Leaving early - am I screwed?

Left after 6 months at top-BB firm (think GS,MS,ML,JPM). Couldn't handle the hours (110+ every week and no days off during weekends). I really enjoyed the work and performed very well but couldn't physically handle the sleep depreviation and went back to my previous position as an Associate at an in-house M&A team of a +50 bn $ corporate. Have total 2 years experience at in-house M&A and plan to do at least another year + 6 months experience at BB. My question is as follows; Am I screwed going for a PE-,HF- or an Associate/3rd year analyst position at a "more relaxed" bank/team? Is quitting early something that would severely damage my future options?

3 Comments
 

Just to clarify - 2 years at an European Large-cap corporate development/M&A team. But how do I spin it? Truth was the terrible hours, as I mentioned (110+) but I'm certain I could handle a 80-90 hour week which seems more common at some of the other banks...but it is hard to use the hours as an excuse for quitting - if I would apply for a 3rd year or Associate position at another bank I guess that would lead to a definite ding...How would you play it?

 

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