An ideal schedule is the next logical step to make use of the insights I gathered from the time audit last week about my time spending patterns. It goes hand in hand with a time audit. Having an ideal schedule doesn’t mean that you have to stick to it all the time. Every day is [...]

Long hours are a given once you commit to being a financial analyst. Still, do you sometimes wonder where your day has gone before you even get to start the most important task on your agenda?
I am starting a time audit for myself this week. It’s basically a log tracking my activities in 15-minute slots [...]

I am privileged to debut our Expert Interview with Tom Budinger, Partner of The Curran Group. In the interview, Tom discusses the essential qualities he looks for in candidates. Among the many qualities mentioned are:
• Passion for the business
• Independent judgment
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• [...]

Have you ever had one of those days when you just can’t get motivated? Today is one of those days for me. I’ve been sitting at my computer for a while, trying to write this blog post. No matter what, my head is blank, absolutely void of ideas.
I guess my mind want to take a [...]

Has it ever occurred to you that your life is like an investment portfolio with you as the portfolio manager?
The objective of this life portfolio is to maximize achievement and enjoyment in all areas of your life as you progress through different career and life stages. This means that your investment strategy will need to [...]

As a financial analyst, you will be come across plenty of networking occasions. Do you get intimidated in business networking with higher ups or clients you’ve never met? Do you sometimes feel like you don’t know what to say or how to behave?
Some people have a knack for socializing. If you’re not one of them, [...]

I published this post originally on 4 June. I had attached a video showing an office worker turning violent and attacking co-workers under extreme work stress. I received feedback that the source of this video is questionable.
I’d like to ensure that all the information I provide in this blog is accurate to the best of [...]

What are the qualities that characterizes an outstanding financial analyst? I came across the careers section in the website of a bulge bracket investment bank. It features the profiles of hundreds of its people, across regions, business units all the way from entry positions to the top.
I did a quick study of what these financial [...]

Financial analysts seem to have a never-ending to-do list. Do you ever feel like, after long hours of work, your brain is so stuffed you can’t think anymore? Do you find yourself always caught up in the doing and that there is never enough time for thinking?
That was exactly my feeling a few days ago. [...]

In the world of financial analysts, there is little room for mistakes. I agree with the importance of accuracy when working with numbers. Number mistakes can be costly not only to the firm. I’ve seen more than one trader lost their jobs for keying in an extra zero. I’ve also seen equity analysts fall off [...]