I’m wrapping up my first year as an analyst and everyone keeps talking about the promotion to associate, but nobody’s giving straight answers. Like, is it automatic after two years? Do you need a sponsor? Can you actually get promoted in 18 months, or is that a myth? And how much of it depends on your performance versus who you know?
I’ve heard stories about analysts who crushed it analytically but got passed over for soft reasons. I’ve also heard about people who made associate by basically building relationships with the right senior bankers. I genuinely don’t know what the real bar is.
Also, what happens if you don’t get promoted? Do you get quietly pushed out, or can you stay as an analyst and reapply next cycle? Are there consequences for not making it the first time around?
I want to set realistic expectations for myself and figure out what I actually need to be doing right now—beyond just putting in the hours—to make sure I’m on track. What does the actual promotion process look like from the inside?
here’s the truth nobody tells you: it’s not automatic. you need a sponsor. someone senior has to fight for you in the room. great work on deals means nothing if nobody knows who you are. the analysts who get promoted are the ones who built relationships, showed they could handle complexity, and had someone backing them. politics is real.
18 months? sure, if you’re killing it AND have multiple partners wanting you. most people it’s 2+ years. and if you don’t promote, yeah, it sucks. you either leave or you’re basically on thin ice. the firm usually wants you out if you’re not moving up. they don’t keep analysts around to mentor them—that’s not how it works.
wait so i actually need to intentionally build relationships? i thought just doing good work was enough 
thats kinda scary but good to know early on
so like… how do u even approach a senior banker about this stuff without seeming weird? asking for a friend lol
thanks for keeping it real. def changes how im thinking about my next year
does this mean i should be asking for feedback from partners more? or is that annoying?
On timeline: most firms have formal promotion cycles. Two years is the standard minimum, with some associates made at 18 months if circumstances align perfectly. If you don’t promote on first cycle, you’re not immediately pushed out, but you enter a second window. A second promotion miss usually signals exit. This isn’t official policy, but culturally it’s understood. The best strategy is deciding by month 12 if you’re genuinely on track, and if not, planning your exit intentionally rather than waiting for the firm to nudge you out.
Document your impact. Keep a file of deal contributions, client feedback, and complex work you’ve led. In promotion discussions, sponsors reference these specifics. Having clear examples of where you added value—not just hours worked—is what moves the needle in conversations about readiness.
You’re already asking the right questions, which means you’ll be intentional about building the relationships you need. That puts you ahead! Keep crushing it!
The fact that you’re thinking about this at year one is amazing. You’ve got time to build momentum and show your value. Associate level is totally within reach for you!
I got promoted at two years, and honestly, it was because I built a real relationship with my group’s MD. Started with just asking smart questions in meetings, then eventually grabbing lunch every few weeks to talk about the industry and career paths. He saw how much I cared, and when promotion time came around, he went to bat for me. The formal stuff—deal metrics, hours, all that—probably mattered, but the relationship is what tipped it.
If you don’t promote first cycle, it’s rough. Guy I knew didn’t make it year two, tried again year three, and ended up leaving anyway. The window closes pretty fast. My advice is use your first year to signal that you’re serious and worth investing in.
Most bulge bracket banks promote roughly 60-70% of analysts at the two-year mark, with the remainder either exiting or staying as extended analysts. Promotion at 18 months occurs in approximately 5-10% of cases and is heavily correlated with specific group performance and individual visibility with senior leadership. The promotion process is typically formalized in Q4, with decisions made by MD/Partner level based on input from managing directors and VPs who’ve directly supervised your work.
Key metrics that typically factor into promotion discussions: deal count and complexity, client interaction, internal reputation, technical skill assessments (if used at your firm), and most importantly, sponsor advocacy. Analysis of promotion data shows that having identifiable senior champion increases promotion likelihood by roughly 40-50%. Without sponsor advocacy, even strong contributors face longer odds.
Post-promotion delays: analysts who miss first cycle and stay on have roughly a 50% promotion rate second cycle, with the remainder typically departing within 12 months. The exit risk accelerates significantly by year three. This aligns with most firms’ internal rotations and bandwidth for managing extended analyst pool.