Brand new analyst about to start my first role next week. Best practices/tips on taking notes?

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Don’t take shit from anyone. When that partner gives gives you busy work bs you March right up and tell them to stuff it.

funnylikeuplifting

No question is stupid your first couple of weeks, so don’t be shy to ask anything!

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No question is stupid in general

Source: me, on my project this week

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Record from the laptop.

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No, it probably isn’t legal. From a client perspective or with your colleagues

Take as much as you can. Write your questions down so you dont forget

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Write down as much as you can as you hear it. Don’t worry about formatting/spelling/abbreviations- you can fix that stuff later on. As someone with a poor memory, I try to focus on getting the key content (actions, key takeaways, next steps, questions) down first and everything else later.

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When you are writing you are not listening- listen first - jot notes later

Try to contribute to every meeting

This is good, but also know your place. I made the mistake of trying to add something while I was taking notes during the lead account partner’s meeting with the client project sponsor. Won’t make that mistake again.

How do you record from your laptop?

Search “recorder” or “voice recorder” in the magnifying glass. Open it. Press record.

Most important things to capture are: action items (and responsible individuals/parties), key points, takeaways, and client concerns

Yes, action items are key. I always put a big asterisk next to anything I need to follow up on so I don’t drop the ball. I go back through my notebook every day or two and transpose actions to a things to do list. Scribble the things to do list in the margins amongst your meeting schedule. (Use a planner and use a notebook... old school... no technology during meetings... because (a) writing in a notebook is easier and quicker and (b) it makes you look distracted if your face is buried in a computer)

I use OneNote and transitioned away from hand written notes entirely. Super helpful to make tabs by date, folders by project, and easy to Ctrl + F.

Kind of unrelated but if you’re starting out, highly recommend keeping a “work diary” in word/excel to jot down things like “new stuff I learned,” “things I struggled with,” “VENT,” etc. I try to fill it whenever I remember and looking over last 2 years it’s incredible to realize how much I’ve learned/grown! It’s easy to forget when you’re in the thick of things, and can also be handy for self-reflection/recruiting prep when you’re ready to move on. Good luck!

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