8 tips on how to avoid work as an analyst

We ran a survey of our readers and colleagues, and here is a compilation of their most valuable tips on how to avoid work, leave a good impression, and retain some sanity as an investment banking analyst. Junior bankers and not the ones that will close deals or bring business, therefore, impressions you leave will be a big driver in your year end appraisal, as opposed to actual revenue generated.

# 1 Do not always answer your phone, and let the calls go to voicemail or let people emails you so you get time to prepare an appropriate strategy and subsequent reponse.

As an investment banking analyst, you will receive dozens of calls everyday. It is perfectly fine not to answer your phone immediately, especially if you are busy on some research or financial modelling. Sometimes, from seeing the number of the person that is calling you, you can guess their requests and what they will ask you to do, and prepare yourself better by calling them back after a few minutes. If they cannot reach you, they will either leave a message to your assistant or send you an email. Quite often this is a wise strategy as you do not want to be caught unprepared.

#2 have a "busy" desk, with many files visible on it

Being an extremely neat person, I used to have a very clean desk that looked quite empty. This generated many negative comments such as: "your desk is so clean, we need to get you busy working on more projects" or "you desk is so empty, aren't you working on anything at the moment?". While this is a totally unfair comment, perceptions unfortunately do matter and I now leave piles of readings, folders and coffee cups lying on my desk, with the names of the projects I am working on displayed quite clearly. This way, other bankers can immediately see what I am working on and can clearly see that I am busy.

#3 Never let other people know when a project is complete

When you finish a project, there is no real need for you to go to your associate or VP and let them know that you are done. Naturally, if they need your help, they will come to you. Right after closing a deal or finishing a project, you are allowed to take some "rest" for a couple of days usually. Don't lie about what you are doing though, because the consequence will be that you will be assigned a lot of work at all times as "punishement"!

#4 Don't get caught having coffees or lunches outside

Be very careful when having coffees or lunches outside the office. We often hear stories of analysts that were caught in a coffee shop or having lunch outside by their MDs or VPs. The ultimate consequence will be an email assigning you with more work within a few hours!! Try to stay withing the office to have coffees and limit your lunches to the canteen or to takeaway lunches eaten at your desk.

#5 Walk quickly and hurriedly as if you are rushing off to a meeting, especially when you are walking past your staffer or MDs office

If you are walking around to have a chat with friends and colleagues, it is usually wise to walk fast and carry a notebook when you do so. You do not want to leave the impression that you have free time to chat around. while this is perfectly acceptable, the above advise is the safest option.

#6 If you know that your MD always comes in at a particular time during the weekend, you could make an appearance during that time too!

If you have to come over the weekend and you know that some of the seniors are going to be in the office too, it would be wise to schedule your work so that you will be in at the same time. This will not only demonstrate your hard work, but this may also give you the chance for some more "informal networking" with the seniors, whis is always something very positive.

#7 Never shut off your computer if you head off early - leave the screen saver on if you can.

This is a very common analyst "trick". If you leave early, try to leave a jacket on your chair and so not switch off your computer, and f you can, even turn off the screensaver.

#8 Follow the "informal rules" of the office

If your team comes at 9.30 in the morning, come in at 9.15 and be there slightly before people come in. It will only cost you 15min of sleep, but will make a lasting impression. Also, as an analyst, it will never be acceptable for you to leave before 9pm, unless you jsut had an all-nighter the day before or if you just closed a mega-deal. Pay attention to you team's informal rules, culture and habits, and make sure you follow them closely.