How bad is RX really?

Asso 1 here who has the opportunity to join its RX Group internally coming from more of a M&A and Debt Advisory background.

It's one of the leading boutiques but I had limited touch points with this team and don't want to ask straight about the hours and WLB before joining.

So how bad is it? What should I expect between Monday to Friday, what to expect on the weekends? Will the Asso title save me even if I have to pick up some new stuff in the beginning?

21 Comments
 

It can be horrendous at times. Other times not as bad. But mostly horrendous

 
Most Helpful

I worked in Rx and did some debt advisory work, so I can opine on some of the differences. I obviously don’t know your team, so I cannot speak on hours

(1) Legal - In Rx, you will work with lots of legal documentation and processes- While ultimately lawyers do the drafting on transactions a lot of time is spent around working out the specific mechanisms of covenants, baskets, exchanges, etc., on which banker input is needed - You‘ll need to understand legal drivers of transactions (security, implementations, etc.) and „novel“ concepts like LMEs, etc. and be able to assess their risks- Depending which rating-spectrum of the debt advisory you worked on, some of these may not be new to you, but they will most likely take up more of your % time

(2) Messiness

- Restructurings can be very messy, with creditor-infighting, valuation disputes, etc.- Ultimately, both parties need to make concessions in some way, so there will always be loss, in addition to the pre-existing catalyst- In addition, Rx people (bankers, funds, lawyers, etc.) tend to be a bit on the spectrum- This creates a very messy and emotional environment

Consider these points when thinking about your choice. I ultimately thought the legal & credit work made it more interesting than pure DA, but YMMV

 

Idk man - why would you want to spend your life working with failed companies. You need something that fills your soul to wake up in the morning, at least one tiny bit. I think restructuring is the bottom of the barrel. I would stay in M&A

I have a friend who was at HL RX and life was horrendous, as well as extremely toxic environment.i was in a coverage team at an EB and while my team was already toxic, I remember thinking that was next levels (not helped by the fact that people go nuts on calls, because of course what do you expect when you’re working with a failed business)

 

EVR RX Typical (50-60%):
M-F: 9-10/11 + some wrap up work
Wkend: 10hr

When there are deal sprints/ unlucky timing/ working w inefficient team (40-50%):
M-F: 9-12
Wkend: 15-20hr

 

On the RX consulting side, but not bad. I think I get fairly compensated for the work I put in. It it extremely variable though, I've had a 100 hour or so week immediately followed by a 50 hour week on multiple engagements, so that can be a little disorienting. But, the work is interesting and varied, so I can't complain.

 

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