Lifestyle survey in opportunistic / special sits
Currently at a shop where we are looking across cap stack and can do stressed BSL to direct lending to hybrid credit/equity and lean more on the SS side. Currently an associate getting worked. Hours unpredictable, frequent weekends, etc.
For others in this space (specifically opportunistic) what is your expirience like? Total hours / weekends / made up timelines / etc.?
Wondering if going to a credit HF would be better and swap deal stress for performance stress and at least have my time back.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know about lifestyle in opportunistic/special situations and credit hedge funds:
Opportunistic/Special Situations Lifestyle:
Credit Hedge Fund Lifestyle:
Key Considerations:
Ultimately, the decision depends on your priorities—whether you value more predictable hours or are comfortable with the performance-driven environment of a credit hedge fund.
Sources: Credit Hedge Fund opportunities, Credit Hedge Fund opportunities, Investment Banking Hours - What to Expect?, Banking vs. The Buy-side: 10.5 considerations, PSA: Consider Regional Boutiques. Good Comp + Lifestyle
Like obv there’s gonna be some sweatiness and I know it’s never gonna be like LO asset management - or some super chill job. but trying to ascertain if others in opportunistic land are surrounded by more “investor” types where really only investing / performance matters vs the unbearable life long banker personalities so many of us know and love
if looking for more process driven versus actually having to think like an investor type and be able to find alpha am I better off not touching opportunistic / going to a larger fund / or it’ll come with time ? feel like I’m just average intelligence
How big is the fund roughly?
Not including for anonymity but can say deal teams run lean, fundraising has been solid, and deal flow is constant
Bump
Bump
Have only consistently worked weekends in a very, very lean deal team scenario.
The biggest culprits for lifestyle failure are usually 1) bloated / poorly planned infrastructure and 2) lack of communication from IC on prevailing target mandates leading to everyone wasting time. You should have very little patience for both of these issues. It is not rocket science.
Having experienced this for most of my career, it is 100% possible for you to work a consistent 60-ish hours outside of deal sprints if you have a competent management team.
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