upon us. It's time to loosen the cravat and enjoy the smell of steamy, urine-coated Manhattan concrete while kicking back a few with your fellow indentured servants. Whether you're lucky enough to be invited to... What Does Your Drink Say About You? | 53 | 4.53 |
Whenever I read about the MSF on WSO I often see people commenting on it that have no idea what they are talking about. So I wanted to write this blog post to clear up some myths. My MSF experience is at the Villanova/Washington University/Vanderbilt/UT-Austin level.
The MSF is an excellent... Time To Respect The MSF: Top Five MSF Myths Debunked | 52 | 4.52 |
For a variety of reasons, both personal and professional, I've recently given a great deal of thought to the concept of motivation.
A friend of mine recently proclaimed his belief that what best motivates people are incentives. Money, power, title, and various other perks. He argued... What Motivates You? | 52 | 4.52 |
Some guys have trouble figuring out what they're worth from day to day, but for other guys it's easy. One such guy is Mike Merrill, a Portland software customer service rep who actually IPO'd his life at... Would You IPO Yourself for $1? | 52 | 4.52 |
Here's where that $250k notebook starts to earn its keep.

Set standards up front: "No swearing, no walking out." Write it down on the whiteboard so you can point to it if you need to.

Small talk is big talk.

Start... What b-school taught me about negotiations | 50 | 4.5 |
Here's what my boss said to me over a couple of beers. [quote] About half the industry (insurance) is made up of guys who couldn't cut it as bankers. When all else fails, you have dad call up his college bud at [insert name of commercial insurer here] and get you a cush 9-5 gig wining,... Banking on Insurance: Breaking in from the Insurance industry - fact or fiction? | 49 | 4.49 |
Desk boner etiquette | 48 | 4.48 |
[QUOTE]Let's say that the person you love the most has just been shot. He or she is lying in the street, bleeding and screaming. A guy rushes up and says, "Step aside." He looks over your loved one's bullet wound and pulls out a pocket knife -- he's going to operate... 6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person | 46 | 4.46 |
Breaking into VC/PE from undergrad is very challenging. I did it coming out of university (I cannot reveal which university since that will give me away...I'm on my firm's website). I also cannot reveal which VC fund for similar reasons, but I will tell you that it is an independent... Breaking into VC from undergrad...my story | 45 | 4.45 |
since plenty of people are interviewing, either for ib, pe or hf, figured it would be useful to start a thread where ppl could contribute their accounting/finance/modeling questions and answers. POPULAR ACCOUNTING/FINANCE QUESTIONS | 45 | 4.45 |
Just saw a freaking mouse walk leisurely in my $2,000 apartment!!!! this city is so god damn filthy. I walk around and it smells like dog piss everywhere, everyone is so rude, subways suck a**.....eh, that was me just venting, but I will probably live here for the next couple of years. Tomorrow... I F***ING HATE NEW YORK | 245 | 4.45 |
Discuss 48÷2(9+3) = ??? | 244 | 4.4399999999999995 |
I haven't watched a non-007 movie in almost a year, and over the weekend I finally broke that streak by watching "Dirty Harry" and "Magnum Force."
Needless to say, the movies had an effect other than making me wish that I was a cop working in 1970s San Francisco. Dirty Harry extols... "Unschool Yourself" | 43 | 4.43 |
One of my frat bros who graduated college 2 years ago is married. He married his high school sweetheart last year, at age 23. I went to his wedding, the girl was pretty hot (she was a solid 8), he told me he was the happiest man on the planet at the moment, etc.
One year later, he is... Wow... being married sucks | 342 | 4.42 |
Hey, monkeys. I've seen a bunch of questions out there in WSO-land about how to pick comps. Thought I'd share my two cents about how it works in my experience:

Pick the most sane, sensible comps using companies of similar size in the same... 7 steps to awesome comps | 42 | 4.42 |
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 | 4.41 |
Following up my my post from last Thursday , I'm here today with part two of my interview with Nefarious.
For... Q&A with Nefarious - a Strategy Associate at a Fortune 500 Company (Part Two) | 40 | 4.4 |
I am four days away from sitting for the Level 2 CFA exam for the third time. Am I prepared? I have no way of knowing. All I can say is that I'm better prepared than I was last year. (And last year, I was better prepared than I had been the year before that.)
I am humbled by how... CFA Musings Before the Exam | 39 | 4.39 |
In the wake of the Dallas Mavericks  seemingly improbable NBA title run I feel compelled to do a little preaching. For the credential part of my presentation I will say that I was never very good...  at anything that is. I never got a job people would... A King in Name Only | 37 | 4.37 |
Now when someone asks what WSO is, you can point them here. Hope you guys like it. Thanks to the guys over at Vismo Media -- they were awesome to work with and if you need any sort of promotional video made I highly recommend them.
New WSO Promotional Video | 35 | 4.35 |
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.
Fellow WSO Monkeys,
I have a treat for you this thanksgiving. I was able... Exclusive Edmundo Braverman Interview : Part 1 of 2 | 34 | 4.34 |
Now that Memorial Day Weekend has come and gone, it's about time for eager upper classmen to start their Summer Analyst stints. Having gone through a Summer Analyst program myself and having managed a number of SAs, both good and bad, I'd like to offer some advice to this year's class of... Summer Intern Pro-Tips and Pratfalls | 34 | 4.34 |
"It's not Christmas yet, what are you saying? It's not the most wonderful time of the year..."
But yes, my little monkey minions, it _is_ the most wonderful time of the year: recruitment season will be upon us in a mere week or... It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! | 34 | 4.34 |
I have reviewed a number of resumes from a recent WSO drop, and while I've received some really wonderful ones that I have passed on (at least one received an offer!), I had far too many that were just terrible, which should not happen given the wealth of advice WSO has to offer on resumes.... Resume Guidelines from a WSO Drop Reviewer | 33 | 4.33 |
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. | 33 | 4.33 |
Andy note: BIG thanks to bearing for doing the interview with me. bearing is a 3rd year equity research associate and long-time member of WSO. He's been a very helpful member in the forums and was nice enough to answer some questions for those interested in the equity research... Equity Research Q&A with bearing | 33 | 4.33 |
So, this is it for me. I accepted an offer and am done with SA recruiting. It definitely is a grueling process, but it pays off in the end with a bit of luck. Just wanted to share my advice from things I have learned throughout the process. By no means do I think I'm an expert or that I... 5 Key Points to Landing an SA Internship | 33 | 4.33 |
Everyday the newspaper tells the same depressing stories. Youth crime, corporate tax-avoidance, dishonest lawyers, selfish bankers, mass genocide, needless wars, countless violent acts of extreme hatred, rape, oppression and corruption, right down to the cheating... Why bother being good? | 33 | 4.33 |
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: WASTING ASSETS | 32 | 4.32 |
Hey fellow monkeys,
It seems like we get posts every month about the email address of certain banks. I decided to make a list of all the banks/hedge funds/prop shops
Here it is:
The BB's
Using John Smith
Goldman Sachs: [email protected]
Morgan Stanley:... Company Email Addresses Guide | 32 | 4.32 |
When I have 100-hr work weeks, I have one thing in mind: maximizing sleep. I've had lots of busy weeks like this, unfortunately, and I've perfected a routine that helps gets me through. From the outside, it appears as through I've had a full night of sleep and... Mastering the 100-hour work week - for females | 31 | 4.31 |
http://unratedperez.com/2010-12-22-natalie-portman-mila-kunis-sex-scene-in-black-swan Black Swan Seks Scene | 30 | 4.3 |
After a few years abroad, I had an offer to go back to my native country, Brazil, to do some PE work. That wasn't so long ago: the European economy was already showing signs of deceleration (oh, how I love those market-related euphemisms!). Actually, shit was hitting the fan real hard in our... City Smackdown - Part 3: São Paulo, Brazil | 30 | 4.3 |
I've had some super eventful last couple of weeks, dead laptop, shattered phone screen ,admissions events, canceled travel plans, canceled admissions events, midterms, some anxiety, stupid friends, stupider professors, where did my paycheck go? Was I supposed to feed the fish?... The Power of the Kitty | 30 | 4.3 |
The war between Carl Icahn and Bill Ackman over Herbalife has been heating up, and so far Icahn is coming out on top. It's recently been disclosed that Icahn's deploying an option strategy to increase his long leverage for less money, and it's pretty aggressive. It also reminds me... There's Short, Then There's REAL F'n Short | 30 | 4.3 |
I recently got a PM asking me these questions after my last thread (found here). Here was my response to the message, thought other monkeys might like to hear it too.... A monkey's questions answered by a banker | 30 | 4.3 |
There are 3 regrets I've had in job searching. What are yours?
1. My 3rd internship at BlackRock, I was putting bologna on my plate with Ralph Schlosstein (Ex-COO of BlackRock, now CEO of Evercore) next to me. "Hungry are we?" Me: "Yeah what's a poor college kid to... Regrets in job search: Make sure this doesn't happen to you. | 29 | 4.29 |
"You know, In The Flesh," a WSO monkey told me at a recent Happy Hour, "that gentleman's book is the real deal. I ordered that shit on Amazon as soon as I read your review. It's so right, man. I want to be like that: keep my word, honor my commitments, be... Being A Gentleman, Revisited | 29 | 4.29 |
Thought you monkeys would find this interesting; here's the notorious and abso-fucking-lutely legendary Corporate Raider Sir James Goldsmith on the Charlie Rose Show back in 1994. He attests that GATT (now the... The Raider VS the Economist | 28 | 4.28 |
DrPeterVenkman presents: An interesting interview with Frieds. Q's came from myself and other WSO writers. This... The Frieds Interview: PART THREE "MBA Is A Joke" | 28 | 4.28 |
I recently watched the entire first season of House of Cards, Netflix's first foray into original programming. All-in-all, it was pretty solid. The plot is full of twists and turns... House of Cards and the Future of Television | 28 | 4.28 |
Day in the Life: Commercial Real Estate Head Research Analyst
Since I will no longer be a senior analyst by the end of this month, I figured I'd do one of these for my current position and then do another in a month or two in order to compare and contrast. If... Day in the Life: Commercial Real Estate Head Research Analyst | 28 | 4.28 |
Today, I have a very special treat for monkeys that frequent WSO. This weekend, I had the pleasure of interviewing one of WSO's finest. Some say he's part Saint, part Guru, but If you have posted on the forums seeking some good ol' fashion advice, you probably know the name... Q&A with CompBanker, Part 1 | 27 | 4.27 |
You walk out of your superday feeling pretty good about your performance. You start recounting all of the questions you were asked and your amazing responses to said questions. "I nailed this one", you tell yourself. You reward yourself with a latte from the neighborhood... 'Tis the Season for Rejections | 27 | 4.27 |
Just some advice as we are getting a bit closer to intern season. Hopefully people will start adding more in the comments, I wanted to stay away from the obvious ones.
The Do Not's
1) Do not screw up a lunch order: I know, this is quite obvious, but I can't... Do's and Dont's as a Trading Intern | 27 | 4.27 |
David Tepper grew up in a middle class neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA. He became interested in the stock market after observing his dad, an accountant, trade stocks during the day. Following high school, he enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh, where he excelled. After Tepper graduated with... David Tepper Personally Earns $4 Billion for 2009 Performance | 26 | 4.26 |
I just wanted to reply to a few of the comments on my first post... http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/life-after-investment-banking
1. I don't know what else I could do
The picture on this post is an entry I wrote in my journal one hour after walking of the door of the bank.
Life after Investment Banking, part 2 | 26 | 4.26 |
Hi WSO,
In case anyone is interested in learning more about the Corporate Treasury function of large banks (i.e. nature of work, recruitment process, exit opps, comp etc.), I'm here to take some questions. Corporate Treasury VP taking questions | 25 | 4.25 |
Interning in IBD? Here are the steps to running a DCF like a seasoned analyst.
1: Build out a basic DCF template and enter what data you know for sure.
2: Have your associate get a sense from the senior guys as to what final number will make the deal work.
3: Populate the drivers... How to DCF like a rock star | 25 | 4.25 |
Not sure if this was already posted (did a search and didn't find anything).
Anyway, I thought it was pretty funny.
Awful attempt at networking | 25 | 4.25 |
After a tense period of 2 months and 9 grueling rounds of interviews, including an 8 hour modeling test, I finally did it! Got my offer letter today!
Background: Fresher Chartered Accountant, no prior modeling experience. Doesn't sound like the ideal resume, right? I agree. So I thought... PE cracked - Networked my way in via Facebook! | 25 | 4.25 |
Since I found out I'd been admitted to HBS in R1, others have asked me how I did it, how I got in. Usually, I say I hit refresh on my application status every 3 seconds until it changed to "admitted". I hesitate to answer seriously because I don't want anyone to follow my path as a... Admit One - My HBS Success Story | 25 | 4.25 |
Many of the questions that have come in surround recruiting for front office Wall Street careers from a non-target so we'll start with some ideas for recruiting, move on to interviewing, preparing for the job and finally long-term career management advice.
Before we begin, it has been... Stand Out as a Non-Target: Recruiting (Part 1 of 4) | 25 | 4.25 |
It's funny how a completely unrelated conversation connects to finance.
I was discussing with our man James Hunt the sad decline of the sports car industry, wherein once proud and truly special marques have lost their way and are now but shadows of their former selves. Complacent in... Are you special? Or just another wannabe? | 24 | 4.24 |
Dear Monkeys,
I am sorely disappointed in you...Well, not really. I don't care all that much. But I haven't ripped anybody a new one in a while and I do feel like hurling a few gentle insults while dispensing some useful advice to those who are willing to take it.
Join me on a... Weekend Wars: Search Function vs. Work Function | 24 | 4.24 |
Jeff Gundlach stirs things up at the New York Yacht Club, the "King of Bonds" telling a luncheon if he were master of the universe (isn't he?), he would be short Apple and long natural gas with 100X leverage.
I personally have a shit ton invested in nat gas, but what are your... Short Apple - Long Nat Gas | 124 | 4.24 |
I have slept with five different girls in the last year, most of which can be categorized as "some slut I met at a party." I expect the number of girls I sleep with on a yearly basis to increase exponentially once I reach legal drinking age, and I expect another exponential increase when I... Sluts vs. Serious Relationships | 123 | 4.23 |
When I entered college, I was excited about doing Big 4 accounting, putting in my time, leaving to industry or opening up my own CPA practice and living nice on 100-150k a year with my eventual family.
Fast forward to me discovering WSO: Gained great information and resources on anything and... WSO has ruined my concept of what a good salary is | 123 | 4.23 |
After years of perusing this site and offering nothing in return, I want to help where many of you have helped me. Most forums have some very solid participants, but equity research rendezvous doesn't have the same active volume. Where I can, I would like to help in this... Done Being a Leech | 22 | 4.22 |
I recently negotiated an offer and wanted to post about my positive experience. This is the first time I have negotiated an offer and in preparation I looked through the previous posts and asked for a bit of advice from SirTradesaLot for help in the process.
Negotiating an offer is like a... Negotiating Offer before, during, and after interview (Follow up) | 22 | 4.22 |
Mod Note (Andy): this is a syndication from  edmundconway.com

There follows a letter to Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple:

Dear... Dear Apple, I'm leaving you | 21 | 4.21 |
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... THE GOVERNMENT | 21 | 4.21 |
The guy in the apartment above me left his cellphone in his apartment last night and his alarm was set for 2AM. So, from 2AM until god knows when I was listening to an iPhone alarm. Laying there, sleepless, my mind started to wander, which prompted me to write this.
A Networking Tale... | 21 | 4.21 |
We have done some quality recruiting the past few years. We have a great intern in the group this summer; a major overachiever, picks up things on the run and is always down to get a drink after work. Our first year analyst pool is equally as solid. I have come to realize... Students: Network with Associates and VPs (not MD's) | 20 | 4.2 |
Mod Note: Lone Wolf is the newest addition to our contributing author team. He is an independent trader/consultant, and has held several different trading positions including floor trader, liability and proprietary trader as well as Head liability trader and market maker. This spans... Want to be a Trader? 11 thoughts to get you started | 20 | 4.2 |
In less than 72 hours...
I just can't take you...these guys are on here to help and all you tell them to do is shut it...granted that you might have been attacked first...but that's how guys are when trying to defend their... How do you go to almost the top of the Monkey Shit board at WSO? | 19 | 4.19 |
Hey all,
I was fortunate enough to recently get a full-time offer at a BB in NYC as an Assoc. for class of 2010 in M&A and I wanted to share the experience. I definitely did this in a "non-traditional" manner and thought that it might be of some help for many of those on this... Don't lose hope guys - from top to bottom and back again | 19 | 4.19 |
It's no secret that trading floors tend to be meat markets. So when I first started working down there I already had high expectations for what goes on there. One thing there was no shortage of - creepy old guys and a disregard for all those lessons we learn from those he sexual harassment... Top 5 "HR Complaint-worthy" lines heard during first months on the trading floor | 19 | 4.19 |
Andy note: Human is away this week, so he asked me to syndicate this helpful post from his blog thesummereffects.wordpress.com
My name is Summer. I am the eldest son in a family of five with one sister and then one brother. I came from a... Day 6: 10 Important Life Lessons | 19 | 4.19 |
Andy note: SirTrades' decided to get deeper into the story so we're making it a trilogy. Enjoy part two below, part 3 is coming up next Wednesday, and make sure to <a... Q&A Interview with SirTradesaLot, Part 2/3 | 19 | 4.19 |
While enjoying a fine chat with another Certified User, an interesting topic for discussion came up. We were talking about watching friends and coworkers enter relationships, get married, and move away—including a whole bunch of them in the last couple of years alone.
"It's funny,... Recessions = Breakups? | 19 | 4.19 |
Perhaps one of the coolest guys from the pocket protector posse, James Simons has become an absolute legend in our world of finance, with his army of physicists and mathematicians at the Quant juggernaut Ren Tech, he has beaten and wowed the street year in and year out, showing the world the... The God of Quants speaks | 18 | 4.18 |
I was pretty nervous my first day in the business. I'll admit it. Before I got hired, I thought I knew a good deal about the market. Filing into that conference room with the rest of my training class at 5:30 am, I realized I didn't know shit.
I'd passed the Series 7 about ten... 30-30-30 | 18 | 4.18 |
I wanted to take this time to announce one of the latest additions to our community: The WSO Finance Dictionary.
Believe it or not, one intern from the UK has built this entire dictionary from scratch. ... WSO Finance Dictionary is Here | 18 | 4.18 |
Would you like to be a wildly successful bulge bracket (BB) trader having more money than you have time to spend? Connected to top investment bankers from shenanigans of Wall Street parties and a living testament to the high-fashion lifestyle! I know I thought like... Why Sales & Trading Is Dead As We Knew It | 18 | 4.18 |
There are many different ways to determine the value of a company during an M&A transaction. Most of the time, the purchasing price is based on some sort of multiple (such as Firm Value / EBITDA).  But what is a company's real EBITDA?  Let's assume that the buyer's... Normalized EBITDA: How to pay less for the same company! | 18 | 4.18 |
<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PTUY16CkS-k?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess"... QE2, The Video: Bad Economics Made Easy | 17 | 4.17 |
Back on the topic of what the composition of the labor force says about our society, the New York Times recently put out this <a... Grandpa And Grandma Are Taking Our Jobs | 16 | 4.16 |
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) | 16 | 4.16 |
"Which associate career should I pursue: Private Equity or Hedge Fund?" Second-year investment banking analysts who are just entering the associate recruiting cycle consistently pose this question to me. Since I was in their shoes not so long ago, I can empathize with the conundrum these... A day in my life as a Hedge Fund Equity Research Analyst | 15 | 4.15 |
Last week we sent our very own mascot out to OWS to charm the crowd, pass out some bananas, engage in some conversation and spread the message: "Wall Street Monkeys are not part of the 1%"
Best videos of the bunch are below, and if you haven't seen the photos yet, see our... WSO Monkey at OWS Videos | 15 | 4.15 |
Maybe I have a slightly different perspective on this topic because I grew up literally in the middle of a corn field and the extent of my childhood multicultural experience was talking to the 4 or 5 Hispanic kids in my grade whose parents worked at the canning factory during harvest season, but... Study Abroad | 15 | 4.15 |
Dear fellow monkeys,
I've been meaning to write this for a month or so now, but hadn't gotten around to it. The reason I felt I had to was because it could be of some use and/or inspiration to many of you out there still looking for a job, and just so you know, there is hope for... 1st Big Boy Paycheck - Keep your heads up! | 14 | 4.14 |
No matter what sort of game you play, once you have been around the block enough times you are bound to develop a  go-to-move. Jordan had his fade away jumper, Mariano Rivera has his cutter, Icahn has the corporate raid and Clinton had that thing with his thumb and fist. It... Eff George Pay Girl | 14 | 4.14 |
Lately, I have been noticing a ton of posts regarding the GMAT and MBA applications in general. Most of those who inquire about these topics are concerned their lower than average undergraduate GPA. The MBA admissions process for a candidate with a low GPA can be a trying time, but preparing... Bad GPA Fixes - MBA Admissions | 14 | 4.14 |
have screened 20+ sa applicants, want to point out a few general things that the young folks out there should take note of. of course different interviewers have different styles, but I think the general things should stay general among different interviewers. I am mainly referring to the 1st... General advice to SA who are interviewing | 13 | 4.13 |
I wish I didn't have to post this reminder to everyone, but it seems as though it is necessarily. When you decide you want advice and elect to send a private message, PLEASE do not copy and paste your message and PM it to every user with X,XXX bananas. If you want advice from a... Private Message Etiquette | 13 | 4.13 |
They say a picture's worth a thousand words.
Well, I'm feeling chatty tonight...
Enjoy what's left of your day...
 9am
<img... Monkey's Day in the Jungle | 13 | 4.13 |
Applying to Columbia Business School? The Clear Admit School Guide to Columbia is FREE until 12pm EDT on Wednesday, October 17! This 37-page guide is filled with detailed program information organized in an easy-to-read format. Inside, you'll also find comparative graphs and charts --... Columbia School Guide - Free Until 12pm ET Today! | 13 | 4.13 |
There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When The Street must come together as one
There are layoffs happ'ning
And it's time to <a... We Are The Street: USA for Wall Street | 13 | 4.13 |
Hopefully this is helpful to applicants.
I just concluded the third and final round of interviews for an associate summer internship at McKinsey and thought I would share my experiences and thoughts on the process.
First a few disclaimers. 1-I didn't get an offer. 2-This will be... McKinsey application process | 12 | 4.12 |
* 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.