Equity & Equity-linked ED and the search never ends...

ECM & ELCM (anything structured) banker who was let go from their EB firm back in January is on the hunt with minimal traction after speaking with a slew of banks across the street from BB to EB to MM. Have traction at a LMM firm, but a little hesitant to make that transition as folks have told me its a hole that is tough to get out of, when things turn around. Been exploring stuff on the institutional and buy-side / corporate finance / treasury / real estate and other cap markets opportunities, but the struggle is real. Everyone wants "the perfect candidate" who checks every single box. Seems like this market favors the company vs. the candidate. Even some folks are like we want to hire, but not right now. There's freezes everywhere with potential for more cuts if these markets continue to stall. Wish it were 2021 where folks just needed bodies to help manage the flow! Believe those days are long gone, and will never return.

Would appreciate anyone's tips or advice on how to land something decent in this market.

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