Take a job I have on the table or wait for a better…
So I have a job locked in for ER… not terribly excited for it. I’m interviewing with another significantly better firm (BB). They said they wouldn’t proceed with the interview until Q1 next year but were still interested and likely have a spot for me. Issue is I’m fresh out of college with no job and would like to start working but don’t want to wait til Q1 if it happens.
The second form said today if we give you an offer next year and you’ve been working at the firm you have an offer with for a few months would you leave the job. Every bit of me wanted to say yes, but the correct answer is no I don’t think it’d be fair to that form to leave so early.
The offer I have rn is all in at around $100,000 very low cost of living city.
The firm im interviewing for is in NY and all in pay is $160,000 and would provide better exit opportunities given the brand name to HF’s or top MBA programs.
What do I do???
Bump
In my opinion I’d take what’s available today, even if you have to answer “yes” to that question. There’s no guarantee that the better job will be available (and also offered to you) in Q1, and that firm can’t just ask you to wait with no income until then.
I was in a very similar situation post college. I was interviewing with a firm that I really liked but the interview process dragged on for months. In the meantime I was running out of money and was sleeping on friends couches after moving back to NYC. I got an offer from a company ("gap company") that wasn't exactly what I wanted but I needed to establish some level of stability.
It was a struggle trying to engage myself in that job, all the while hoping that the other opportunity would come through. I even called in sick multiple days within the first 2 weeks of being on the job in order to continue interviewing. I was setting an absolute horrible precedent as a new employee and that really weighed on me. Ultimately I got the offer I was long awaiting and had to have a painful conversation with the company I was leaving 3 weeks after starting.
Point is, I was WAY too concerned about how the gap company would perceive me and allowed that to make me feel like shit for a few weeks. You have to look out for yourself, first and foremost, always. You're most likely an at-will employee and you're crazy to think that a company wouldn't fire you in a second if needed. It's okay to feel uncomfortable about the situation but definitely do not let loyalty to a company interfere with self-preservation.
PM the firm name of the current job offer. If it's at a place that doesn't emphasize ER or is steadily declining, you shouldn't take it. Judging by 100k all-in plus VLCoL, it can't be good. Is it a southern city that's not one of the major ones (Dallas, Atlanta, etc.)? Ray Jay is probably fine, if not... that's a pass.
Your top priority is to roll with the better analyst who can coach you and treats you well. It's hard to advise without knowing how far apart are the two firms in terms of reputation and scale.
Like CharlesCheese said, everyone for themselves in this business (if my Analyst was going to take a head of IR job, he wouldn't consider my goals), so if you want to start on sell-side ASAP and the better role comes along, don't hesitate to make a move again.
I’m curious - since you mentioned IR exit… for someone at junior level (3-5 YOE) is IR (at buy side fund not public IR) or sell side research a better career choice in terms of WLB and comp growth? Assuming no desire to manage P&L one day
Ut quo quisquam recusandae suscipit eum nulla rerum numquam. Consequatur minus corporis ratione ut enim et magnam quis. Ab voluptatem nihil voluptas maxime cumque omnis quis eaque. Omnis eligendi repudiandae quis. Ea vel vel iste deleniti enim necessitatibus totam. Repellendus et eaque in pariatur occaecati quos soluta.
Ipsum quisquam eius voluptatem odit velit aut earum. Rerum dignissimos delectus non et suscipit. Eveniet nesciunt itaque optio magnam. Doloremque consequuntur sit commodi eos repellendus.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...