Lifestyle groups?

Super burnt out top-bucket first-year (now a second-year I guess) at a sweaty but respected group at a top BB.  

I genuinely like the work of building CIMs, working with the company, etc... but the hours are just too much. 

I made it work (very well), but every day I think about quitting - even though, again, I do like the work - I just can't handle the detrimental effects of constant 80+ hours on my health / relationships.

Are there any groups out there where it's like banking, but <60 hours on a normal week?

Definitely willing to take a paycut / prestige cut... I just don't really know in what direction to start looking here.

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My understanding is that international European banks can be a starting point, since they have friendlier vacation policies too. For networking calls, if you don’t want to directly ask for hours in an intro call, then you can ask them if they are in a hybrid set-up or if they are allowed to work from home in the evenings. Furthermore, casually asking weekend plans and trying to see if they can catch a breather then is a nice indicator.

Also, I’m curious if you recruited on-cycle for PE or an interested in moving to the buy-side, since I’m wondering how you are planning to navigate that. Also, capital markets IB like DCM is a possibility. You can spend some time in that setting and work your way up. Then, move into leveraged finance/ a coverage group as you get more senior and generally have more control over your schedule.

Once you get that initial stamp of prestige from your undergrad and/ or your first job, it really looks like the move is to optimize WLB. At the end of the day, longevity in a finance career is absolutely critical. Wishing you the very best moving forward!

 

Sounds like you're a "star" analyst, or at least would be seen as one from a lower tier bank's viewpoint. Being the most reliable junior banker (typically as an Associate) at a small boutique can be surprisingly lucrative as there's major incentive to hang on to you (because a lot of boutique Analysts/Associates just suck). 

That's assuming you're cool with downgrading your rep from Top Bucket at a BB to a hugely appreciated Analyst at a bank nobody knows. 

When I say boutique I don't necessarily mean a complete shit-shop; but guys like Union Square Advisors, LUMA Partners, etc. in NYC who reliably crank out meaningful deals. 

 

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