Culture vs. Work/Life Balance
I know that a lot of people describe banks in terms of their culture. However, when using the word “culture” does it refer to the relationships between the bankers and seniors and fair compensation and just a general good vibe? Or do you think many people confuse the word “culture” with work/life balance? For example, if one says that bank has good culture, are they only referring to the balance?
A follow up question on that. What constitutes good work/life balance in IB? What kind of hours would the look like? Like protected Saturdays?
I also don’t get the after hours of banking. Like getting off at 1am and then going drinking with your buddies. Wouldn’t you just want to go to sleep after working so long? Wondering if someone can explain that to me. Maybe I don’t get it because I’m a homebody!
It means all of the above.
Yes, the after hours of banking is crap people say. I don't know anyone stupid enough to go out for drinks at 1am after you're done with work. Everyone books it straight home to watch Neflix for an hour before realizing it's 4am and then feeling like crap the next day. Might have been better to just go out with the work homies anyayw.
The only people who go drinking after late nights at work are absolute psychos who think it makes them look like a hardo (or who want to even look like a hardo...). Especially after your first year wears you down, all you want is to go home and sleep.
For most, culture isn't referring to "work-life balance" in particular, but rather how juniors are treated, how people interact with each other, diversity, mentorship culture, etc.
I have yet to see anyone actually go out at 1am after working, I don't think that's really a thing.
I think culture mainly refers to the senior / junior relationships and how team members interact with each other. Having an enjoyable (or at least tolerable) working relationship with your deal team can make a MASSIVE difference in your analyst experience. I'd personally sacrifice work-life balance for a team with a positive culture.
Yes, if you think culture is overrated at a bank, then you have never done IB before. I mean it. Argue with me. You are wrong.
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